Wailua River

The Wailuā River is a major river on the island of Kauaʻi in the U.S. state of Hawaii. 20 miles (32 km) long, it is Kauai's largest and longest river[1], as well as Hawaii's 3rd longest river. It is formed by the confluence of its North and South forks just west of Wailua and enters the Pacific Ocean at 22°2′42″N 159°20′11″W. It is the only navigable river (by boats larger than kayaks) in the Hawaiian Islands. It is a center of activity for locals and visitors in the form of boat tours to Fern Grotto, kayaking and water skiing.

Wailua River
Wailuā River, Kauaʻi
Location
CountryUnited States
StateHawaii
RegionKauai
Physical characteristics
SourceNorth Fork
  locationMount Waiʻaleʻale
  coordinates22°03′35″N 159°29′33″W
2nd sourceSouth Fork
  locationHanamaulu
Source confluence 
  locationwest of Wailua, Kauai County, Hawaii
  coordinates22°02′30″N 159°21′38″W
MouthPacific Ocean
  location
Wailua, Kauai County, Hawaii
  coordinates
22°2′42″N 159°20′11″W
Length20 mi (32 km)

The North Fork begins at the Mount Waiʻaleʻale at coordinates 22°3′35″N 159°29′33″W and flows 12.2 miles (19.6 km)[1] east to its junction with the South Fork. The South Fork forms at the junction of several streams southwest of Hanamaulu and flows 8.1 miles (13.0 km) east,[1] over Wailua Falls, to its junction with the North Fork.

Other points of interest along the river system include a bird refuge, Kamokila Hawaiian Village, Secret Falls and a pool which formerly included a rope swing.

See also

References

  1. U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map, accessed April 28, 2011
  • U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Wailua River
  • Pukui and Elbert (2004). "lookup of Wilua". on Place Names of Hawai'i. Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library, University of Hawaii. Retrieved 2009-11-30.


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