Koloa Lookout and Landing

A Walk to the Sea - Pāhoehoe and ‘a’ā

The highest Tsunami to hit Kauai was the second highest to hit any Hawaiian Island, 53 feet (16 meters) in 1957. Our rental is at 110 feet, 33 meters above sea level, twice as high as the highest tsunami to date. The walk from here to the sea is mostly downhill, and crosses a golf course at the 18th tee:

The homes here are well maintained, and many have beautiful landscaping

These are Plumeria, used to make leis. They have a wide array of colors and aromas, adding a wonderful scent to the air now.

Also known as Frangipani, they range from small trees to low shrubs. Native to the American neotropics, they are endemic from Mexico to Brazil.

My path leads down KuKona A La’a Street and crosses there at Poipu Road. Here there are several options. Follow the signs to the Holoholo Grill, wind your way through the 4-star resort hotel here, Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, or keep to the right until you come to a short public path to Hoonani Road, which skirts the ocean here.

To your right is Wailmo Stream, which empties into the sea just near our destination, Koloa Landing. A sign along the bank alerts us to the presence of Hawaiian Green Turtles, an endangered species. I spotted a shadow in the surf that may have been a turtle

This landing was one of the first spots in the Hawaiian Islands to be used by the First People. “Makai” (away from the sea) from here was rich and somewhat level land, used for agriculture, the construction of “Heiau” (ceremonial temples), and for villages and burials.

I have learned that the ruin behind our home is a Heiau dedicated to harvest and agriculture.

I walked down to the landing and was greeted by the Kauai Mascot:

Keeping the ocean on my right, I followed the shoreline 100 meters or so to what I call the Koloa Lookout. There is a small parking lot here. Some people stop for a photo-op.

This is a good place to see the different types of lava flows. On top is the latest of course, mostly red soil and small bits of lava. Then the rough lava starts. It is called ‘A’ā lava, which I call “ouch” lava, because it is sharp and hard to walk on, so you say “A! AH!”

The lowest level is the pillow lava, called Pāhoehoe, which is smooth and denser, which flowed directly from the vent. It is easier to walk on this pillow lava rather than the rough stuff, but be careful as it can be slippery and is very uneven.

The vantage point I prefer is right at the high water mark. Here there is a throne-like spot, smoothed out, of Pāhoehoe. I imagine the First People sitting here, watching the horizon and to the shore on either side, waiting for a husband, a child, a lover or an enemy. The distance covered from left point to right point is about 10 kilometers by my estimation.

Facing the sea you can just make out the Spouting Horn, perhaps 2 or 3 kilometers away. I decided to draw a bit, to sharpen my eye and to give you a guide where to look for the spout.

On your right you may be able to see the brown water of Wailmo Stream entering the sea, just past the landing. Out to sea you can spy a yellow buoy marking the spot for mariners to head in to the landing. Here on Hanaka’ape Bay was the third largest whaling port in Hawaii, and the only legal port of entry for foreign goods. It became the main sugar port as well until 1912. Sixty ships a year would anchor loading and unloading provisions, sugar and passengers.

Here sat those People who came before us,
Who sailed across the ocean, with stars as their guide.
Sensing their destiny by the angle of the wave and the sweep of the sea.
Flying over the waves - the northeast trades on their starboard quarter.
Lifted to the promised land, with stars as their guide.