This week marked the second significant
snow that occurred on Mauna Kea this year. If you have read about Mauna Kea in
my book, you know that there is a lake at an elevation of 13,400 feet – Lake Waiʻau.
You will also know that as of last summer the lake had almost dried up, largely
because there has been no significant snow on Mauna Kea in several years.
There have now been two storms which
dumped enough snow at the summit so that the skiers have once again taken to
the slopes. As strange as it may seem, there can be the opportunity to ski in
tropical Hawaiʻi. However, the more meaningful aspect of the snow, to me at any
rate, will be its effect on Lake Waiʻau. The lake is a sacred spot in Hawaiʻi
and is revered in many religious rites. Thus the big question becomes: will the
snow make a difference in the existence of Lake Waiʻau?
I will have another post on this subject
in the not too distant future. After the snow season is over we will hike into
the lake to see what changes have occurred over the winter. Hopefully, the
amount of water in the lake will have increased, although it probably will not
be back to its former level. One year of good snow probably did not undo years
of drought. So, until we hike in, keep your fingers crossed.
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