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Waiau

Waiau is a lake in Hawaii, near Hawaii County.

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Waiau is a high mountain lake, not a fishing destination. It sits around the 13,000-foot level of Maunakea and is sacred to Native Hawaiians. The small basin fills from rain and snow, with its size changing as conditions change.

Lake facts

  • Location: Maunakea, Hawaiʻi Island
  • Elevation: About 13,000 feet
  • Setting: Sacred lake in Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve

Leave the fishing gear behind

There is no sport-fishing trip to recommend here. Leave rods and bait behind, and avoid disturbing the water or shoreline. Swimming, watercraft and rock piling are prohibited.

Getting there

Use authorized trails and check current Maunakea access conditions before starting. This is high-altitude travel, so an easy-looking distance on a map isn't comparable to a short walk beside a coastal pond.

Visiting respectfully

A respectful visit means observing the lake without entering it or leaving objects behind. Follow the posted cultural and reserve information. The lake's importance lies in the place itself, not in a catch or a boating outing.

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