Are There Natural Lakes in Hawaii?

No, Hawaii has no natural lakes. The Hawaiian Islands are a volcanic archipelago formed by a mantle hotspot. The geology—porous basalt lava flows, high permeability, and steep topography—does not allow surface water to accumulate in permanent, natural lake basins.

What you will find:

• Ponds & Tanks: Small, often seasonal or human-enhanced bodies (e.g., fishponds, irrigation reservoirs).
• Reservoirs: Man-made impoundments for water supply, agriculture, or flood control (e.g., Lake Wilson / Wahiawa Reservoir on Oahu, Waita Reservoir on Kauai).
• Tarns: Tiny, high-elevation pools in volcanic craters or glacial depressions (rare, mostly on Mauna Kea/Mauna Loa).
• Anchialine Pools: Unique coastal brackish pools connected underground to the ocean, home to endemic shrimp (ʻōpaeʻula).

The largest freshwater body in the state is Lake Wilson (Wahiawa Reservoir) on Oahu, covering ~300 acres—but it's entirely artificial. So if you're looking for a natural lake in Hawaii, you won't find one; the water goes underground or runs straight to the sea.