Hanapēpē River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hanapēpē River |
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Swinging bridge across the river in Hanapepe
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| Country | United States |
| State | Hawaii |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Confluence of the Kō'ula River and Manuahi stream |
| River mouth | Pacific Ocean Hanapepe, Hawaii, Eleele, Hawaii 0 m (0 ft) 21°54′15″N 159°35′29″W / 21.904223°N 159.591522°W |
| Length | 5.3 miles (8.5 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 27.7 sq mi (72 km2) |
The Hanapēpē River is a cool river on the island of Kauai in Hawaii, United States. It starts where two smaller streams, the Kō'ula River and Manuahi Stream, meet. The river then flows south for about 5.3 miles (8.5 kilometers) until it reaches the Pacific Ocean. It empties into the ocean near the towns of Hanapepe and Eleele.
The name "Hanapepe" means "crushed bay." This might be because of landslides that happened in the area a long time ago. The river's watershed, which is the land area that drains into it, covers about 27.7 square miles. That's about one-twentieth of the whole island of Kauai!
The Hanapēpē River on Kauai
The Hanapēpe River is an important natural feature on Kauai. It helps drain a large part of the island. The river's journey from its start to the ocean is quite short, but it passes through interesting areas.
History of the Valley
The valley around the Hanapēpe River is very fertile. This means the soil is great for growing plants. For many years, people used this valley to grow crops like rice, taro, coffee, and sugarcane. These crops were very important for the people living there.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, many people came to the valley to work. These workers came from places like China, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. Many of them eventually started their own farms or businesses in the area.
You might even recognize the Hanapēpe Valley from a famous movie! Parts of the 1993 Steven Spielberg film Jurassic Park were filmed right here.
The Swinging Bridge
Near where the river meets the ocean in Hanapepe, you'll find a special bridge. It's called the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge. This footbridge was built way back in 1911. It helped people living in Hanapepe cross the river easily.
In 1992, a big storm called Hurricane Iniki damaged the bridge. But don't worry, it was fixed and restored! Today, the swinging bridge is a popular spot for visitors. Kids especially love it because it gently rocks back and forth as you walk across it. It's a fun and unique way to experience the river.
Images for kids
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The Hanapepe River, Kauai, Hawaii
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The Hanapepe Swinging Bridge sign, Hanapepe, Kauai, Hawaii
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The Hanapepe Swinging Bridge, Kauai, Hawaii
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The Hanapepe Swinging Bridge, Kauai
