The exquisite red, blue, green and purple colors of the Waimea Canyon are one of natures natural wonders that begs to be seen. Nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" by Mark Twain, is an experience not to be missed when visiting the "Garden Isle", the beautiful island of Kauai.

The Canyon ranges ten miles long and one mile wide with a depth of 3500 feet. Wild roses, lavender, celadons, siennas and yellow ginger climb the canyon walls creating waves of color cascading throughout the emerald green eucalyptus trees.

The brilliant red of the walls is due to the exposed basalt of thick lava pools once flowing some 5 million years ago, weathered from its original black to bright red. Kauai was formed not only by the deep incision of the Wiamea river, but also by a catastrophic collapse, of the volcano it sits atop of.

When traveling to see the wonder of the canyon it is best to go in the morning when the air is crisp and clear providing a view that can be seen for miles. If you wish to go for a wonderful morning breakfast take highway 552-Kokee road in Wiamea Canyon State Park. Look for the Kukui and Lliau Loop trails between mile markers 8 and 9. There, taking the Lliau Loop (quarter-mile hike), you will find not only identified dry land forest plants but also an amazing view looking up the canyon. A view you can enjoy while eating bagels and cream cheese in the covered picnic area.

If you are driving the canyon, then take Waimea Canyon Road - the views are best from this road and there are many lookouts to stop at each with its own amazing view. At the top of the highway you will come to the Kalalua Lookout and about a mile up the Pu'u o Kila Lookout - from these lookouts you will experience a breathtaking view of the Kalalau valley, and if you are one of the lucky ones, you will see a rainbow dancing over the valley, perhaps as a memory to the people that lived there till 1919.

For the adventurous there is the 11-mile Kalalua trail - what some consider one of the most beautiful trails in the world. You can hike just two miles of this trail to Hanakapi'ai Beach and head back again without a permit - if you go farther it is best to stay over night, hence a permit becomes a necessity. The end of this 11 mile hike will bring you to Kalalau beach, where there are facilities and a waterfall just to make it worth your while. It is well worth a day, or two, as some of the sights you will see on this magnificent trail cannot be experienced anywhere else in the world.