But hey - I always am one who likes to see as much as you can the first time, so yes, you could spli

We'll be on Kauai for 10 days October 5 -16- first trip to this Island -and we'd appreciate recommendations from Fodorites on best value lodging - rustic with kitchen or plantation-type setting would be great.
Have you already booked your trip? We just returned from our second time in Kauai. It's such a beautiful island, but personally, I think 10 days is a little long. I would split my time between two islands, such as five days on Kaui and five days on Maui.
I/we love Kauai - and you could easily split your time there - with a week or so at one end of the island (you can sometimes get better deals on a weekly rental) - and the rest of the time at the other side.
While we love the North Shore, and in early Oct - it should still be fairly budget rent a car orlando calm - but the waves might start to kick up a bit - so perhaps a week down in sunny Poipu would be the best for beach lounging/swimming/snorkeling - while you could also enjoy the beauty of North shore for a few days.
Just so you know - Kauai - the "Garden Isle" - is the smallest of the 4 main Hawaiian isles, and easy to get around - and from the North Shore - at Princeville/Hanalei - down to the south end at Poipu - is usually not much more than an hour - and on to the "Grand Canyon" is about a nother half an hour where you start up the hill.
That is - unless you hit the "rush hour" commute in Kapaa/mid-island budget rent a car orlando - and that could slow you down a few minutes - but there is a "bypass" that you can find around Kapaa town - which is pretty much shown in all the tourist mags you can pick up at the airport - which have good, fold out maps.
But hey - I always am one who likes to see as much as you can the first time, so yes, you could split your time between two islands - Kauai - and say Maui - or even Big Island - which is our second favorite.
Yes, you have enough time to split your stay. But there's MORE than enough to keep you in bliss for ten days on Kauai. (I'll be there for the entire month of October--and I promise I won't be bored.)
FYI, those cabins in Koke'e are REALLY rustic--meaning like camping--but with a roof over your head. I wouldn't suggest staying there more than one or two nights because you'd be quite far from anything other than Waimea Canyon. You'd have at least a 30 minute ride down a windy canyon to get to the main road.
The location is beautiful and puts you close to Ke'e beach, beginning of Kalalau trail, Limahuli Gardens, tunnels beach, and not too far from the town of Hanalei for several restaurants and shopping. A week at HCR is heaven for me!
ALOHA you gave some good suggestions on low key places. I agree that staying up at waimea canyon for more than 2 days cuts you off from the rest of the island. 10 days is perfect. actually budget rent a car orlando we like to rent Condo for a week and then check into a lovely hotel and be pampered for a few days before we go home. Let someone else make our bed and clean the room!
Absolutely, stay for the entire time on Kaua'i. Since it is your first trip, I would think if you split your time on the North and on the South, it would be perfect. That will give you the opportunity to determine where you want to stay when you go back! And, trust me...you will go back. It's a serious disease called "Kaua'i-itis". It is uncurable! Have fun!