Wailau facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wailau Valley
Wailau Valley Location in Hawaii
Floor elevation	321 feet (98 m)
Area	4 square miles (10 km2)
Geography
Rivers	Wailau River, Pulena Stream, Waioke'ela Stream, Waiakeakua Stream

Wailau Valley is a special, quiet valley. You can find it on the north side of the island of Molokai in Hawaii. It's a bit hard to get to because it's so isolated.

You can reach Wailau Valley in a few ways. Sometimes, people go by boat, but only during the summer when the ocean is calm. You can also fly in by helicopter. There's a path called the Wailau Trail, but it's very wild and tough to walk through.

Long ago, Wailau was a busy place. It was an ancient Hawaiian land division called an ahupuaa. Many people lived there and grew taro, a plant used for food. Today, almost no one lives in the valley. However, some people from Molokai still like to camp by the beach there in the summer.

How Wailau Valley Was Formed

Wailau Valley was created by the power of water. The Wailau River slowly carved out the valley over a very long time. This happened after a huge part of the East Molokai Volcano collapsed. This collapse allowed rivers and streams from that part of the island to flow north, shaping the land.

Key Natural Features of the Valley

Many important natural spots are found in Wailau Valley. One is Olokui, which is the second highest mountain peak on Molokai. Another is the Kukuinui Ridge. Some places, like Malahini Cave, are very difficult to reach.

In the Hawaiian language, the name wai lau means "many waters." This name fits the valley well because of all the streams and the river that helped create it.