Why Is Waimea Canyon In Kauai Known As the Grand Canyon of the Pacific?

The Hawaiian island of Kauai may be best known for its tropical gardens, but its dramatically beautiful Waimea canyon is the highlight of any visit there.

Mark Twain once called this 10-mile (16-km)-long, 2-mile (3.2-km)-wide, and nearly 3,000-foot (914-m)-deep canyon the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”

Its red rock walls remind visitors of Arizona’s Grand Canyon, but Waimea Canyon also features lush plant life, creating dramatic contrasts of red and green.

The canyon was formed by the many streams cutting through rock on this rainy side of the island.