The Grand Canyon of the Pacific. 10mi long and 3000' deep Waimea means red-water in Hawaiian.
The Waimea river is the largest and longest river on Kauai. At 22mi it flows from the Alaka'i swamp the largest high elevation swamp in the world.
While technically not a true swamp but a series of bogs located on a plateau near Mount Wai'ale'ale the highest point on Kauai at 5148' and one of the wettest places on earth.
Waimea Falls
The canyon was formed by a combination of volcanic activity a partial collapse of the island and the long erosion oft he river.
Over time the iron content in the bassalt cliffs oxidized giving the canyon its red hue.
Waipo'o Falls are a much less dramatic set of falls you can hike too along a steep and muddy 3mi RT hike.
The Waimea river empties into the Pacific near where Captain Cook first landed in 1778.
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