re: Where to stay on Kauai?

I was grubbing poke like it was no one's business. Definitely get some of that... Hit up a fruit stand along the highway, it is a must. Try the frozen Lychee if they have any. The hike at the end of the highway was called Ke'e I believe. The beach at the beginning of the hike is shallow and crystal clear. Spent a good amount of time relaxing there. The hot spring waterfall at the end of the hike is ridiculous. Highly suggested. The trail might be one of the best views of Na'Pali coast other then from a helicopter. All this talk makes me want to book a flight. Next time I want to rent a house on the north shore. Truly magical. I did enjoy the centralized location of Lihue though.

Mount Wai'ale'ale at the center of the island is the wettest place on earth averaging around 452 inches a year (I think Seattle gets 220.) It carves out rivers and waterfalls to the north east and south while the west is a desert/canyon. You pretty much get a little bit of everything on the island. Our heli tour guide told us that 80% of the island is only accessible from helicopter.