Wailau

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This article is about the valley on the North Shore of Molokai, Hawaii. For the extinct shield volcano, see East Molokai Volcano.
Wailau Valley
Wailau Valley is located in Hawaii
Wailau Valley
Wailau Valley
Hawaii
Floor elevation321 feet (98 m)
Area4 square miles (10 km2)
Geography
Coordinates21°08′33″N 156°50′08″W / 21.14250°N 156.83556°W / 21.14250; -156.83556Coordinates: 21°08′33″N 156°50′08″W / 21.14250°N 156.83556°W / 21.14250; -156.83556 
Rivers, Pulena Stream, Waioke'ela Stream, Waiakeakua Stream

Wailau is an isolated valley on the North Shore of the island of Molokai, Hawaii, It can be reached by boat (only in the summer), helicopter or by from the southeast shore of the island which is heavily overgrown and virtually impassable in places.[1]

The valley was an ancient ahupuaa,[2] and well-populated until the 19th century, and contained many taro plantations.[3] The valley is nearly unpopulated today, although Molokai residents occasionally camp by the beach at the mouth of the valley in the summer.

Geography[]

Wailau valley was formed by stream erosion of the , after the massive collapse of the East Molokai Volcano enabled streams from this part of the island to flow north. Numerous major landmarks dominate the area, such as Olokui, Molokai's second highest peak, and the Kukuinui Ridge. Others such as Malahini Cave[4] are very difficult to access.

In the Hawaiian language wai lau literally means "many waters".[5]

References[]

  1. ^ Catherinebuchanan.com (19 February 2013). "Latitude Options: Wailau Valley Secrets, Molokai, Hawaii".
  2. ^ Lloyd J. Soehren (2003). "A Catalog of Moloka'i Place Names" (PDF). Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  3. ^ "Kalaupapa Settlement Boundary Study. Along North Shore to Halawa Valley, Molokai". National Park Service. 2001. Retrieved 2014-01-29.
  4. ^ "Hawaii Topographic Maps by Topo Zone". TopoZone.
  5. ^ Mary Kawena Pukui, Samuel Hoyt Elbert and Esther T. Mookini (2004). "lookup of Wailau ". in Place Names of Hawai'i. Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library, University of Hawaii Press. Retrieved November 12, 2010.


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