Attractions

National Tropical Botanical Garden

National Tropical Botanical Garden NTBG is a non-profit institution, dedicated to saving tropical flora through scientific research, conservation and education, with particular emphasis on endangered or threatened species. In just over 40 years, the NTBG has grown to encompass over 1,800 acres of gardens and preserves. Thousands of species have been gathered from throughout the tropical world, through hundreds of field expeditions by staff and through collaborations with other institutions and researchers, to form a living collection that is unparalleled anywhere. This collection includes the largest assemblages of native Hawaiian plant species and of breadfruit cultivars in existence. Many of these plants are threatened and endangered or have already disappeared from their native habitats. In its preserves and beyond its properties, the NTBG is actively working to restore degraded habitats, further expanding its efforts to save plants that are otherwise faced with extinction. NTBG's gardens (5) have extensive living collections, cultural sites, and other features. Public tours offered daily. Allerton Garden and McBryde Garden are located on the south shore, with a Visitors Center in Poipu.

Spouting Horn

Spouting Horn

This natural wonder occurs when water rushes under a lava shelf and bursts through a small opening at the surface. Every wave produces another spray. Spouting Horn frequently spurts salt water 50 feet into the air. The phenomina is especially exciting at sunset when the spray becomes incandescent with the colors of the rainbow. This particular blowhole is different from others found throughout the state as another hole nearby only blows air, making a loud groaning sound. Legend states that this coast was guarded by a large mo'o (lizard) who ate everyone who tried to fish or swim here. One day, a man named Liko entered the water. When the mo'o went to attack him, he swam under the lava shelf and escaped through the hole. The mo'o became stuck and was never able to get out. The groaning is the cry of hunger and pain from the lizard still trapped under the rocks. There used to be a much larger blowhole called Kukuiula Seaplume adjacent to Spouting Horn. It shot water 200-feet into the air. However, as the salt spray damaged a nearby field of sugar cane, the hole was blasted away in the 1920's. Do not venture out on the lava shelf and get close to the blowhole - fatalities and injuries have resulted from such acts.