Location

Kaua’i is Hawai'i's fourth largest island and is affectionately known as the “Garden Isle” is about 552 square miles.  The oldest and northernmost island in the Hawaiian chain, Kaua’i is draped in emerald valleys, sharp mountain spires and jagged cliffs, aged by time and the elements. Centuries of growth have formed tropical rainforests, forking rivers and cascading waterfalls make it one of the most scenic islands.

Kaua’i's most striking geographic feature is the Nā Pali Coast, which rivals any of the world’s grandest coastlines. The Nā Pali Coast's 17-mile coastline took millions of years to form from wind and water erosion. The results are cliffs thousands of feet high, complete with green valleys, towering waterfalls and hidden sea caves.

Culture

The Garden Isle is a land with a rich and varied culture, as seen in its local theater performers, songs, dance, music, language, food, and native arts. Its unique culture also pervades the whole island with the ready and happy smiles of its locals who were born with and live in the spirit of aloha. This is the spirit that makes the Kaua’i natives one of the happiest and friendliest people among the inhabitants of the Hawaiian Islands. While there is no doubt that living in paradise is one way to keep dissatisfied grumblings at bay, locals are happy and friendly because they have been raised in the spirit that seeks to find good in everyone, whether one is a friend or a stranger.

Demographics

Kaua’i County, Hawai'i is home to a population of 73.5k people, from which 92.7% are citizens. As of 2022, 14.4% of Kaua’i County residents were born outside of the country (10.6k people).

Hawai'i Fun Facts

1.

The capital city of Kaua’i is Lihue.  The main airport is Lihue Airport (LIH).

2.

Kaua’i has more beaches, rivers, streams, and waterfalls than any of the other Hawaiian Islands.

3.

Hawai'i's office state bird is the Nēnē Goose--and Kaua’i has the largest protected population in Hawaii.

4.

Kaua’i coffee is the largest coffee plantation in the United States and Kaua’i grows more taro than any other island.

5.

Kaua’i's Mount Wai'ale'ale is the Wettest Spot-on Earth, averaging 450 inches of rain per year producing eight major, majestic waterfalls.

6.

Over 90% of the land on Kaua’i is used for Conservation and Agriculture.

7.

The Kīlauea Lighthouse was built in 1913 for navigation of commercial shipping between Hawai'i and the Orient and has the world’s largest clamshell lens. The beacon was decommissioned in 1976 and replaced with automated lighting.

8.

Captain James Cook was the first modern visitor that landed on Kaua’i’s Waimea beach on January 19, 1778.

9.

There have been over 60 movies filmed on the island with popular movies: Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean, 6 days 7 nights, Fantasy Island and Indiana Jones to name a few.

10.

An unusual fact is Kaua’i's Building Code dictates that "no building shall be taller than a Coconut Palm" -- thus the four-story limit on vertical construction -- so it will never look like Waikīkī!

Hawai'i Language

Hawaiian, along with English, is an official language of the state of Hawai'i. The Hawaiian language or “Ōlelo Hawaiʻi” is one of the oldest living languages in the world.  Since the introduction of the Westerner into Hawai'i in 1778, the number of people who speak Hawaiian fluently has dropped dramatically. Today, only about 1% of the people who live in Hawai'i speak its native tongue.

Aloha

Hello or Goodbye

A hui hou

Until we meet again                                                            

'A'e

Yes

'A'ole

No

Mahalo

Thank you

Mahalo nui loa

Thank you very much

Hana hou!

Encore

Malama pono

Take care

'A'ole pili.kia

You are welcome
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