The Wailuā River is a 20-mile-long (32 km) river on the island of Kauaʻi in the U.S. state of Hawaii. 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)Coordinates: 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.
The North Fork begins near 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 the North Fork.
Other points of interest along the river system include a bird refuge, Halokila Hawaiian Village, Secret Falls and a pool for rope jumping.
Famous quotes containing the word river:
“The Xanthus or Scamander is not a mere dry channel and bed of a mountain torrent, but fed by the ever-flowing springs of fame ... and I trust that I may be allowed to associate our muddy but much abused Concord River with the most famous in history.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)