Wahiawa is located in the Wahiawa District, on the plateau or "central valley" between the two volcanic mountain ranges the Waianae on the west and the Ko'olau's on the east. In Hawaiian, wahi a wa means "place of noise", perhaps a reference to the fact that once upon a time, heavy surf on the distant coast could be heard here. The valley's population was 16,151 according to the 2000 census.
Lakes and reservoirs are rare in Hawaii, and Wahiawa is at once unique in being surrounded on three sides by Lake Wilson (also known as Wahiawa Reservoir or Kaukonahua). The town must be accessed by either of two bridges on Kamehameha Highway (State Rte. 80) across the narrow north and south arms of the reservoir. Outside of the reservoir, the town used to be surrounded by military bases and agricultural fields, but development is making its way up from the increasingly urbanized southern portion of the central plain. Still, there are significant U.S. Army facilities here, including Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army Airfield, and East Range, an Army training area extending into the hills south and east of town. Schofield Barracks alone is larger than Wahiawa. Wahiawa is also the home of the U.S. Navy's Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Pacific.
Mt. Ka'ala the highest peak in Oahu (4,003 ft) is located near Wahiawa in the Waianae Volcanic range. The Wahiawa Reservoir or Lake Wilson is also located in Wahiawa, it is second largest reservoir in Hawaii at (302 acres). It is used to irrigate agricultural fields including the Dole Pineapple Plantation fields which are located at the northern part of Wahiawa. The Wahiawa reservoir also feeds the Anahulu Stream, (also known as Anahulu River), which runs north from the lake all the way towards O‘ahu's North Shore where it empties into the bay at Hale‘iwa.
Places to visit in and around Wahiawa
Dole Plantation — is located 2.5 miles north of Wahiawa on the Kamehameha highway (State Route 99). The plantation features exhibits about the history of pineapple farming on the islands. The exhibits also display farming techniques used and the history and industry's impact on the economy of Hawaii. The plantation garden tour offers a close-up look at the tropical crops grown on the islands these include coffee, bananas, pinapples and cacao. You can also ride the "Pinnaple Express" which is a 20 minute train ride on a 2.2 mile narrow gauge railroad. The train takes you through fields of growing pinnapples, bananas and coffee. You can also travel through the world's largest Pinnapple Garden Maze,(Pictured Below), which will be fun for the entire family.
Schofield Barracks — is the largest Army post in Hawaii, located on an 18,000 acre site in central Oahu. It is named in honor of LTG John M. Schofield, who, in 1872 recognized the strategic importance of Oahu to the defense of the United States. Construction was began on the barracks in 1909.
This active military facility contains the, "Tropical Lightning Museum", the museum is accessed though Lyman Gate. This museum displays artifacts and information about the 25th Infantry Division that is stationed here, the 25th Infantry Division was nickname the, "Tropical Lighting" while fighting in the Philippines in WW II. The museum showcases the history of the 25th Infanty Division and the Schofield Barracks. There are archives, artifacts, photos and interactive exhibits.
Wahiawa Botanical Garden — is located near the town of Wahiawa, it is part of of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens system. This is a unique garden system provides visitors the opportunity to view diverse plant collections at five different garden sites around the island of Oahu. This Botanical Garden is 27 acre Garden on a high elevation plateau in Central Oahu it home to tropical flora that require a cooler environment. A special effort has been made to develop the collection of native Hawaiian plants.
In the 1920's, the Hawaii Sugar Planters Association leased land from the State of Hawaii as a site for experimental tree planting. Most of the large trees still growing here date from that decade and were planted under the direction of Dr. Harold Lyon. Control of the property was transferred to the City and County of Honolulu in 1950. It was opened as a botanical garden in 1957.
The gardens are open daily from: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. But it is closed on Christmas and New Year's Day.
Lakes and reservoirs are rare in Hawaii, and Wahiawa is at once unique in being surrounded on three sides by Lake Wilson (also known as Wahiawa Reservoir or Kaukonahua). The town must be accessed by either of two bridges on Kamehameha Highway (State Rte. 80) across the narrow north and south arms of the reservoir. Outside of the reservoir, the town used to be surrounded by military bases and agricultural fields, but development is making its way up from the increasingly urbanized southern portion of the central plain. Still, there are significant U.S. Army facilities here, including Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army Airfield, and East Range, an Army training area extending into the hills south and east of town. Schofield Barracks alone is larger than Wahiawa. Wahiawa is also the home of the U.S. Navy's Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Pacific.
Dole Plantation — is located 2.5 miles north of Wahiawa on the Kamehameha highway (State Route 99). The plantation features exhibits about the history of pineapple farming on the islands. The exhibits also display farming techniques used and the history and industry's impact on the economy of Hawaii. The plantation garden tour offers a close-up look at the tropical crops grown on the islands these include coffee, bananas, pinapples and cacao. You can also ride the "Pinnaple Express" which is a 20 minute train ride on a 2.2 mile narrow gauge railroad. The train takes you through fields of growing pinnapples, bananas and coffee. You can also travel through the world's largest Pinnapple Garden Maze,(Pictured Below), which will be fun for the entire family.
Schofield Barracks — is the largest Army post in Hawaii, located on an 18,000 acre site in central Oahu. It is named in honor of LTG John M. Schofield, who, in 1872 recognized the strategic importance of Oahu to the defense of the United States. Construction was began on the barracks in 1909.