Kauai County, Hawaii
Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Script error: No such module "Settlement short description".Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".Expression error: Unexpected < operator.Template:Category handlerExpression error: Unrecognized punctuation character "[".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Kauai County or Kauaʻi County (Template:Langx), 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 Script error: No such module "convert"., of which Script error: No such module "convert". is land and Script error: No such module "convert". (51.0%) is water.[3] The Pacific Ocean surrounds the county.
Adjacent entities
- Honolulu County, Hawaii - southeast
- Midway Atoll - northwest
National protected areas
- Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge
- Huleia National Wildlife Refuge
- Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
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
<templatestyles src="Div col/styles.css"/>
Other unincorporated places
Demographics
<templatestyles src="US Census population/styles.css"/>
| Census | Pop. | Template:Sronly | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 20,734 | — | |
| 1910 | 23,952 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1920 | 29,438 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1930 | 35,942 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1940 | 35,818 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1950 | 29,905 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1960 | 28,176 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1970 | 29,761 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1980 | 39,082 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 1990 | 51,177 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 2000 | 58,463 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 2010 | 67,091 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 2020 | 73,298 | Script error: No such module "String".% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 73,840 | [4] | Script error: No such module "String".% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[5] 1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7] 1990-2000[8] 2010-2020[1] | |||
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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]
| Race (NH = Non-Hispanic) | % 2020[12] | % 2010[13] | % 2000[14] | Pop 2020 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 30.3% | 30.7% | 27.9% | 22,194 | 20,611 | 16,284 |
| Black alone (NH) | 0.5% | 0.4% | 0.3% | 352 | 258 | 163 |
| American Indian alone (NH) | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 156 | 158 | 138 |
| Asian alone (NH) | 28% | 30.3% | 34.9% | 20,504 | 20,296 | 20,412 |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 9.3% | 8.5% | 8.7% | 6,825 | 5,716 | 5,077 |
| Other race alone (NH) | 0.4% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 283 | 74 | 82 |
| Multiracial (NH) | 21.3% | 20.4% | 19.7% | 15,590 | 13,663 | 11,504 |
| Hispanic/Latino (any race) | 10.1% | 9.4% | 8.2% | 7,394 | 6,315 | 4,803 |
The most reported detailed ancestries in 2020 were:[15]
- Filipino (31.9%)
- Native Hawaiian (24.7%)
- Japanese (17.5%)
- German (12.2%)
- English (11.6%)
- Irish (11.6%)
- Chinese (9.8%)
- Portuguese (9.3%)
- Italian (3.4%)
- French (3.2%)
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 Script error: No such module "convert".. There were 25,331 housing units at an average density of Script error: No such module "convert".. 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%.[16] 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,[17] 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,[18] 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
- Kanuikapono Public Charter School
- Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School
- Ke Kula Niʻihau O Kekaha Learning Center
- Kula Aupuni Niʻihau A Kahelelani Aloha
- Niʻihau High & Elementary
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.[19]
Infrastructure
Transportation
Lihue Airport serves the island of Kauaʻi. Bus service is provided by The Kauai Bus.
- Major Highways
- Script error: No such module "Jct".
- Script error: No such module "Jct".
- Script error: No such module "Jct".
- Script error: No such module "Jct".
- Script error: No such module "Jct".
- Script error: No such module "Jct".
- Script error: No such module "Jct".
- Script error: No such module "Jct".
- Script error: No such module "Jct".
- Script error: No such module "Jct".
- Script error: No such module "Jct".
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
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 | 2023Template:Efn | 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
Federal
Template:PresHead Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresFoot
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.[20] 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.[21]
Sister cities
Kauai County's sister cities are:[22]
<templatestyles src="Div col/styles.css"/>
- Template:Flagicon Bangued, Philippines
- Template:Flagicon Davao City, Philippines
- Template:Flagicon Ishigaki, Japan
- Template:Flagicon Iwaki, Japan
- Template:Flagicon Laoag, Philippines
- Template:Flagicon Moriyama, Japan[23]
- Template:Flagicon Papenoo, French Polynesia[24]
- Template:Flagicon Santa, Philippines
- Template:Flagicon Suō-Ōshima, Japan[23]
- Template:Flagicon Urdaneta, Philippines
- Template:Flagicon Whitby, England, United Kingdom[25]
Notes
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". - Text list
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
External links
Script error: No such module "Sister project links".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Script error: No such module "Navbox". Script error: No such module "navbox". Template:Authority control Script error: No such module "Coordinates".