Visiting the Majestic and Humbling Waimea Canyon: The Grand Canyon of the Pacific

Mark Twain dubbed it as "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific" and true to its name Waimea Canyon  is the largest canyon in the Pacific and a dramatic, mammoth and humbling sight to behold. Located on the southwest side of Kauai in Waimea, it is open all day during the daytime hours and the admission is free.

Although not so big as it’s Arizona cousin, but at 14 miles long, 1 mile wide, and more than 3,600 ft. deep, it’s a geological wonder. ‘Waimea’ in Hawaiian means ‘red water’ and it refers to the red color run off because of erosion of canyon red soil. The canyon was carved thousands of years ago by flow of water in Waimea river because of record rainfall on the island's central peak, Mount Waiʻaleʻale, among the wettest places on earth.

The canyon is a part of the Kokee State Park, which covers an area of over 4,300 acres (17.4 sq. km) and includes 45 miles (72.4 km) of hiking trails. The trails require various level of expertise, some are only for experts while, others can be scaled by beginners too. The trails take visitors along the rim and down into the canyon. If you prefer a bird’s-eye view, take to the skies and enjoy a helicopter tour of the canyon.

We did not do any hiking but just drove through the Waimea Canon Drive, which is the main access road, stopping at places to soak in the beautiful vistas.

on the way to Waimea canyon 

You can access the Waimea Canyon and Koke’e state park by car via two roads. As you drive past the town of Waimea on the coastal road (Hwy. 50) you can take a turn into the Waimea Canyon Drive (Hwy. 550) or you can drive past the town of Waimea and turn into Koke'e Road (Hwy. 55) at Kekaha.  Waimea Canyon Drive merges into Koke'e Road around mile marker 6 and continue further as Koke’e Road.

The Waimea Canyon Drive (later the Kokee Road)  is the main access road. There are 4 main lookouts, with ample parking spaces that offer panoramic views of two of Kauai’s treasures: Waimea Canyon and Kalalau Valley.

Along the way to Waimea Canyon Lookout

Along the way to Waimea Canyon Lookout

Along the way to Waimea Canyon Lookout

A small waterfall, along the way to Waimea Canyon Lookout

Along the way to Waimea Canyon Lookout, Note the red mud all along

The Kokee Hwy

Hurrah! I am on the top 

Food truck 

The first lookout at 10- mile mark on Kokee Rd (Hwy 550) is Waimea Canyon Lookout, it has got a huge parking lot. It also offers a concrete platform with guard rails and boasts a 360-degree panoramic view of the valley below.

We also found a food truck in the parking lot selling cold tropical fruits and local Hawaiian food.

View form Waimea Canyon Lookout 

View form Waimea Canyon Lookout 

View form Waimea Canyon Lookout 

View form Waimea Canyon Lookout 

View form Waimea Canyon Lookout , the people add the scale

View form Waimea Canyon Lookout 

View form Waimea Canyon Lookout 

The next lookout we came across was the Puu Ka Pele lookout, which is a small lookout near 13-mile marker on Hwy.550. We did not stop here and headed Puu Hinahina lookout between 13-14-mile markers on the same Hwy. This lookout offers more scenic views of canyon from a different angle. Here you will see a board that looks towards the forbidden island of Ni’ihau.

View from Puu Hinahina lookout 

View from Puu Hinahina lookout 

How tiny we are in front of Nature's Grandeur 

Niʻihau is the westernmost and seventh largest inhabited island in Hawaiʻi. It is 17.5 miles southwest of Kauaʻi across the Kaulakahi Channel. True to its nickname “The Forbidden Island” it is owned by a single family for more than 150 years and remains insulated from the outside world.

A Glimpse Inside Hawaii’s ‘Forbidden Island’ is an informative, beautiful and worth reading article about people of Ni’ihau by Huffington Post.

The forbidden island of Niihau, as seen from Kauai. Courtesy: Getty images 

Niihau is famous for its shell leis. Buy the Niihau Shell Jewelry and Shell Leis

As you pass the Puu Hinahina lookout, you will come to Kokee lodge and Kokee Natural History Museum which are a part of Kokee State Park.

The  Kokee State Park, it is 4,345 acres of rainforest, about 4200 feet above sea level, situated  on the edge of the Alakai Swamp, the largest swamp in Hawaii, on the summit plateau of Kauai. The forest is home to wide variety of native flora and fauna.

Situated next to the lodge is Kokee Natural History Museum, open daily from 10AM to 4 PM it is the best place to learn more about the rainforest, trails and the Alakai Swamp before you begin to venture deep in the forrest. Admission is free, though there is a Donation Box at the door. 

Courtesy: Tripadvisor.com

It has extensive selection of Hawaiian books, fine local craft and art, and exclusive gift items like Ni‘ihau Shell jewelry. Look for Kaua’i Made items! Donʻt miss exclusive items created especially by Hui o Laka – hiking sticks, exclusive t-shirts and more! 

It is advisable to take Pocket Guide on Native Plants on the Nature Trail for Kokee State Park and the Road Guide to Kokee and Waimea Canyon State Park.

For more information contact:

State Division of Parks, 3060 Eiwa St., Room 306, Lihue, HI 96766

(tel. 808/274-3444) 

Buy Kokee State Park Souvenirs

The Kokee Lodge

The Kokee lodge is decorated in rustic style and offer cabins with bunk bed (Dormitory Type) or 2-bedroom units. On-site there's a gift shop, cocktail lounge and restaurant serving local and international food, plus hiking trails, bird watching and hunting. It is open for breakfast daily from 9am to 2:30pm.

You can camp at Koke‘e State Park with proper permit.

Contact: Kokee Lodge Manager, P.O. Box 819, Waimea, HI 96796 (tel. 808/335-6061).

(tel. 808/335-9975)

www.kokee.org

You will find various tour operators that offer some of the best Waimea Canyon Tours including day hike, family-friendly sightseeing tours, and spectacular helicopter tours that'll take you right into this geologic marvel.

As you move forward along the road, at 18-mile marker, you come to Kalalau Lookout. I will be writing shortly about the Kalalau lookout. And finally, about 1 mile from the Kalalau Lookout, the Kokee Hwy 550 comes to an end at the Pu’u O Kila Lookout. Located at some 4,000-foot elevation, it offers a spectacular and glorious perspective of the lush green Kalalau Valley, its rugged peaks and the teal blue ocean beyond.  It also overlooks the Alakai Swamp, which is one of the wettest and highest swamp in the world. 

View from the Pu’u O Kila Lookout

Kalalau Valley 

You can embark on two trails at this point, the 7-mile (11-kilometer) round-trip Alakai Swamp Trail and the Pihea Trail, which goes around the Kalalau Valley before reaching the Alakai Swamp.

Alakai Swamp Trail 

Pihea Trail

Here is a Map to Waimea Canyon Lookout and Kokee State Park

No hike water falls: The beautiful Wailua Falls in Kauai

Getty images

Wailua Falls is an 83 foot waterfall located just North of Lihue tucked away behind the Kalepa Mountain Forest Reserve in Hanamā‘ulu.(Kauai, Hawaii).It cascades into 2 streams below and form a shallow pool nearly 30 feet deep and then feeds into the Wailua River.

 It catapulted into the international spotlight back in the 1970's, when it was featured into opening credits of the well-known television series Fantasy Island. It also appears on many island memorabilia, postcards, print and digital media.

According to Hawaiian Legend, it was at this enchanting waterfall that Hawaiian men (men), possibly ali‘i (royalty), would test their endurance by jumping the some 83-feet into the shallow 30-foot pool below. Folklore also says that many of these men never made it back.

It is easily accessible by car and there is plenty of parking available at the site.

It can also be seen by Kauai helicopter and Kauai airplane tours.

You can get to the bottom of the falls by 2 hiking trails. The first one is near the guard rail of the parking lot, this is very steep and muddy.

The second one is located further down the road. If you walk back nearly a quarter mile from the parking lot you will come to this trail. It is longer but descends gradually and is safer to hike.

But, the county advises against taking the trails and going down at the bottom of the fall.

The best view of the fall is from the overlook above. In addition, you are treated with a bonus of seeing a beautiful rainbow at the right angle of the sun.

There was a native Hawaiian man making straw hats and selling local jewelry near the overlook. We brought  some very cheap beautiful jewelry made up of abalone shell. 

Rainbow over the falls 

Rainbow over the falls 

The second,safer hike down the fall

Greenery along the way  to the Wailua Falls

Greenery along the way  to the Wailua Falls

Greenery along the way  to the Wailua Falls

The Wailua River

Kauai is also famous for premium Kauai coffee. Shop Hawaiian Kauai coffee here

How to get to the Wailua falls

Take on Hwy. 56 and make a right turn after mile marker 1. You'll notice a road on your left- Maalo Road/Hwy. 583- which also have a sign pointing in the direction of the falls. Follow the signs, and after a winding road amid lot of greenery, the road ends into the parking lot. Plenty of parking it available and the fall is located on your right.