The H\u0101lona Blowhole is one of Hawai\u2018i\u2019s natural wonders, created thousands of years ago when molten lava tubes were formed from volcanic eruptions. There aren\u2019t any active volcanoes on O\u2018ahu anymore, but the blowhole remains a must-see scenic stop.<\/p>\n
H\u0101lona, in Hawaiian, means \u201clookout,\u201d and visitors can see miles of pristine coastline waters from the lookout. On clear days, the islands of Moloka\u2018i and L\u0101na\u2018i can also be seen in the distance.<\/p>\n
The blowhole overlooks some of the most violent waters in Hawai\u2018i, and when the Ka\u2018iwi Channel is churning during the winter months, strong currents and big waves send waters rushing into the molten lava tubes below the lookout, sending geysers as high as 30 feet through the blowhole. The bigger the waves, the higher the geysers. Visitors can literally hear and feel the waters rumbling below just before the eruptions.<\/p>\n
During whale season (late December through early April), visitors may also see whales breaching or spouting at the surface.<\/p>\n
Just below the scenic outlook is one of O\u2018ahu\u2019s most iconic beaches, the H\u0101lona Beach Cove. The \u201cPeering Place\u201d is mostly visited in the summer months when the ocean is calm, and if you plan on walking down to the beachwear protective footwear for the steep, rocky descent.<\/p>\n
This is the beach made famous by the iconic love scene between Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr, who shared their epic kiss and rolled around in the surf and sand in 1953 classic “From Here to Eternity.\u201d Recent moviegoers may be more familiar with the site as \u201cWhitecap Bay,\u201d from the fourth installment of the \u201cPirates of the Caribbean\u201d movie series, dubbed \u201cOn Stranger Tides.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the back of the beach, there is a long lava tube, or cave, that travels into the mountain. Bring a flashlight if you plan to explore it, and make sure you visit on a calm day when surf isn\u2019t high.<\/p>\n