Poipu

Sunshine and golden beaches are just part of the Poipu allure. December through April the waters off the Southern Shores welcome pods of humpback whales and during the summer months the occasional monk-seal perches on the warm beaches of the surrounding area. One of the top photographed attractions in Poipu is the Sprouting Horn blowhole. Seawater flows into a natural lava tube and releases a massive spray of water reaching as high as 50-feet into the air. The sound generated from the blowhole is the basis of a Hawaiian legend about a giant moo (lizard) named Kaikapu.

To the north of Poipu is the picturesque Old Koloa Town, home of the first sugar mill in the Hawaiian Islands. The mill was established in 1835 and became the benchmark of commercial sugar production in the islands that ushered in a wave of immigrants which help make up today's multicultural population.

Discovering the historical, cultural and geological points of interest in Poipu can be accomplished along the Koloa Heritage Trail. Comprised of 14 stops with descriptive plaques, this 10-mile tour of the area allows visitors a chance to understand and appreciate the Poipu area.

Allerton Garden is another local treasure worth exploring. Part of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, this 80-acre estate had initially been Queen Emma of Hawaii's summer home. In 1938 the Allerton family purchased the grounds and began laying out a master-planned garden featuring numerous garden rooms and water features. Film buffs will appreciate the garden for creating the backdrop to numerous movies including Jurassic Park.

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