The blow holes or Mapu ‘a Vaea is a five kilometer stretch of volcanic rock along the western
coastline that has nearly a hundred spectacular blowholes. Waves crash into the rocks and sea
water is forced into natural channels that force the water to blow through holes in geyser like
form. When the sea is rough and strong winds gather, the blow holes force water up to thirty
meters in height, creating an artistic and beautiful sight which imitates a long, clear white curtain
along the coast.
The name Mapu ‘a Vaea comes from the sound that the blow holes make when waves crash into
them before it shoots up into the air. The sound resembles a whistle, and was then known as the
“Whistle of Vaea”. Vaea is the noble of Houma.
Another version of the origin of the name Mapu ‘a Vaea or “Whistle of Vaea” was derived from
Vaea, the chief of Houma whistling to the sea to hasten its movements, and the crashing of the
waves onto the reef, blowing water up through the holes of the reef wall. This was the waves
showing obedience to Vaea’s whistle.