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Archipelago

    Lehua

    Lehua Island, moku Lehua

    22°01′N 160°06′W

    Lehua Island is a small, crescent-shaped island in the Hawaiian Islands, 0.7 miles (1.1 km) north of Niʻihau, 18 miles due west of Kauaʻi. This uninhabited, 285-acre (1.15 km2) barren islet was one of the first five islands sighted by Captain James Cook in 1778 which he spelled as "Oreehoua".

    Lehua Island, view at sea aboard Kahana boat, near Niihau, Hawaii. September 21, 2013 #130921-2255 Image Use Policy
    Lehua Island, view at sea aboard Kahana boat, near Niihau, Hawaii. September 21, 2013 #130921-2255 Image Use Policy

    Forest and Kim Starr / CC BY 3.0 us

    Terrain

    22°01′N 160°06′W

    Terrain exaggerated for relief. Drag to look around.

    Overview

    Lehua Island is a small, crescent-shaped island in the Hawaiian Islands, 0.7 miles (1.1 km) north of Niʻihau, 18 miles due west of Kauaʻi. This uninhabited, 285-acre (1.15 km2) barren islet was one of the first five islands sighted by Captain James Cook in 1778 which he spelled as "Oreehoua". Lehua Island is a Hawaii State Wildlife Sanctuary. As a restricted sanctuary, all activities are prohibited on the island without a permit. Public access to the island is restricted to areas below the high tide water mark. Lehua provides habitat for at least 16 species of seabirds. A population of European rabbits had lived on the island for many years but were removed in 2005. Polynesian rats, first documented on the island in the 1930s, were declared eradicated in 2021. When weather and wave conditions permit crossings from Kauaʻi, Lehua is a noted destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. It is also well known for an unusual geological formation dubbed "the keyhole". Located in one of the crescent's narrow arms, this is a tall, thin notch cut from one side, all the way through to the other side of the arm. The United States Coast Guard maintains Lehua Rock Light (a lighthouse) on Kaunuakalā, at 704 feet (215 m) the highest point of the island.

    From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Chart

    Nearest islands

    Also in Hawaiian Islands

    • Hawaii

      10,435 km²▲ 4,205 m

      Major islands

    • Maui

      1,884 km²▲ 3,055 m

      Major islands

    • Oahu

      1,550 km²▲ 1,229 m

      Major islands

    • Kauaʻi

      1,439 km²▲ 1,587 m

      Major islands

    • Molokaʻi

      675 km²▲ 1,506 m

      Major islands

    • Lanai

      365 km²▲ 1,026 m

      Major islands

    • Niʻihau

      186 km²▲ 381 m

      Major islands

    • Kahoolawe

      115 km²▲ 79 m

      Minor islands

    Sources

    Facts

    • Geometry, areas and high points: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Copernicus GLO-30, via Talus.
    • Talus
    • Wikidata
    • Wikipedia