Kauai County, Hawaii Explained

County:Kauai County
State:Hawaii
Ex Image:Captain James Cook statue, Waimea, Kauai, Hawaii.JPG
Ex Image Size:200px
Seal:Seal of Kauai County, Hawaii.png
Founded Year:1905
Seat Wl:Lihue
City Type:community
Area Total Sq Mi:1266
Area Land Sq Mi:620
Area Water Sq Mi:646
Area Percentage:51.0%
Census Yr:2020
Pop:73,298
Density Sq Mi:auto
Time Zone:Hawaii
District:2nd
Web:https://www.kauai.gov/

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, of which is land and (51.0%) is water.[3] The Pacific Ocean surrounds the county.

Adjacent entities

National protected areas

Government and politics

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

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.

SenatorsNamePartyFirst ElectedLevel
 Senate Class 1Mazie HironoDemocratic2013Junior Senator
 Senate Class 3Brian SchatzDemocratic2012Senior Senator
RepresentativesNamePartyFirst ElectedArea(s) of Kauai County Represented
 District 2Jill TokudaDemocratic2023entire county

Hawaii Legislature

Hawaii House of Representatives

DistrictNamePartyFirst ElectedArea(s) of Kauaʻi County Represented
 15Democratic2016Hā‘ena, Wainiha, Hanalei, Princeville, Kīlauea, Anahola, Keālia, Kāpa‘a, portion of Wailuā, Kawaihau
 16Luke EvslinDemocratic2023Wailuā, Hanamāʻulu, Kapaia, Līhuʻe, Puhi, portion of ʻŌmaʻo
 17Dee MorikawaDemocratic2011Niʻihau, portion of ʻŌmaʻo, Kōloa, Po‘ipū, Lāwa‘i, Kalāheo, ‘Ele‘ele, Hanapēpē, Kaawanui Village, Pākalā Village, Waimea, Kekaha

Elections

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.

Demographics

At the 2000 census there were 58,463 people, 20,183 households, and 14,572 families in the county. The population density was 94/mi2. There were 25,331 housing units at an average density of 41/mi2. 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%.[4] 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,[5] the top non-government employers in the county are the following:

Employer
  1. of Employees
1Wilcox Health (Wilcox Medical Center)846
2Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa810
3Ohana Pacific Management Co.371
4Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital275
5Kauai Beach Resort160
6Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital148
7Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative140
8Kauai Nursery & Landscaping Inc.97
9Gather FCU88
10The Parrish Collection85

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,[6] 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

Elementary schools

K-12 Schools

Private schools

There are five private schools in the county: Island School, Kahili Adventist School, St. Catherine's School, St. Theresa's Elementary School, and ʻŌlelo Christian Academy.

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:[7]

References

22.0667°N -198°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Kauai County, Hawaii. United States Census Bureau. June 28, 2014.
  2. Web site: Find a County . June 7, 2011 . National Association of Counties . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx . May 31, 2011 .
  3. Web site: US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990. United States Census Bureau. April 23, 2011. February 12, 2011.
  4. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. January 31, 2008.
  5. Web site: The Department of Finance, Accounting Division . Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2022 . November 12, 2023.
  6. Web site: 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Kauai County, HI. U.S. Census Bureau. July 22, 2022. - Text list
  7. Web site: Sister City program worth continuing. thegardenisland.com. The Garden Island. October 6, 2019. April 27, 2021.
  8. Web site: Kauai mayor visits Japan keeping communities together, worlds apart. kitv.com. KITV Island News. November 22, 2015. April 27, 2021.
  9. Web site: Tahiti sister-city students come to call. thegardenisland.com. The Garden Island. May 18, 2018. April 27, 2021.
  10. Web site: Music strengthens sister city bond with Whitby. thegardenisland.com. The Garden Island. February 12, 2013. April 27, 2021.