Kauai County | |
---|---|
![]() Location within the U.S. state of Hawaii | |
![]() Hawaii's location within the U.S. | |
Coordinates: 22°04′00″N 159°39′00″W / 22.066666666667°N 159.65°W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | 1905 |
Seat | Lihue |
Largest community | Kapa‘a |
Government | |
• Mayor | Derek Kawakami |
Area | |
• Total | 1,266 sq mi (3,280 km2) |
• Land | 620 sq mi (1,600 km2) |
• Water | 646 sq mi (1,670 km2) 51.0% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 73,298 |
• Density | 58/sq mi (22/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−10 (Hawaii–Aleutian) |
Congressional district | 2nd |
Website | www |
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
[edit]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
[edit]- Honolulu County, Hawaii - southeast
- Midway Atoll - northwest
National protected areas
[edit]- Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge
- Huleia National Wildlife Refuge
- Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Government and politics
[edit]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
[edit]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 Legislature
[edit]Hawaii Senate
[edit]District | Name | Party | First Elected | Area(s) of Kauaʻi County Represented | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
8 | Ron Kouchi | Democratic | 2010 | entire county |
Hawaii House of Representatives
[edit]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[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
[edit]Federal
[edit]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.
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
[edit]Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1900 | 20,734 | — | |
1910 | 23,952 | 15.5% | |
1920 | 29,438 | 22.9% | |
1930 | 35,942 | 22.1% | |
1940 | 35,818 | −0.3% | |
1950 | 29,905 | −16.5% | |
1960 | 28,176 | −5.8% | |
1970 | 29,761 | 5.6% | |
1980 | 39,082 | 31.3% | |
1990 | 51,177 | 30.9% | |
2000 | 58,463 | 14.2% | |
2010 | 67,091 | 14.8% | |
2020 | 73,298 | 9.3% | |
2023 (est.) | 73,851 | [6] | 0.8% |
U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9] 1990-2000[10] 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%.[11] 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
[edit]Top employers
[edit]According to the county's 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,[12] 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
[edit]Higher education
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]Middle schools
[edit]- Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School
- Kapa'a Middle School
- Waimea Canyon Middle School
Elementary schools
[edit]- 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
[edit]- Kanuikapono Public Charter School
- Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School
- Ke Kula Niʻihau O Kekaha Learning Center
- Kula Aupuni Niʻihau A Kahelelani Aloha
- Ni'ihau High & Elementary
Private schools
[edit]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
[edit]Transportation
[edit]Lihue Airport serves the island of Kauai. Bus service is provided by The Kauai Bus.
- Major Highways
Route 50
Route 51
Route 56
Route 58
Route 520
Route 540
Route 550
Route 570
Route 580
Route 581
Route 583
Communities
[edit]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
[edit]Other unincorporated places
[edit]Sister cities
[edit]Kauai County's sister cities are:[14]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Appointed to seat on February 15, 2023, by Governor Josh Green after James Tokioka was appointed to join the governor's cabinet.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Kauai County, Hawaii". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "Green makes appointments for open House seats". February 15, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ The Department of Finance, Accounting Division. "Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2022". Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Kauai County, HI" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2022. - Text list
- ^ "Sister City program worth continuing". thegardenisland.com. The Garden Island. October 6, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ a b "Kauai mayor visits Japan keeping communities together, worlds apart". kitv.com. KITV Island News. November 22, 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ "Tahiti sister-city students come to call". thegardenisland.com. The Garden Island. May 18, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ "Music strengthens sister city bond with Whitby". thegardenisland.com. The Garden Island. February 12, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2021.