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Distance:
0.5 Miles / 0.8 km
Type:
Out-and-Back
Difficulty:
Moderate
Time to Hike:
~15 minutes
Features:
Surface Type:
Dirt
Town:
Kahakuloa, Hawaii
Directions:
21.024543, -156.590553
Added:
August 16, 2018
Updated:
February 17, 2023
Please consider making a donation to the Maui Strong Fund to help the victims of Hawaii's recent wildfires.
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200 '

Total Change
200 '

Ascent
200 '

Descent

The Nakalele Blowhole Trail near Kahakuloa, Hawaii (Maui) is a moderate 0.5 mile out-and-back hike that leads to a lava rock formation nicknamed the "Blowhole".

The Nakalele Blowhole is a geyser where seawater gets trapped in an underwater lava tube and shoots straight upward 100 feet into the air. For the best views, plan to hike about 0.25-miles down and back along a rocky and often slippery and muddy trail. For folks who wish to enjoy the blowhole from afar, you can watch it from the top of the hill without having to hike down.

Popularity
This is an extremely popular trail on Maui and most people end up hiking down and back in sandals and flip-flops; however, it's not easy hiking due to the terrain, so if you don't have hiking boots use sneakers.

Parking
Hikers will find a large parking lot at the coordinates provided. As of February 2023, it's large enough to fit a couple dozen vehicles.

Warning
Rocky, slippery terrain: This trail follows a very rocky, bouldery, and often slippery/muddy trail. Watch your step.

Sneaker waves: Despite wanting to enjoy the blowhole up-close, it's best to stay on the 2nd cliff above the blowhole, as a very large sneaker-wave could crash ashore, injuring or killing someone on the lower cliff below.

Respecting the Land
Hawaiian land is considered sacred to native Hawaiians and many locals, so please stay on-trail, take nothing but photos, and leave nothing but footprints. Respect the locals - don't stay for long and have a backup hike planned in case the parking lot is full.

Explore 45 trails near Kahakuloa, HI
  1. Parking

    21.024543, -156.590553
  2. Main Trailhead

    21.024593, -156.59049
  3. Nakalele Blowhole

    21.026633, -156.589006
    Nakalele Blowhole
No community routes found. To add your own hike as a Community Route for this Trail guide, leave a Trip Report with an attached GPX file.

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3 Trip Reports

No Star-Ratings
Write-up by:
Admin user profile picture
0.5 miles / 0.8 km
Trail added
August 16, 2018
Hiked on
August 16, 2018
Updated on
February 17, 2023
0.5 miles / 0.8 km
February 17, 2023
Finally hiked down to the blowhole instead of just watching from above. Annoying to get there after it's been raining as the slick dirt quickly turns into slippery mud. The rocks leading down aren't bad, but in places require you to use your hands for extra support to reach the Nakalele Blowhole. Neat natural feature. Stand on the upper cliff for the safest up-close viewing experience.
Hiking
0.3 miles / 0.5 km
August 15, 2018
Hiking

Weather Forecast

In Kahakuloa, HI

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