Kaui is the oldest and westernmost of the Hawaiian islands.  It's right next door to Oahu, where Honolulu is.  Like all of the Hawaiian islands, Kauai was created by volcanic activity, but the only island that has an active volcano is the Big Island.  Kauai is one of the wettest spots on earth (often stated as the wettest spot on the planet), which results in the island's lush tropical forests and the nickname "The Garden Isle."

Kauai is the wettest spot on earth, and yet the southern half is semi-arid.  Trade winds from the northeast bring moist, warm air that Kauai's mountains force upwards, where it cools and forms into rain that drops on the north side.  The side the winds hit is referred to as the windward side.  The opposite end of the island, the leeward side, tends to be nice and sunny all the time, since all the rain has already fallen on the windward side.  This is why Poipu in the south has a beachier, more touristy feel while areas in the north like Kilauea are more "true Hawaii."

     We will all be staying in Princeville on the windward side, the prettiest side of the island.  One highway circles about 2/3 of the way around the exterior of the island.  The vast majority of Kauai is inaccessible due to steep mountains and thick jungle.  The northwest side of the island is called the Na Pali Coast, and is accessible only via boat.  Hanalei is basically the end of the road on the north side. 

    Kapa'a ("Ka-pa-ah"), on the east, has a section along the highway with a Myrtle Beach sort of vibe, but is where a large portion of the locals live, since it is essentially the "middle" of the island being in the center of the crescent of highway.  Further south is Lihue ("lee-hoo-ay"), the county seat of Kauai and where the airport is. 

    Curving back around to the south is sunny Poipu, a California-esque vacation community.  West of that is the funky artist village of Hanapepe and the historic seaport of Waimea.  This is where you'll begin your ascent up through Waimea canyon.  Further west is the Pacific Missile Research Center, which is a US military  facility off limits to the public.