Olowalu Landing, Beach with coral reef in Lahaina, Hawaii, USA
Atterrissage d'Olowalu is a beach in Lahaina with a shallow coral reef that lies just offshore and stretches far out into the water. The reef features coral columns rising from the sea floor nearly to the surface, and the water here is typically clear near the shore.
Olowalu reef has served as a fishing area for the local community throughout history. Some coral formations here are around 500 years old and play a key role in producing new coral growth that spreads to reefs far away, including other islands.
The name Olowalu comes from Hawaiian words meaning "two rivers". For local residents, this beach has long been a place to fish and spend time with the ocean, a connection to the water that remains visible in how people use the space today.
To reach the reef, drive along the Honoapiilani Highway near Mile Marker 14 and park on the ocean side of the road. Taking a boat tour is the safest way to snorkel, as wading from shore involves crossing shallow, rocky terrain with coral and sea urchins.
This reef is known as a "Mother Reef" because it plays a special role in coral reproduction - the larvae spread far and settle on reef areas on distant islands like Lanai and Molokai. This function makes it a biological hub for the local marine environment.
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