"An unexpected find at the Dragon's Teeth site is a labyrinth laid out in local rocks. Makalua-puna Point is considered by some as one of the earth’s power centers that heightens the effects of meditative practice, such as walking a labyrinth can be. The day I was there, children were racing around the labyrinth and crossing into other paths. It took a bit of concerted focus to keep a meditative state."

Lava, being both a creative and destructive force inspires fear and awe. No wonder peoples around the globe worshipped the forces from deep below the earth’s crust that push the lava to the surface. When we think of volcanic eruptions, perhaps our minds go to 79 AD and the Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculean. Maybe, we are reminded of the dramatic 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull which disrupted European air traffic for a time in 2010, or perhaps we think of the ring of volcanic islands known as Hawai’i.

Like the other Hawaiian Islands, Maui has some dramatic examples of the creative power of lava flows that should be on any nature lover’s must-see list. Located on Makalua-puna Point in Kapalua on the island’s northwestern shore, Dragons Teeth is a unique lava formation. Combine the composition of the lava flow with the point’s high winds, and the resulting formation has upright jagged edges that remind some of teeth. The surf rushes up to the formation and the spray threatens to soak brave souls who stand close to the edge while the salt in the water continues to whiten the lava as it has for hundreds of years.

The Dragon's Teeth lava formation