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The county of Kauai Includes the islands of Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau and uninhabited Lehua and Ka‘ula. Kaua‘i is known as the "Garden Island" and has a land area of 552.3 square miles. The island of Ni‘ihau is privately owned and sometimes called the "Forbidden Island". Public access is allowed only with permission of the owners. Its land area is 69.5 square miles.
Geologically, Kaua‘i is the oldest of Hawai‘i's major island. The town of Waimea was the site of the first Hawai‘i landing by Captain James Cook in 1778. Kauai has been a host to Hollywood on many occasions. Jurrasic Park , south pacific and Raiders of the lost Ark, justy to name a few.
Kauai’s weather is moderate year around with average temperatures ranging from70° to 81°F.
The summit of Wai‘ale‘ale is among the wettest spots in the world with an average rainfall of 444 inches per year. Average rainfall at Po‘ipu Beach is 35 inches per year.
Kaua‘i's flower is a green berry known as mokihana. Ni‘ihau's flower is a small shell called pupu. The color that symbolizes Kauai is the color purple.
POPULATION
Resident population for the county (2000): 58,463.
By ethnic groups (2000): Caucasian (26.1%); Hawaiian/Part Hawaiian (23.3); Filipino (17.3); Japanese (12.1)
Main cities and towns (2000): Kapa‘a (9,472); Lihu‘e (5,674)
TOURISM
Visitor arrivals (2000): 1,074,821. Scenic wonders include Waimea Canyon, Hanalei Valley, Kilauea Lighthouse and wildlife refuge, Koke‘e State Park, Fern Grotto, many stunning beaches and, for the intrepid, Kalalau Valley.
AGRICULTURE
Important products are sugarcane, fruit, vegetables, taro and beef. Aquaculture (1999): 4 operations
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The Pacific Missile Range Facility supports a wide variety of training exercises and developmental tests in 42,000 square miles of sea and air space that is virtually encroachment free.
The West Kaua‘i Technology and Visitor Center houses high technology companies and offers interactive tours of Kaua‘i.
GOVERNMENT
Mayor: Bryan J. Baptiste; seven-member county council (www.kauaigov.org)