Spouting Horn facts for kids
Spouting Horn is a famous natural blowhole found on the southern coast of Kauai, an island in Hawaii. It is located in the Koloa area, which is known for its powerful ocean waves. The nearby town of Poipu even means "crashing" in Hawaiian, describing these waves.
The strong waves constantly hit the lava rocks along the coast. Over time, this action wears away the rock, creating narrow tunnels and openings. Spouting Horn is one of these amazing openings. When a big wave comes in, it forces water through this narrow tunnel. The water then shoots high into the air, sometimes as high as 50 feet! As the water blasts out, it makes a sound that some describe as a loud hiss or roar.
The original Hawaiian name for this blowhole was puhi. This word simply means "blowhole" in the Hawaiian language. Spouting Horn is also a special stop along the Koloa Heritage Trail. This trail is about 10 miles long and explores the history and nature of the Koloa district.
The Legend of Spouting Horn: A Giant Lizard's Roar
Long ago, according to Hawaiian folklore, a huge lizard known as a mo’o protected this part of the island. This giant lizard was very powerful and guarded the area.
One day, a brave young man named Liko was swimming in the water nearby. The mo’o saw Liko and thought he was a threat. The giant lizard quickly attacked him. To escape, Liko bravely jumped into the ocean, hoping to lead the lizard away.
Liko then swam towards a small lava tube, which was a natural tunnel in the rocks. He swam through it, coming out on the other side. The giant lizard followed Liko into the narrow lava tube. But the mo’o was too big! She got stuck inside the tunnel, which is now the Spouting Horn blowhole.
Today, people say that the loud roaring sound you hear when the Spouting Horn blasts water into the air is actually the sound of the giant lizard still roaring from inside the blowhole. It's a fun story that adds to the magic of this natural wonder!
