Queen's Bath

The Newly Recognized Queen's Bath is a unique tide pool on the island of Kauaʻi, Hawaii. The pool is a sinkhole surrounded by igneous rock.[1] It is located on the north shore of Kauaʻi in the town of Princeville, at 22°13′44.9″N 159°29′15.0″W.[2] Small fish and tiny sea life also live in the tide pool, such as Hawaiʻian sea urchins, angelfish and the so-called "ghost fish".[3]

Waterfall in Queen's Bath, Kauaʻi, Hawaii

The original "Queen's Bath" was located in Kalapana on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi.[4] It was formed after a lava tube collapsed and filled with fresh water supplied by natural springs. In ancient times only the Aliʻi (Royalty) were permitted entry to the sacred waters. In 1983 Kilauea Volcano erupted and in 1987 the original site was destroyed by lava flow.

Only after the original site on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi was destroyed did the location on Kauai become better known as "Queen's Bath". This tide pool was used for what it sounds like; it was a royal bathing place. It was also used as a place of relaxation when an Aliʻi needed to "wash off the stress".

Recreation
Sign warning visitors about drownings

The swimming area is accessible via a short trail. Parts of the trail are steep with slick mud. In the winter, during periods of high surf, it is considered dangerous. As of June 2015, seven people had drowned after being swept off the rocks by the sneaker waves.[5] In small surf, usually in the summer, the water in the pool is calm.

History

Queen's Bath used to be called Keanalele and known for a mound with the most concentrated complex petroglyphs in Hawai'i.[6][7]

References
  1. Sandra Friend (2002). Sinkholes. Pineapple Press Inc. ISBN 978-1-56164-258-8.
  2. Lloyd J. Soehren (2004). "lookup of queen's bath". on Hawaiian place names. Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library. Retrieved 2010-03-15.
  3. John Derrick, Natasha Derrick (2006). Kauai - Mile by Mile Guide: The Best of the Garden Isle. Hawaiian Style Organization LLC. pp. 132–133. ISBN 978-0-9773880-4-2.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  4. Pukui and Elbert (2004). "lookup of queen's bath". on Place Names of Hawai'i. Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library, University of Hawaii. Retrieved 2010-03-15.
  5. "Queen's Bath Safety". Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  6. Cox J. Halley, with Edward Stasack. 1970. Hawaiian Petroglyphs. Bernice P. Bishop Museum Special Publication 60. Honolulu.
  7. "Pu'u-loa" Place names of Hawai'i. Mary Kawena Pukui, Samuel H. Elbert and Ester T. Mookini. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu. 1974.


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