Green Lake (Hawaii) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Green Lake
Ka Wai o Pele
Green Lake, photographed in the 1890s
Green Lake Location in Hawaii Show map of Hawaii Green Lake Location in Pacific Ocean Show map of Pacific Ocean
Location	Hawaiʻi, United States
Coordinates	19°30′08″N 154°50′22″W / 19.5023164°N 154.8393238°W / 19.5023164; -154.8393238
Type	Volcanic crater lake
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	0.5 ha (1.2 acres)
Max. depth	61 m (200 ft)

Crater with Green Lake inside, photographed in 2017

Aerial photograph of lava flows evaporating Green Lake on June 2, 2018

Green Lake (Hawaiian: Ka Wai o Pele) was a freshwater crater lake in Puʻu Kapoho crater on the island of Hawaiʻi. With a surface area of 0.8 hectares (2.0 acres) and a maximum depth of 61 metres (200 ft), it was the largest natural freshwater lake in the Hawaiian Islands, and, along with Lake Waiau, was one of two freshwater lakes on Hawaiʻi Island.

Hawaiian myths state that the lake was the first place visited by Pele, the volcano deity. The lake was a popular swimming spot for locals and tourists. Extensive vegetation, mainly Hibiscus tiliaceus, overhung the lake, shading about twenty percent of the lake's surface.

On June 2, 2018, the lake was destroyed when lava flowed from Kīlauea's lower Puna eruption boiled it away and completely filled the entire basin.

Images for kids

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  Ka Wai o Pele