Waimea Canyon, Kaua’i, Hawaii, United States of America

Waimea Canyon, Kaua’i, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 1 — Waimea Canyon Lookout, at an elevation of 3,400 feet, off the main road at mile marker 10, is the primary canyon overlook and offers an expansive full-on view of the geologically kaleidoscopic vibrant red and green colors of Waimea Canyon; this panorama photograph was stitched together from 11 separate photographs – click on the photograph for a larger version to be downloaded to your tablet or computer screen

From our ship docked at the Nawiliwili Cruise Terminal near Līhu’e, Kaua’i, in the U.S. state of Hawaii, we drove our rental car west for about an hour to reach the small coastal town of Waimea and then drove uphill through the Waimea Canyon State Park.  The scenic state park overlooks the colorful cliffs and the gargantuan abyss of lava rock of Waimea Canyon – also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, stretching over 14 miles [22 kilometers] long and about 1mile [1.6 kilometers] wide.  The canyon is about 3,600 feet [1,097 meters] in depth.  The canyon was carved by the flowing waters of the Waimea River.  The stunning gorges and buttes of Waimea Canyon highlight Kauai’s geological evolution over millions of years, with colorful cliffs in geologically kaleidoscopic shades of red and green that invite visitors to take photographs, especially as the cloud cover changes and the angle of the sun changes over the course of a visit.  At the bottom of the colorful gorge runs the Waimea River.  The Hawaiian name Waimea translates to “red (or reddish) waters,” and the color of the water is in fact red.

Waimea Canyon, Kaua’i, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 2

Waimea Canyon, Kaua’i, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 3

Hawaiian language words behind some of the Hawaiian names:

Waimea – wai means “fresh water”.  It holds such value that the word for value, worth, or importance is Wai Wai.  Water twice.  The native people of Hawai’i have a deep connection with water.  Mea means “thing”,”object” or “reddish-brown”, as water with red earth in it.  So, waimea means “reddish water”.  Hence the name of the river and the canyon reflect the iron ore in the soils and rocks that are reddish in color [see all the photographs of the canyon rocks].

Hawai’i – ha means a person’s “breath (of life)” or “life”, wai (pronounced VEYE) means “fresh water”, and i (pronounce as a long “E”, as in “Even”) means “god”, or “creator”.

aloha – alo means “presence”, ha means a person’s “breath (of life)” or “life”.  Thus, aloha, literally means “presence of breath”.  The term is used to define a force that holds together existence.  Aloha is the common Hawaiian greeting (for both “hello” and “goodbye”) with over 100 different meanings, including “love”, “peace”, “compassion” to pity and grief, and mercy, among others.

“If you were to ask someone in Hawaii, “What does aloha mean to you?” you may receive a variety of answers. Aloha is an essence of being: love, peace, compassion, and a mutual understanding of respect. Aloha means living in harmony with the people and land around you with mercy, sympathy, grace, and kindness. When greeting another person with aloha, there is mutual regard and affection. This extends with warmth in caring for the other with no obligation to receive anything in return. The direct translation from Hawaiian to English is the presence of divine breath. The Hawaiian word alo is presence, front and face, and ha is breath.” — www.skylinehawaii.com/blog/the-meaning-of-aloha

Waimea Canyon, Kaua’i, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 4

Waimea Canyon, Kaua’i, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 5

The horizontal layers and colors seen on the walls of the canyon reflect a series of lava flows that occurred over the past 4-5 million years.  The reddish hues show the varying levels of iron oxide and the chemical make-up of the lava.  Trees are able to grow along the lower slopes where there is water and soil, while the rocky slopes and ridge tops tend to be dry and barren.  Some of the vegetation can be identified by color.  The native koa trees with their silvery, sickle-shaped leaves and kukui trees with their pale green leaves are the easiest to recognize. 

Waimea Canyon, Kaua’i, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 6

Waimea Canyon, Kaua’i, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 7

Waimea Canyon, Kaua’i, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 8

“The canyon has a unique geologic history as it was formed not only by the steady process of  erosion but also by the catastrophic collapse of the volcano that created Kauaʻi.  Like the other Hawaiian Islands, Kauaʻi is the top of an enormous volcano rising from the ocean floor.  With lava flows dated to about 5 million years ago, Kauaʻi is the oldest of the large Hawaiian Islands.  Roughly 4 million years ago, while Kauaʻi was still erupting almost continuously, a portion of the island collapsed.  This collapse formed a depression which then filled with lava flows.  In the time since, rainwater from the slopes of Mount Waiʻaleʻale have eroded Waimea Canyon along one edge of the collapse.  On the east side of the canyon, the cliff walls are built from thick lava flows that pooled in the depression.  Over time, the exposed basalt has weathered from its original black to bright red.” — Wikipedia

Waimea Canyon, Kaua’i, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 9 — at Waimea Canyon State Park we met a “host” storyteller at one of the “lookouts”, a native Hawaiian who grew up in the Waimea Canyon region and regaled us with stories of native history and culture, including the meaning of several Hawaiian words such as Waimea, Hawai’i, and aloha [see notes above for details] – his cape and hollowed-out gourd were what the Hawaiians used for sun protection for centuries

Waimea Canyon, Kaua’i, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 10

Waimea Canyon, Kaua’i, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 11

Waimea Canyon, Kaua’i, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 12

“Waimea Canyon is not only a geological marvel but also holds cultural significance in Hawaiian history.  The canyon and its surroundings were once home to ancient Hawaiian settlements, and the land is rich with stories passed down through generations.  Interpretive displays at the park offer insights into the cultural heritage of the area, providing a deeper understanding of the connection between the land and its people.

“Waimea Canyon State Park stands as a testament to the raw beauty of nature, a vibrant tapestry of colors, history, and geological marvels.  Whether you’re captivated by the canyon’s grandeur, embark on a hiking adventure, or simply savor the panoramic views, this park offers an unforgettable experience that celebrates the unparalleled wonders of Kauai’s landscapes.“ — www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/waimea-canyon-state-park

Waimea Canyon, Kaua’i, Hawaii, U.S.A, photograph # 13 – we hiked on the Waimea Canyon Trail through the rainforest (with koa trees); the trail ends at the spectacular Waipo’o Falls, which drop about 800 feet [244 meters] vertically

Koa is the largest native tree species in the Hawaiian Islands, reaching heights of approximately 115 feet [35 meters].  Historically, Koa wood was used by early Hawaiians to build ocean-going canoes, surfboards, spear handles, and ukuleles.  Koa was considered the wood of Hawaiian royalty.  Note that due to overcutting, the state of Hawaii passed a law making it illegal to cut down live Koa trees.

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