Hua Islet
# Hua Islet

Hua Islet (Chinese: 花嶼; Hanyu Pinyin: Huā Yǔ; Tongyong Pinyin: Hua Yǔ; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Hoe-sū; lit. 'flower islet') is an islet in Huayu Village (花嶼村), Wangan Township, Penghu County (the Pescadores), Taiwan. Hua Islet is the westernmost point in Penghu (the Pescadores). The island has also been known as "West Islet" (西嶼). The Japanese-built Huayu Lighthouse (Hua Islet Lighthouse) is located on the southwestern hill of the island.

Ferries run periodically between Magong and Hua Islet as well as between Wangan Island and Hua Islet.

## History

Huayu Lighthouse (Hua Islet Lighthouse) was built in 1939 as part of Japanese military planning for the area.

The handover of Taiwan to the Republic of China occurred in 1945. Huayu Village (花嶼村) was established in 1946.

Residents on the island originally used a deep well for water. Over time, the well has dried up and a seawater desalination plant was built in 2019. On August 11, 2019, the desalination plant failed, leading to complaints from the residents. The plant was restored to normal operation by August 20.

On the afternoon of October 5, 2019, an unnamed ship from China was caught violating Taiwanese waters 21 nmi (39 km) to the northwest of Hua Islet. The ship was boarded and the crew arrested.

## Geography

Hua Islet is the westernmost point in Penghu (the Pescadores), situated 18 km (11 mi) to the west-northwest of Wangan Island, 8 km (5.0 mi) to the north of the Mau Islets (Mao Islets; 貓嶼) and 8.5 km (5.3 mi) to the north of Cau Islet (Cao Islet; 草嶼).

The island is shaped like a triangle. The highest point on the island is 53 m (174 ft) above sea level.

The island is granitic making it geologically distinct from the other islands in Penghu (the Pescadores).

