Pu'u Pehe (Sweetheart Rock), Lanai

Also Known as Sweetheart Rock

 

Puu Pehe, popularly known as Sweetheart Rock, is a tiny triangle-shaped rock island located just 150 feet off the coast of Lanai, between Manele Bay and Hulopoe Bay. This red-rock lava formation was once a part of the main island but split off due to years of erosion from ocean waves.

 

Sweetheart Rock is not only a striking natural wonder, but also home to an important local legend. According to the tale, Makekehau, a young warrior from the mainland, was so entranced by his beloved, a beautiful princess from the island of Maui named Puupehe, that anytime he laid his eyes on her they would begin to mist up with tears. He brought Puupehe to live with him on Lanai, but out of jealousy and insecurity he hid her in a cave beneath a steep sea cliff. One day when a violent storm descended upon the coast of Lanai, Makakehau rushed to the cave to make sure Puupehe was fine.  By the time he arrived, however, it was too late.  Puupehe had drowned in the treacherous storm waves.

 

Makekehau was so devastated that he called out to his ancestors. And then, with an inhuman strength endowed by the gods, he carried his lover to the top of the steep rock island, where he buried her before plunging to his death into the rough sea below.

 

Although visitors may feel inspired by Makekehau and Puupehe’s legend, they should not attempt to climb the cliffs in this area, as the sides of the rocks are very slippery and dangerous. The best vantage to view the rock is from the trail that leads here.