Green Lake (Hawaii)

Green Lake^[1] (Hawaiian: Ka Wai o Pele)^[2] was a freshwater crater lake in Puʻu Kapoho crater on the island of Hawaiʻi. With a surface area of 0.8 hectares (2.0 acres) and a maximum depth of 61 metres (200 ft),^[3] it was the largest natural freshwater lake in the Hawaiian Islands,^[4] and, along with Lake Waiau, was one of two freshwater lakes on Hawaiʻi Island.

Green Lake
Ka Wai o Pele
Green Lake, photographed in the 1890s
Green Lake Show map of Hawaii Green Lake Show map of Pacific Ocean
Location	Hawaiʻi, United States
Coordinates	19°30′08″N 154°50′22″W
Type	Volcanic crater lake
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	0.5 ha (1.2 acres)
Max. depth	61 m (200 ft)

Hawaiian myths state that the lake was the first place visited by Pele, the volcano deity.^[5] The lake was a popular swimming spot for locals and tourists.^[6] Extensive vegetation, mainly Hibiscus tiliaceus, overhung the lake, shading about twenty percent of the lake's surface.^[4]

On June 2, 2018, the lake was destroyed when lava flowing from Kīlauea's lower Puna eruption boiled it away and completely filled the basin.^[7][8]

• 
  Ka Wai o Pele
• 
  Aerial photograph of lava flows evaporating Green Lake on June 2, 2018

See also

• Halalii Lake
• Halulu Lake