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 Wailau Trail from the southeast shore of the island which is heavily overgrown and virtually impassable in places.[1]
| Wailau Valley | |
|---|---|
  Wailau Valley Hawaii | |
| Floor elevation | 321 feet (98 m) |
| Area | 4 square miles (10 km2) |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 21°08′33″N 156°50′08″W / 21.14250°N 156.83556°W |
| Rivers | Wailau River, Pulena Stream, Waioke'ela Stream, Waiakeakua Stream |
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
editWailau valley was formed by stream erosion of the Wailau River, 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
edit- ^ Catherinebuchanan.com (19 February 2013). "Latitude Options: Wailau Valley Secrets, Molokai, Hawaii".
- ^ Lloyd J. Soehren (2003). "A Catalog of Moloka'i Place Names" (PDF). Retrieved 2014-02-04.
- ^ "Kalaupapa Settlement Boundary Study. Along North Shore to Halawa Valley, Molokai". National Park Service. 2001. Retrieved 2014-01-29.
- ^ "Hawaii Topographic Maps by Topo Zone". TopoZone.
- ^ Mary Kawena Pukui; Samuel Hoyt Elbert; 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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