auai may be regarded as a micro-continent, you can travel to different areas of the island and experience the changing weather patterns, from rain forest to high desert. The island of Kauai is regarded by many as the most beautiful island of all Hawaiian Islands, and among the most beautiful in the world. Kauai's 550 square miles offer a variety of microclimates and life styles.
	n the center of Kauai is a mile-high extinct volcano, Mt. Wai'ale'ale, one of the rainiest spots on earth at over 400 inches each year. This creates spectacular waterfalls and rivers which cascade down the steep sides of this and many other extinct volcanoes, visible mostly from Princeville, Hanalei, and the North Shore. This high rainfall is exclusive to the center of Kauai, several miles from the coastal areas, because of the mountaintop micro-climate.
Click on the underlined areas in this box for more information about that micro-climate.

Kauai Weather Main Geographic Areas •  North Shore: Kilauea, Princeville - 3-4"; Hanalei, Haena, Wainiha - 5-7" monthly. •  Eastside: Anahola, Kealia, Kapa'a, Wailua. 2-6" monthly. •  Downtown: Hanamaulu, Puhi, and Lihue, our county seat. 2-6" monthly. •  South Shore: Koloa, Poipu, Lawai, Kalaheo. 3-4" monthly. •  Westside: Port Allen, Hanapepe, Ele'ele, Waimea, Kekaha, Mana. 1-3" monthly. •  Na Pali: Na Pali (literally, 'The Cliffs,' in Hawaiian), the State Parks around Na Pali and Waimea Canyon, most of the inaccessible-by-road island interior. 6-7" monthly.

Rainfall Comparison to other Island Resort Areas Oahu - Honolulu 1-4" monthly Big Island - Kona Coast 3-5" monthly Big Island - Kohala Coast 1-2" monthly Big Island - Hilo 5-12" monthly Maui - Wailea 3-4" monthly Maui - Ka'anapali 1-4" monthly

Kauai Weather statistics courtesy of the University of Hawaii, gathered over many decades (Univ. of Hawaii Press, Atlas of Hawaii, 3rd Ed., pages 56-57).