Nate’s Adventures: Lake Waiau on Mauna Kea
By Nate Yuen, Chapter Outings Chair | Reading Time: 1 min
I was thrilled to visit Lake Waiau, situated at 13,020 feet elevation near the summit of Mauna Kea.
Although the hike is short -- little more than half-a-mile -- the ascent can be arduous for those who do not tolerate high altitudes well.
We took our time and climbed-up step-by-step to the lake. The air was cold so it was nice to be trudging uphill which generated body heat.
The lake is named Waiau -- one of the four snow goddesses, the others being Poliʻahu (snow), Līlīnoe (mist), and Kahoupokane (thunder).
The lake water is from rain and snow melt. An impermeable layer of ash underlies the lake and prevents the water from seeping into the mountain.
Grass grows around the edge of the lake.
The water is milky -- from particulate matter suspended in the water.
Lots of green algae and diatoms live in the lake.
As we made our way around the lake, mist began to drift in.
It was mesmerizing to see mist descend on the lake.
Līlīnoe -- mist -- came to visit her sister Waiau.
I need to come back in the winter to see their other sister Poliʻahu -- snow -- come to visit Waiau.