Sprouting Horn, Kauai, Hawaii

Posted by #AMIT# (Santa Clara, CA, United States) on 24 July 2007 in Plant & Nature.

Sprouting Horn is a well known phenomenon on the south shore of Kauai. It is a dual lava tube about ten feet from the shoreline that is powered by wave action. One tube breathes air, making a loud eerie gasping sound while the other tube sprays salt water, sometimes up to 30 feet or more. The sprout is said to be more dramatic at high tide, and on large south-swell days. It was fantastic when we were there.
According to Hawaiian legend a giant female lizard or dragon once terrorized the entire south side of the island. A brave young warrior named Liko was fishing along the south shore one day when he was attacked by the dragon. Liko speared the dragon in the mouth and the wounded beast chased him into a lava tube. Liko escaped, but the poor dragon was trapped there forever. The dragon's breath can still be heard coming from the tube to this day.