Lihue, HI

This small Hawaiian town is the main seaport for the island of Kauai, and with just fewer than 6,000 residents, Lihue is also one of the largest towns on the island. Lihue means "cold chill," and the town earned this name due to the chilly winds that sweep across the land. Lihue is the main shopping hub of Kauai, as it has the largest shopping center on the island, which includes a major department store (Macy's) and several other national chains. There are also many car dealerships and restaurants in this area.

More traffic lights can be seen in Lihue than anywhere else on the island. Residents of Lihue have a short average commute of just 14 minutes. This dramatically reduces both noise and pollution in the city.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Lihue accommodates around 2,430 houses, with 2,210 of them occupied. Renters occupy around 890 houses and owners occupy about 1,320.

Hanamaulu/Puhi, accommodates a mixed group of ages with lower-end incomes. This is a quiet, rural area populated mostly by small, single-family homes. The houses were built primarily between 1970 and 1994.

Town Center is a suburban area with mostly small, single-family homes. The quiet, artsy neighborhood is home to owners and renters of all ages. The majority of the residents in this area are in executive or managerial positions.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Lihue is the second biggest town in Kauai, and its commercial capital. With an airport, seaport and developed road network, Lihue's transportation infrastructure is a gateway to the rest of the island.

The sugar industry formed the base of the city's economy until well into the 1900s. Many former sugar mill plantations and rural plots of land have been renovated into commercial and residential real estate. Tourism now dominates the local economy, with the retail, health care, and education sectors contributing as well.

Major employers in the city include prominent hotels like Hilton and Marriot. Other major employers are Wilcox Memorial Hospital, Kauai Medical Clinic, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Macy's.

The unemployment rate of Lihue is low.

BEST BETS

The Kauai Museum features a collection of Hawaiian artifacts and art. The museum hosts two major events each year, May Day Lei Day and the Christmas Craft Fair, which showcase the talent of local artists:

• May Day Lei Day has been held for nearly three decades. The day features one of the state's largest lei-making contests. Participants can enter the competition in more than eight different categories.
• The Christmas Craft Fair is held in conjunction with the Festival of Lights in Downtown Lihue. It features the works of local artists, traditional island food and Hawaiian music and hula performances.

Another popular attraction is the Grove Farm Homestead, the former home of George N. Wilcox, an industrial and cultural leader in Hawaii, and the site of a once-successful sugar plantation. Today the homestead features a living-history museum that shows how the plantation owners and workers lived more than a century ago. Wilcox's home has been turned into an open-air restaurant and shops.

FOR VISITORS

Although rain is more often seen in inland spots in Kauai as opposed to the coastal areas, Lihue is an exception. While the rest of the island of Kauai sees as little as 18 inches of rain per year, Lihue gets, on average, 52 inches.

• Kalapaki Beach: This is a good beach for swimming and other water sports. Lessons in surfing and sailing are available, as well as access to boat rentals. Catamaran and kayak tours can also be found in this area.
• Nawiliwili Park: Adjacent to Kalapaki Beach, this park is a fine destination for picnicking and enjoying the views of the water.
• Ninini Beach: This is a good spot for swimming, and it offers an excellent view of the mountain ranges and ships coming in and out of the Nawilwili Harbor.
• Wailua Falls: This massive, 80-foot waterfall was featured at the beginning of the television show Fantasy Island. The falls are visible from Highway 583, but the adventurous can hike a path down to the bottom of the falls to take a dip in the mountain water.
• Kipu Falls: Area residents enjoy this small waterfall and have added a rope swing to the falls to add to the character. The pool below is deep, and welcomes swimmers.
• Huleia River: This river is home to a National Wildlife Refuge and is popular with kayakers. Portions of the river appear in opening scenes of Raiders of the Lost Ark.
• Menehune (Alekoko) Fishpond: The site tells the story of the ancient Menehune people, mysterious inhabitants of Kauai who are known for creating miracles overnight. This fishpond was said to have been created by the Menehune.
• Mt. Waialeale: Although Hawaii is sunny nearly 300 days a year, Mt. Waialeale is a lush, tropical rainforest set in the interior of the island, and it gets nearly 400 inches of rain per year. The rain at the top of the mountain rarely affects the surrounding areas, which usually remain completely dry while it is raining on the peak.

EDUCATION

• Kauai Community College is a part of the University of Hawaii school system. This two-year, public college is the only college on the island of Kauai. It sits on 200 acres of land just outside of Lihue. A transfer-level, liberal arts education is offered.
• Lihue is part of the Hawaii Department of Education system. There are two elementary schools for students, one middle school and one high school. Island School is a private school that educates students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade. The average student/teacher ratio in Lihue is 17:1.