The Wailuā River is a major river on the island of Kauaʻi in the U.S. state of Hawaii . 23.4 kilometres (14.5 mi) long, it is one of the largest rivers, as well as Kauai's 5th longest river. It is formed by the confluence of its North and South forks just west of Wailua and enters the Pacific Ocean at 22°2′42″N 159°20′11″W / 22.04500°N 159.33639°W / 22.04500; -159.33639 ( Mouth of Wailua River ) . It is the only navigable river (by boats larger than kayaks ) in the Hawaiian Islands . It is a center of activity for locals and visitors in the form of boat tours to Fern Grotto , kayaking and water skiing .
6-577: The North Fork begins at the Mount Waiʻaleʻale at coordinates 22°3′35″N 159°29′33″W / 22.05972°N 159.49250°W / 22.05972; -159.49250 ( North Fork Wailua River ) and flows 12.2 miles (19.6 km) east to its junction with the South Fork. The South Fork forms at the junction of several streams southwest of Hanamaulu and flows 8.1 miles (13.0 km) east, over Wailua Falls , to its junction with
12-660: A 30-year average. The Weather Network and The Guinness Book of Weather Records ( Holford 1977 : 240) quotes 451.0 inches (11,455 mm) rain per year, while ( Ahrens 2000 : 528) quotes 460 inches (11,680 mm) as the average annual rainfall at Mount Waialeale and ( Kroll 1995 : 188) claims 510 inches (13,000 mm) falls here. Similarly, The Weather Network and the Guinness Book of Weather Records quote 335 days with rain here while ( Simons 1996 : 303) suggests that rain falls on 360 days per year. The local tourist industry of Kauai has promoted it as one of
18-505: The North Fork. Other points of interest along the river system include a bird refuge, Kamokila Hawaiian Village, Secret Falls and a pool which formerly included a rope swing. This article related to a river in Hawaii is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Mount Waialeale Mount Waiʻaleʻale / ˌ w aɪ ˌ ɑː l eɪ ˈ ɑː l eɪ / is a shield volcano and
24-492: The period 1978–2007 the wettest spot in Hawaii is Big Bog on Maui (404 inches or 10,300 mm per year). The summit of Waiʻaleʻale features a tropical rainforest climate ( Köppen Af ), with substantial rainfall throughout the course of the year. ( Bodin 1978 : 272) quotes 460.0 inches (11,684 mm) per year figure as being the 1912–45 average, an average that quite possibly will have changed since then, while The National Climatic Data Center quotes this figure as
30-485: The second highest point on the island of Kauaʻi in the Hawaiian Islands . Its name literally means "rippling water" or "overflowing water". The mountain, at an elevation of 5,148 feet (1,569 m), averages more than 373 inches (9,500 mm ) of rain a year since 1912, with a record 683 inches (17,300 mm) in 1982; its summit is one of the rainiest spots on earth. However, recent reports mention that over
36-501: The wettest places on earth, which it is. The rainfall at Waiʻaleʻale is evenly distributed through the year. Several factors give the summit of Waiʻaleʻale more potential to create precipitation than the rest of the island chain: The great rainfall in the area produces the Alakaʻi Wilderness Preserve , a large boggy area that is home to many rare plants. The ground is so wet that although trails exist, access by foot to
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