Waimanu Valley
Encyclopedia
Waimanu Valley is a remote valley on the northeast coast of Hawaii island
. Besides the main Waimanu Stream, it includes Waihīlau Falls on a tributary.
.
During the time of Ancient Hawaii
it was an ahupuaa, or ancient land division with a small village. Most of the area is state forest land, with a few campsites available with reservations. It is located in the Hāmākua district of Hawaii island.
The Waimanu Stream watershed includes many smaller flows from Kohala Mountain to the Pacific Ocean
at sea level.
A system of dikes
of hard lava rock force large amounts of ground water dropped from the tradewinds into this valley, making it very different from the smaller shallow valleys directly to the west. This ridge is administered as the Puu O Umi Natural State Area Reserve.
Tributary Waihīlau Stream starts at about 3500 feet (1,066.8 m) elevation at 20°6′17"N 155°39′44"W and flows into Waimanu Stream in the valley. Waihīlau Falls is one of the tallest single drops of a waterfall
in the United States
. It descends from about 3000 feet (914.4 m) at 20°6′45"N 155°39′27"W to about 400 feet (121.9 m) elevation. The name comes from wai hī lau which means "many trickling waters" since during heavy rains the stream splits into many smaller streams overflowing the cliff.
Waimanu Stream empties into Waimanu Bay at sea level at 20°8′35"N 155°38′2"W.
Other streams with waterfalls in the valley include Waiilikahi Falls and Lahomene Falls.
The valley is not accessible by automobile. A foot trail called Waimanu or Muliwai Trail leads down a steep path from the Waipio Valley
. At the south end of the valley, Waimanu Gap at 2089 feet (636.7 m) elevation leads to the upper end of Waipio Valley.
Hawaii (island)
The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
. Besides the main Waimanu Stream, it includes Waihīlau Falls on a tributary.
Description
Wai manu literally means "bird water" or "river of birds" in the Hawaiian languageHawaiian language
The Hawaiian language is a Polynesian language that takes its name from Hawaii, the largest island in the tropical North Pacific archipelago where it developed. Hawaiian, along with English, is an official language of the state of Hawaii...
.
During the time of Ancient Hawaii
Ancient Hawaii
Ancient Hawaii refers to the period of Hawaiian human history preceding the unification of the Kingdom of Hawaii by Kamehameha the Great in 1810. After being first settled by Polynesian long-distance navigators sometime between AD 300–800, a unique culture developed. Diversified agroforestry and...
it was an ahupuaa, or ancient land division with a small village. Most of the area is state forest land, with a few campsites available with reservations. It is located in the Hāmākua district of Hawaii island.
The Waimanu Stream watershed includes many smaller flows from Kohala Mountain to the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
at sea level.
A system of dikes
Dike (geology)
A dike or dyke in geology is a type of sheet intrusion referring to any geologic body that cuts discordantly across* planar wall rock structures, such as bedding or foliation...
of hard lava rock force large amounts of ground water dropped from the tradewinds into this valley, making it very different from the smaller shallow valleys directly to the west. This ridge is administered as the Puu O Umi Natural State Area Reserve.
Tributary Waihīlau Stream starts at about 3500 feet (1,066.8 m) elevation at 20°6′17"N 155°39′44"W and flows into Waimanu Stream in the valley. Waihīlau Falls is one of the tallest single drops of a waterfall
Waterfall
A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It descends from about 3000 feet (914.4 m) at 20°6′45"N 155°39′27"W to about 400 feet (121.9 m) elevation. The name comes from wai hī lau which means "many trickling waters" since during heavy rains the stream splits into many smaller streams overflowing the cliff.
Waimanu Stream empties into Waimanu Bay at sea level at 20°8′35"N 155°38′2"W.
Other streams with waterfalls in the valley include Waiilikahi Falls and Lahomene Falls.
The valley is not accessible by automobile. A foot trail called Waimanu or Muliwai Trail leads down a steep path from the Waipio Valley
Waipio valley
Waipio Valley is a valley located in the Hamakua District of the Big Island of Hawaii. "Waipio" means "curved water" in the Hawaiian language.It was the capital and permanent residence of many early Hawaiian alii up until the time of King Umi...
. At the south end of the valley, Waimanu Gap at 2089 feet (636.7 m) elevation leads to the upper end of Waipio Valley.