Kauai Island

More than 3,000 feet deep, Waimea Canyon is aptly referred to as the Grand Canyon of Hawaii. Similarly spectacular layers of red, ochre, pink and orange layers the craggy walls, which plunge to the river canyon below. Raptors soar in the currents above the canyon, and the peace is disturbed only by the sound of the helicopters buzzing visitors down into the canyon. What’s commonly referred to as Waimea Canyon is actually two separate state parks, Waimea Canyon State Park and Kokee State Park, which is further up the mountain. Do it as a driving loop up to Kokee State Park and back down highway 550; the visitors’ center has some interesting displays. Lots of lookouts for photos; stop at a couple lower down and a couple higher up for the contrasting views. Keep in mind that it tends to be ten to 15 degrees cooler up in the mountains above the canyon, and the best visibility is in the morning before the mists descend.