The island of Kauai basks amidst the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific Ocean about 20 minutes by air from Honolulu. Formed some six million years ago, the island encompasses roughly 550 square miles and is the oldest and northernmost of the main Hawaiian Islands. 
To visit Kauai is to quickly lose yourself in the quiet majesty of the island's lush tropical setting and extraordinary natural heritage. Come, discover the legendary aloha spirit that abounds in this friendly garden island paradise. Kauai is good for people who love the outdoors or who just want to relax. Kauai is the greenest (and the wettest) island in general, which is why it is called the "Garden Isle." There is good hiking in Waimea Canyon ("Grand Canyon of the Pacific"), and along the Na Pali Coast.
The volcano that created Kauai first began erupting some 10 million years ago, making Kauai the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. Once rising more than 10,000 feet above sea level, Olokele Volcano has since eroded down to two main peaks — Wai'ale'ale (5,148 feet) and Kawaikini (5,243 feet) — with the rest of the mountain sinking to form the crater that is home to Alaka'i Swamp. Alaka'i Swamp is the largest high-elevation swamp in the world and the starting point for Waimea River, the longest river in the Islands. The 3,000-foot-deep Waimea Canyon, dubbed "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific," is also the product of these erosive forces.
Kauai's age has also led to something of a geographic anomaly: Although it is one of the smallest of the main Hawaiian Islands, the forces of nature have had more time to break the island down and produce more sand beach around its 110-mile coastline than any other island in the chain. Meanwhile, it remains the least populated of Hawaii's four counties (with roughly 56,000 permanent residents), and both development and tourism have been concentrated in relatively few locations. All of which furthers the sense that Kauai is, in fact, a separate kingdom. The north shore of Kauai (Princeville) has one luxury resort and several condominiums. The north shore is very beautiful, green, and lush. In general, there is more rain on the North and East coasts of Kauai, and the least on the South, due to the prevailing trade winds which come out of the Northeast.
The south shore of the island (Poipu) is generally pretty dry even during the rainy winter months. There are 2 resorts, and several moderate condos in Poipu. The south shore is the best area to stay in if you are traveling during the winter months.
The east shore (Kapaa, Wailua) has mainly budget and moderate accommodations, with the weather being somewhere between the north and south shores.
