Kauai County, Hawaii

Kauai County, Hawaii
County
Captain James Cook statue
Captain James Cook statue
Official seal of Kauai County, Hawaii
Seal
Map of Hawaii highlighting Kauai County
Location within the U.S. state of Hawaii
Coordinates: 22°04′00″N 159°39′00″W / 22.066666666667°N 159.65°W / 22.066666666667; -159.65
Country United States
State Hawaii
Founded1905
SeatLīhuʻe
Largest communityKapa‘a
Government
 • MayorDerek Kawakami
Area
 • Total
1,266 sq mi (3,280 km2)
 • Land620 sq mi (1,600 km2)
 • Water646 sq mi (1,670 km2)  51.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
73,298
 • Density120/sq mi (46/km2)
Time zoneUTC−10 (Hawaii–Aleutian)
Congressional district2nd
Websitekauai.gov

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

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

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

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%
2024 (est.)73,840[4]0.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 73,298. Of the residents, 21.5% were under the age of 18 and 21.2% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 43.0 years. For every 100 females there were 97.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.2 males. 57.8% of residents lived in urban areas and 42.2% lived in rural areas.[9]

The racial makeup of the county was 31.7% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 28.8% Asian, 9.9% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.5% from some other race, and 27.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 10.1% of the population.[10]

There were 24,712 households in the county, of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[11]

There were 30,157 housing units, of which 18.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 62.8% were owner-occupied and 37.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 13.4%.[11]

Kauai County, Hawaii – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[12] Pop 1990[13] Pop 2000[14] Pop 2010[15] Pop 2020[16] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 10,109 16,235 16,284 20,611 22,194 25.87% 31.72% 27.85% 30.72% 30.28%
Black or African American alone (NH) 64 193 163 258 352 0.16% 0.38% 0.28% 0.38% 0.48%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 78 149 138 158 156 0.20% 0.29% 0.24% 0.24% 0.21%
Asian alone (NH) 25,561 28,914 20,412 20,296 20,504 65.40% 56.50% 34.91% 30.25% 27.97%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [17] x [18] 5,077 5,716 6,825 x x 8.68% 8.52% 9.31%
Other race alone (NH) 0 106 82 74 283 0.00% 0.21% 0.14% 0.11% 0.39%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [19] x [20] 11,504 13,663 15,590 x x 19.68% 20.36% 21.27%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3,270 5,580 4,803 6,315 7,394 8.37% 10.90% 8.22% 9.41% 10.09%
Total 39,082 51,177 58,463 67,091 73,298 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2000 census

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%.[21] 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 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,[22] the top non-government employers in the county are the following:

# Employer # of Employees
1 Wilcox Health (Wilcox Medical Center) 846
2 Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa 810
3 Ohana Pacific Management Co. 371
4 Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital 275
5 Kauai Beach Resort 160
6 Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital 148
7 Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative 140
8 Kauai Nursery & Landscaping Inc. 97
9 Gather FCU 88
10 The Parrish Collection 85

Education

Higher education

Kauaʻi 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,[23] 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
  • Kapaʻa Elementary
  • Kaumualii Elementary School
  • Kekaha Elementary School
  • Kilauea Elementary School
  • Kōloa Elementary School
  • Wilcox Elementary School

K-12 Schools

Private schools

There are four private schools in the county: Island School, Kahili Adventist School, St. Theresa's Elementary School, and ʻŌlelo Christian Academy. St. Catherine's School used to operate, but closed its doors on June 7, 2024.[24]

Infrastructure

Transportation

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

Major Highways

Government and politics

United States Senate election results for Kauai County, Hawaii1[25]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 8,537 29.96% 18,934 66.45% 1,024 3.59%
2018 6,120 24.85% 18,510 75.15% 0 0.00%
2012 7,134 28.41% 17,973 71.59% 0 0.00%
United States Senate election results for Kauai County, Hawaii3[25]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2022 5,658 24.28% 16,891 72.50% 750 3.22%
2016 4,745 19.00% 19,015 76.13% 1,216 4.87%
2014 5,250 23.89% 16,189 73.67% 537 2.44%
2010 3,732 17.09% 17,192 78.72% 915 4.19%

Kauaʻi County operates under a mayor-council form of municipal government. The Mayor of Kauaʻi, elected by the voters on a nonpartisan basis, holds executive authority for a four-year term. Meanwhile, legislative authority is vested in the seven-member County Council. Members of the County Council are elected on a nonpartisan, at-large basis to two-year terms.

United States Congress

Kauaʻi 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 Legislature

Hawaii Senate

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

Hawaii House of Representatives

District Name Party First Elected Area(s) of Kauai 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[a] 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

Elections

United States Gubernatorial election results for Kauai County, Hawaii[27]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2022 9,632 40.37% 14,227 59.63% 0 0.00%
2018 8,135 32.76% 15,868 63.90% 830 3.34%
2014 7,495 31.99% 12,451 53.14% 3,483 14.87%
2010 8,953 39.50% 13,559 59.82% 156 0.69%
United States presidential election results for Kauai County, Hawaii[28]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1960 5,655 54.95% 4,636 45.05% 0 0.00%
1964 1,971 18.45% 8,713 81.55% 0 0.00%
1968 4,140 36.49% 7,051 62.15% 155 1.37%
1972 7,571 58.36% 5,401 41.64% 0 0.00%
1976 6,278 43.23% 8,105 55.81% 139 0.96%
1980 5,883 35.39% 9,081 54.64% 1,657 9.97%
1984 9,249 50.45% 8,862 48.34% 221 1.21%
1988 8,298 40.95% 11,770 58.08% 198 0.98%
1992 6,274 32.80% 10,715 56.02% 2,138 11.18%
1996 5,325 25.33% 13,357 63.54% 2,338 11.12%
2000 6,583 30.23% 13,470 61.87% 1,720 7.90%
2004 9,740 39.15% 14,916 59.96% 220 0.88%
2008 6,245 22.94% 20,416 74.99% 563 2.07%
2012 6,121 24.13% 18,641 73.47% 610 2.40%
2016 7,574 28.76% 16,456 62.49% 2,305 8.75%
2020 11,582 34.58% 21,225 63.36% 690 2.06%
2024 11,803 39.26% 17,675 58.79% 586 1.95%

Kauai County, like Hawaii in general, has traditionally been a stronghold of the Democratic Party. The county has not voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1984, when it narrowly voted in favor of Ronald Reagan. In 2024, while it still voted majority Democratic, Kauai County cast the highest percentage for the Republican candidate of any county in the state, a distinction that has generally been held by Honolulu County; this was the first time Kauai County had done so since 1960.[29] The island of Kauai leans Democratic overall. The island of Ni'ihau, which has a very small population, tends to vote almost entirely Republican, by far the strongest such leaning of all major Hawaiian islands.[30]

Sister cities

Kauai County's sister cities are:[31]

Notes

  1. ^ Appointed to seat on February 15, 2023, by Governor Josh Green after James Tokioka was appointed to join the governor's cabinet.[26]

References

  1. ^ a b "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. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  9. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
  10. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  11. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
  12. ^ "Hawaii: 1980, General Social and Economic Characteristics, Table 59: Persons by Race, Hispanic Origin, and Sex" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  13. ^ "Hawaii: 1990, General Social and Economic Characteristics, Table 6: Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  14. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Kauai County, Hawaii". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Kauai County, Hawaii". United States Census Bureau.
  16. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Kauai County, Hawaii". United States Census Bureau.
  17. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  18. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  19. ^ not an option in the 1980 Census
  20. ^ not an option in the 1990 Census
  21. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  22. ^ The Department of Finance, Accounting Division. "Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2022". Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  23. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Kauai County, HI" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2022. - Text list
  24. ^ "St. Catherine School". St. Catherine School. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  25. ^ a b Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  26. ^ "Green makes appointments for open House seats". February 15, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  27. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  28. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  29. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  30. ^ Datar, Saurabh; Marcus, Ilana; Murray, Eli; Singer, Ethan; Lemonides, Alex; Zhang, Christine (January 15, 2025). "An Extremely Detailed Map of the 2024 Election". The New York Times.
  31. ^ "Sister City program worth continuing". thegardenisland.com. The Garden Island. October 6, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  32. ^ a b "Kauai mayor visits Japan keeping communities together, worlds apart". kitv.com. KITV Island News. November 22, 2015. Archived from the original on April 27, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  33. ^ "Tahiti sister-city students come to call". thegardenisland.com. The Garden Island. May 18, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  34. ^ "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 / 22.067°N 159.650°W / 22.067; -159.650

allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapaa,_HI_Micropolitan_Statistical_Area