Waimanu Valley facts for kids
Waimanu Valley is a beautiful, faraway valley. It is on the northeast coast of Hawaiʻi island. The main stream flowing through it is called Waimanu Stream. You can also find Waihīlau Falls here, which is a very tall waterfall.
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Discover Waimanu Valley: A Remote Hawaiian Gem
Wai manu means "bird water" or "river of birds" in the Hawaiian language. This name fits well with the valley's natural beauty.
History of Waimanu: An Ancient Land
Long ago, during the time of Ancient Hawaii, Waimanu Valley was an ahupuaʻa. This was a special way people divided land. It was like a small village area. Today, most of the valley is state forest land. You can find a few campsites there, but you need to book them ahead of time. The valley is in the Hāmākua district of Hawaiʻi island.
Waimanu's Waterways: Streams and Waterfalls
The Waimanu Stream collects water from many smaller flows. These flows start high up on Kohala Mountain. They then travel all the way down to the Pacific Ocean. Hard lava rock formations, called dikes, help guide a lot of groundwater into this valley. This water comes from the rain brought by the tradewinds. This makes Waimanu Valley very green and wet. It is different from other drier valleys nearby. The high ridge above the valley is a protected area called the Puʻu O ʻUmi Natural State Area Reserve.
Waihīlau Falls: A Towering Wonder
One amazing feature is Waihīlau Falls. This waterfall starts very high up, at about 3,500 feet (1,067 meters) above sea level. It then drops about 3,000 feet (914 meters) into the valley. It is one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in the United States. The name wai hī lau means "many trickling waters." This is because when it rains a lot, the stream splits into many smaller streams flowing over the cliff. Waimanu Stream eventually flows into Waimanu Bay at sea level. Other waterfalls in the valley include Waiʻilikahi Falls and Lahomene Falls.
Exploring Waimanu: The Foot Trail
You cannot drive a car into Waimanu Valley. To get there, you must hike a steep path. This path is called the Waimanu or Muliwai Trail. It starts from the famous Waipiʻo Valley. At the south end of Waimanu Valley, there is a spot called Waimanu Gap. It is about 2,089 feet (637 meters) high and leads to the upper part of Waipiʻo Valley.
