Hālona Blowhole is a rock formation and a
blowhole on the island of
Oahu, Hawaii off of
Hanauma Bay at Hālona Point[1] overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In
Hawaiianhālona means "lookout".[2]
Description
On windy days when the tide is high, the ocean breeze sends the waves rolling on to the shore where the rock formation then shoots sea spray high into the air through the cave acting like a
geyser. The blowhole is most active when the
tide is high and the winds are strong,[3] and it can shoot sea spray up to thirty feet high in the air.[4]
Hālona Point is a tourist spot, with visitors coming for the scenery, the beach at the cove, and in the winter as a spot to go to see
humpback whales or
Honu turtles (Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles).[5][6] The blowhole is perhaps the most popular rock formation of its kind found in Hawaii.[7]
Formation
The Hālona Blowhole was formed thousands of years ago during the period of volcanic activity in Oahu,[8] with
Koko Crater's lava flowing into the ocean.[9] The lava tubes extend into the ocean which are narrow at the top.[9] There is also a narrow rift along the base of the cliff which was formed by a large section of rock that broke away from the land.[10]
Hālona Cove
Hālona Cove, called "Cockroach Cove" by the local population, is the small pit of sand close to Hālona Blowhole,[11][12] visited by tourists and locals for swimming when the surf is calm.[13][14]
In a large wedged shape area next to the cove is a reef coated with Sinularia Leather Coral, with different species of fauna like
echinoderms,
slugs,
corals, and
eels.[citation needed]
^"Secrets of Hawaii – Halona Blowhole." Secrets of Hawaii. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sep 2010.
[1].
^Nicholson, Sarah. "Try Taking the Road Less Travelled." Sunday Herald Sun 2009. n.p. Web. Galileo. Retrieved at Georgia Southern University Henderson Library.
http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic/.
^French, Howard W. "Oahu, Beyond Pearl Harbor and Waikiki." The New York Times. N.p., 28 mar 1999. Web. 15 Sep 2010.
[2].
^"Halona Beach Cove." Hawaiiweb.com. n.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sep 2010.
"Halona Beach Cove, Oahu". Archived from
the original on January 3, 2011. Retrieved September 28, 2010.