I am trying to find out which area to set up a base and need some sort of direction. I am planning on making it up to the Hanakapi'ai Falls this trip....On the last one, twisted my knee on the the Awa'awapuhi Trail which I plan on hiking again (probably AFTER the Hanakapi'ai Falls hike). I will be like a pendulum back and forth between the North Shore and the West Side Kokee State Park - Kalalau Lookout and the Awa'awapuhi Trail.

Okay.....bottom line. Where should I set up base camp?

Thanks for any tips.

Oh yeah....I will be there for 7 days.

When is your trip? Kauai is a small island so easy to drive from south to north or vice versa. I personally would avoid the East Shore due to lack of swimmable beaches with 3 exceptions plus the traffic is terrible there.

Thank you for the reply. I will be heading over there around the second week of June.

Just got back from a 15 day stay in that hellhole of an island.
We've been staying in the Wailua/Kapaa area ever since our yearly trips started in '89.

Central to everything especially inexpensive restaurants, grocery stores and airport.

About 30-45 mins to Hanalei/Haena depending on traffic, ditto Poipu and maybe 45-60 mins to Kokee/Kalalau/Polihale.

I hiked the Sleeping Giant for the first time in over 5yrs (pesky little health problem finally resolved) and I forgot how awesome the 360 degree view was once you've made it to his noggin. Jacked up my knee on the way down. Needed a therapy combo of The OC's Bloody Mary and KBC's Big Wave Lager to start recovery.

June would be beautiful all over the island. My personal preference would be the North Shore, most beaches should be swimmable then up there, maybe take a boat tour of the Na Pali coast if budget and time permits.
You would have to drive to the west shore for Waimea Canyon and the Awa-awapuhi trail, but you would have to drive north if you stayed in Poipu to hike the first two miles to the falls. So it is really a matter of personal preference.
Hi Kal, nice to "see" you, my hiking days are over these days due to mobility issues, sounds like a great trip.

Alohaaaaaaaaaaa jamie.....I was a bit leery due to an already arthritic knee which I jammed up when it gave way coming down The Sleeping Giant's backside this trip.
I hope to be ready for another shot at the Hanalei Canoe Club's "8 Mile Haena to Hanalei" event the first Sat in June.
While it's all Kuhio Hwy, those 3-4 hills are not your friends!

Something the OP might be interested in? Along with Taste of Hawaii the first Sunday at Smith's in Wailua.

And yes...June is a beautiful month on Kauai.

Thank you to all who responded. June seems so far away at this point. Kai....I would love to make the Sleeping Giant hike, thank you for the tip. I have decided to stay in Poipu - just making it easier for those who I am traveling with. (My first time traveling with others). Perhaps on my next trip, I will stay in the Wailua/Kapaa area. My concern was the noise from the airport.

I will be arriving after the Taste of Hawaii event so I will not be able to make it on THIS trip. I am trying to make these hikes while I am still in my middle 50s. Who knows what ailments the years may bring?

Now, I have to plan the excursions and the next trip back to Kauai.

Mahalo!