The Oldest River In Hawaii Is A Beautiful Piece Of Living History
By Megan Shute|Published June 28, 2019
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
The Garden Isle might be Hawaii’s fourth largest island, but geologically, it is the oldest of Hawaii’s main islands, formed approximately five million years ago. It seems obvious then, that the oldest rivers in the Aloha State would be found here on the stunning island of Kauai. Meandering through the heart of Waimea Canyon, the Waimea River is not only a fascinating piece of living history but one of the most breathtaking rivers we’ve ever seen.
Located in western Kauai, the Waimea Canyon is often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," and though the expansive canyon is not as big — or as old — as its Arizona cousin, you will surely never experience anything quite like this geological wonder in Hawaii.
At ten miles long, a mile wide and approximately 3,600 feet deep, the Waimea Canyon is home to plants and trees of all shapes and sizes, as well as the jaw-dropping Waimea River.
Waimea River, with help from the extreme rainfall on the island’s central peak, Mount Waialeale — one of the wettest places in the world — helped to erode the Waimea Canyon over time.
Rising in a wet plateau of the island’s central highlands, in the Alakai Swamp — the largest high-elevation swamp in the world — the Waimea River flows south...
The valleys of the Waimea River and its tributary, the Makaweli River, were once heavily populated by native Hawaiians, but are now just stunning pieces of living history showcasing not only the geological formation of Kauai but its human history as well.
While Waimea Canyon State Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Hawaii, the Waimea River is often overshadowed by Hawaii's other fascinating bodies of water. So, the next time you visit this stunning spot, be sure to soak in the beauty of this ravishing river.
Have you ever witnessed the beauty of the Waimea River for yourself? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below, then to discover another incredible Hawaiian river on the island of Kauai, click here.
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