Also known as "Pu'u Keka'a" in native Hawaiian, Black Rock is a legendary natural formation on Maui's west coast. It separates two beautiful beaches - Kaanapali to the south and Kahekili to the north. It is also the site of one of the last volcanic eruptions on the island.
According to folklore, ancient Hawaiians believed that when a person died, his or her spirit would leave the temporal world on a journey to the afterlife to meet ancestors. If no ancestors came to greet the spirit, it would have to wander the earth in a ghostly form, causing mischief.
The starting point for such a journey was a sacred place where the spirit could "jump off'' the island into the realm beyond. It is said that every island in Hawaii has such a spot, where warriors and others left the earth to meet their ancestors. On the island of Maui, Black Rock was considered to be this "jumping off point,'' and many Hawaiian natives still treat it as a very special spiritual site.
Local children, on the other hand, like to use Black Rock as a very different type of "jumping off point.'' They enjoy climbing to the top of the volcanic outcropping to leap into the deep waters below.
Flanked by the sun-drenched sands of Kaanapali Beach and Kahekili Beach, Black Rock is a popular destination for sunbathers, swimmers and picnickers. Several resorts line the area, making access a bit difficult, but there are a number of public beach accesses available.
Because Black Rock forms an excellent natural reef wall, snorkeling and scuba diving are especially good in this area when the ocean is calm. The base of the rock formation is almost completely encrusted in coral, which attracts an assortment of fish and sea turtles.
From the fall through the spring, visitors to this area may be able to humpback whales from Black Rock, as they migrate some 15,000 miles to mate and give birth in the warm Hawaiian waters. It is not uncommon to see the huge sea mammals breaching just off shore between October and April.
Lifeguards are on duty at the beach during daylight hours. Visitors are advised to use caution when swimming around Black Rock, as strong currents are often present at the point area. It is a good idea to closely monitor ocean conditions and always obey postings and warnings.
Although there are no public restrooms or facilities at Black Rock, a great number of amenities can be found close by, including restaurants, snack bars, gift shops and restrooms located at the resorts that line the two beaches. A paved walking path stretches the entire length of Kaanapali Beach, and public pathways can be accessed between many of the hotels.
Black Rock is located just beyond the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa on Maui's west coast. The address is 2605 Kaanapali Parkway, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761. To get there, take Highway 30 from Lahaina toward Kaanapali and turn left onto Kaanapali Parkway at mile marker #24. Black Rock is located at the very end of Kaanapali Beach.
Limited free parking is available at the parking garage between the Sheraton and the Kaanapali Beach Hotel, although the sites fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Additional paid parking can be found at the Whalers Village shopping center nearby.
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