Lehua, Crescent-shaped island north of Niihau, Hawaii, United States.
Lehua is an uninhabited volcanic island located off the coast of Kauai with a distinctive crescent shape. It rises roughly 704 feet above the water and covers an area of about 285 acres.
The island was documented by Captain James Cook in 1778 during his Pacific voyage under the name Oreehoua. It later became protected land managed as a state wildlife sanctuary.
The waters surrounding the island hold significance for Niihau residents who gather limpets and maintain connections to ancestral practices.
The land is protected as a wildlife sanctuary with strict access limits, requiring permits for any land activities. Visitors are only allowed below the high tide mark, so advance planning is essential.
A United States Coast Guard lighthouse stands atop the summit to assist ships with navigation in these Pacific waters. This maritime landmark remains visible from considerable distances and marks the island's connection to seafaring history.
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