Kahakuloa Head

Kahakuloa Head is a steep coastal headland on West Maui’s north shore, where two green hills rise above rocky cliffs and surf. The roadside view is near mile marker 13.6. If you’re already driving this coast, the twin peaks are worth a look, but treat this as a view stop, not a hike: descriptions of the summit approaches call them unmarked, steep and dangerous.

The taller hill is Puʻu Koaʻe; its lower neighbor is Puʻu Kahuliʻanapa. Together they make the distinctive double rise above the water. Some listings use Puʻu Koaʻe for the roadside landmark, while the name also belongs to the prominent hill itself.

Look for dark, broken cliffs at the waterline and the green slopes above them. For a photo, leave some ocean and surf in the frame; a tight crop of the peak loses the shape of the headland.

An old legend says Maui ruler Kahekili leapt from a ledge here into the sea, which is why the cliffs are also associated with the name Kahekili’s Leap. Treat it as folklore rather than documented history; the research found no primary record confirming the story.

Kahekili Highway is narrow and winding, with one-lane stretches and blind bends. A public pullout at the mapped mile-marker location isn’t confirmed, so don’t treat the shoulder as parking. Stop only in a clear, legal turnout fully off the road; if there isn’t one, skip the stop. The summit approaches aren’t established visitor routes.