Kauai, Hawaii's fourth largest island, is separated into five main regions: Lihue, the East Side (Coconut Coast), the North Shore, the South Shore and the West Side.
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Occupying 552 square miles, Kauai is circular in shape with lush, mountainous regions in its center and beaches covering almost half its shoreline. Kauai's age makes it one of the most scenic islands in Hawaii from the 3,000-foot elevations of Waimea Canyon to the waterfalls and deep gorges of 5,148-foot Mount Waialeale in the uninhabited center of Kauai, which you can only view by air.
Kauai's most striking geographic feature is the Napali Coast, which rivals any of the world's grandest coastlines. The Napali Coast's 17-mile coastline took millions of years to form from wind and water erosion. The results are cliffs thousands of feet high, complete with green valleys, towering waterfalls and hidden sea caves. These breathtaking cliffs can only be seen from the sea, by air or by hiking the Kalalau Trail. You can also get an excellent view of the whole coast from Kee Beach and a valley view from the Kalalau Lookout beyond Kokee State Park.