Kauai County, Hawaii

Kauaʻi County (Hawaiian: Kalana o Kauaʻi) (officially known as the County of Kauaʻi) is a county in the U.S. state of Hawaiʻi. It consists of the islands of Kauaʻi, Niʻihau, Lehua, and Kaʻula. As of the 2020 Census the population was 73,298.[1] The county seat is Līhuʻe.[2]

Kauai County
County
Captain James Cook statue
Captain James Cook statue
Official seal of Kauai County
Seal
Map of Hawaii highlighting Kauai County
Location within the U.S. state of Hawaii
Map of the United States highlighting Hawaii
Hawaii's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 22°04′00″N 159°39′00″W
Country United States
State Hawaii
Founded1905
SeatLihue
Largest communityKapa‘a
Government
 • MayorDerek Kawakami
Area
 • Total1,266 sq mi (3,280 km2)
 • Land620 sq mi (1,600 km2)
 • Water646 sq mi (1,670 km2)  51.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total73,298
 • Density58/sq mi (22/km2)
Time zoneUTC−10 (Hawaii–Aleutian)
 • Summer (DST)HADT
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.kauai.gov

The Kapa'a Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Kauai County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,266 square miles (3,280 km2), of which 620 square miles (1,600 km2) is land and 646 square miles (1,670 km2) (51.0%) is water.[3] The Pacific Ocean surrounds the county.

Adjacent entities

National protected areas

Government and politics

Kauaʻi County has a mayor-council form of municipal government. Executive authority is vested in the Mayor of Kauaʻi, elected by the voters on a nonpartisan basis to a four-year term. Legislative authority is vested in the seven-member County Council. All members of the County Council are elected on a nonpartisan, at-large basis to two-year terms.

United States Congress

Kauai County, like the rest of Hawaii, is represented entirely by Democrats in both the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives.

Senators Name Party First Elected Level
  Senate Class 1 Mazie Hirono Democratic 2013 Junior Senator
  Senate Class 3 Brian Schatz Democratic 2012 Senior Senator
Representatives Name Party First Elected Area(s) of Kauai County Represented
  District 2 Jill Tokuda Democratic 2023 entire county

Hawaii Senate
District Name Party First Elected Area(s) of Kauaʻi County Represented
  8 Ron Kouchi Democratic 2010 entire county

Hawaii House of Representatives
District Name Party First Elected Area(s) of Kauaʻi County Represented
  15 Nadine Nakamura Democratic 2016 Hā‘ena, Wainiha, Hanalei, Princeville, Kīlauea, Anahola, Keālia, Kāpa‘a, portion of Wailuā, Kawaihau
  16 Luke Evslin Democratic 2023[lower-alpha 1] Wailuā, Hanamāʻulu, Kapaia, Līhuʻe, Puhi, portion of ʻŌmaʻo
  17 Dee Morikawa Democratic 2011 Niʻihau, portion of ʻŌmaʻo, Kōloa, Po‘ipū, Lāwa‘i, Kalāheo, ‘Ele‘ele, Hanapēpē, Kaawanui Village, Pākalā Village, Waimea, Kekaha


Federal

Kauai County has traditionally been a solid Democratic stronghold. The county has not voted Republican since the 1984 federal election, when it narrowly voted in favor of Ronald Reagan.

United States presidential election results for Kauai County, Hawaii[5]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 11,582 34.58% 21,225 63.36% 690 2.06%
2016 7,574 28.76% 16,456 62.49% 2,305 8.75%
2012 6,121 24.13% 18,641 73.47% 610 2.40%
2008 6,245 22.94% 20,416 74.99% 563 2.07%
2004 9,740 39.15% 14,916 59.96% 220 0.88%
2000 6,583 30.23% 13,470 61.87% 1,720 7.90%
1996 5,325 25.33% 13,357 63.54% 2,338 11.12%
1992 6,274 32.80% 10,715 56.02% 2,138 11.18%
1988 8,298 40.95% 11,770 58.08% 198 0.98%
1984 9,249 50.45% 8,862 48.34% 221 1.21%
1980 5,883 35.39% 9,081 54.64% 1,657 9.97%
1976 6,278 43.23% 8,105 55.81% 139 0.96%
1972 7,571 58.36% 5,401 41.64% 0 0.00%
1968 4,140 36.49% 7,051 62.15% 155 1.37%
1964 1,971 18.45% 8,713 81.55% 0 0.00%
1960 5,655 54.95% 4,636 45.05% 0 0.00%

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
190020,734—
191023,95215.5%
192029,43822.9%
193035,94222.1%
194035,818−0.3%
195029,905−16.5%
196028,176−5.8%
197029,7615.6%
198039,08231.3%
199051,17730.9%
200058,46314.2%
201067,09114.8%
202073,2989.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2018[1]

At the 2000 census there were 58,463 people, 20,183 households, and 14,572 families in the county. The population density was 94 people per square mile (36 people/km2). There were 25,331 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile (16/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 36.0% Asian, 29.5% White, 23.8% from two or more races, 9.1% Pacific Islander, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American and 0.9% from other races. 8.2%.[10] were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 20,183 households 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 21.4% of households were one person and 7.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.34.

The age distribution was 26.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 100.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.50 males.

Economy

Top employers

According to the county's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[11] the top non-government employers in the county are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa 927
2 Wilcox Memorial Hospital 917
3 The St. Regis Princeville Resort (Now closed for remodel and rebranding)[12] 500
4 Ohana Pacific Management Co. 382
5 Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital 289
6 Aqua-Aston Hospitality 287
7 Kauai Beach Resort 240
8 Sheraton Kauai Resort 236
9 Koa Kea Hotel & Resort 170
10 Pioneer Hi Bred International 165

Education

Higher education

Kauai Community College is the county's only institution of higher education. One of the ten branches of the University of Hawaiʻi system, it offers a range of 2-year degrees and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Primary and Secondary Education

Public schools in the county are operated by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education,[13] and the county is represented by Maggie Cox on the state's Board of Education. There are 10 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 3 high schools, and 5 K-12 schools in the county.

High schools

Middle schools
  • Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School
  • Kapa'a Middle School
  • Waimea Canyon Middle School

Elementary schools
  • Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi Public Charter School
  • Eleele Elementary School
  • Hanalei Elementary School
  • Kalaheo Elementary School
  • Kapa'a Elementary
  • Kaumualii Elementary School
  • Kekaha Elementary School
  • Kilauea Elementary School
  • Kōloa Elementary School
  • Wilcox Elementary School

K-12 Schools

Private schools

There are two private schools in the county: Island School, and the Kahili Adventist School. Four private schools, including St. Catherine's School and St. Theresa's Elementary School (Catholic schools) and the Charter Schools on the island...

Infrastructure

Transportation

Lihue Airport serves the island of Kauai. Bus service is provided by The Kauai Bus.

Major Highways

Communities

There are no incorporated communities in Kauai County, or in any other county of Hawaii. The county is the only form of local government in the State of Hawaii.

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated places

Sister cities

Kauai County's sister cities are:[14]

Notes
  1. Appointed to seat on February 15, 2023 by Governor Josh Green after James Tokioka was appointed to join the governor's cabinet.[4]

References
  1. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Kauai County, Hawaii". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. "Green makes appointments for open House seats". February 15, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  5. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. County of Kauai CAFR
  12. "16-month closure planned for Princeville Resort". February 24, 2020.
  13. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Kauai County, HI" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2022. - Text list
  14. "Sister City program worth continuing". thegardenisland.com. The Garden Island. October 6, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  15. "Kauai mayor visits Japan keeping communities together, worlds apart". kitv.com. KITV Island News. November 22, 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  16. "Tahiti sister-city students come to call". thegardenisland.com. The Garden Island. May 18, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  17. "Music strengthens sister city bond with Whitby". thegardenisland.com. The Garden Island. February 12, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2021.

22°04′N 159°39′W

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