Hawaii Rivers And Lakes

Hawaii's rivers originate in the mountains and flow down steep, narrow valleys to the coastlines.

Wailuku River

The Wailuku River is located on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Facts about the Wailuku River:

• It flows from the West Maui Mountains, through the Iao Valley, to the ocean.
• The river is famous for its windswept Iao Needle rock formations.
• It has served as an important irrigation system for Hawaiian agriculture.
• The Wailuku River is prone to flash flooding from the mountains after heavy rainfall.

Waimea River

The Waimea River is found on the island of Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands. Details about the Waimea River:

• It flows from the central mountains of Kauai to the southwestern coast.
• The river played an important role in Hawaiian history and culture.
• It meets the ocean at Waimea Bay, known for epic surf.
• The river can transform from a calm stream to raging floodwaters after storms.

Hanalei River

The Hanalei River is located on the northern shore of the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Facts about the Hanalei River:

• It flows 12 miles from the central mountains through the Hanalei Valley.
• The river mouth opens to picturesque Hanalei Bay and the Napali Coast.
• It is surrounded by tropical rainforest and ridges cultivated with taro.

Notable Lakes in Hawaii

The volcanic islands of Hawaii have very few natural freshwater lakes. Some manmade lakes include:

• Lake Wilson on Oahu, used as a reservoir.
• Lake Waiau on Mauna Kea, Hawaii - the highest alpine lake in the Pacific islands.
• Keālia Pond on Maui, now a National Wildlife Refuge.
• Nu'uanu Reservoir on Oahu which provides drinking water.

Hawaii's rivers start high in the mountains and flow down to the Pacific, supporting agriculture and unique ecosystems throughout history.