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Place Name
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Kauai
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Pronunciation
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kou-AH-ee
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Place Status (Type)
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island
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Population
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51,177 (1990)
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Location
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Kauai County, Hawaii (HI), United States, North America
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Latitude
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unknown
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Longitude
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unknown
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Kauai
(kou-AH-ee), island (1990 pop. 51,177),
549 sq mi/1,422 sq km,
32 mi/51 km in diameter, NW Hawaii, separated
from Oahu isl. to the SE by Kauai Channel, from Niihau isl. to SW by
Kumukahi Channel. Lihue (1990 pop. 5,536) is the largest town and
 Kauai co., and Nawiliwili Harbor the chief port. Administered
by 9 dists. Geologically, Kauai is the oldest of the larger Hawaiian
Isls. It was formed by volcanoes now extinct and deeply worn by heavy
rainfall and by assault of surrounding ocean; Kawaikini
(5,243 ft/1,598 m) and Waialeale
(5,148 ft/1,569 m) are the tallest peaks. High
annual rainfall has eroded deep valleys in Kauai's central mt. mass.
Waimea Canyon
(2,000 ft/610 m-3,000 ft/914 m
deep; c.10 mi/16 km long), “Hawaii's Grand
Canyon,” in W, often compared with Arizona's Grand Canyon. The
northeastern slopes of Waialeale, one of the wettest spots on earth,
receive an annual average rainfall of 450
in/1,143 cm. Alakai Swamp occupies the isl.'s NW
center, unusual in that it is located in upper elevs. and is source of
isl.'s W streams, including headstreams of Waimea R. An independent
kingdom when visited by English Capt. James Cook in 1778, Kauai became
part of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. The 1st major attempt at agr.
development in Hawaii occurred there with the establishment of a sugar
plantation in 1835. Most of the isl.'s people live along the coast.
Agr. is a major industry with sugarcane, fruit, vegetables, and
coffee the chief crops; tourism is central to the economy.
Barking Sands Pacific Missile Range at W end of isl.; Forest reserves:
Moloaa and Kealia (NE); Nonou and Kalepa (E); Lihue-Koloa, Haleea and
NaPali-Kona (center); Pun Ka Pele (W). Hanalei Natl. Wildlife Refuge in
N; Huleia Natl. Wildlife Refuge in SE; Kilauea Natl. Wildlife Refuge in
NE; Natl. Tropical Botanical Gardens in S; Na Pali Coast State Park
(NW); Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park in W center; Polihale State
Park on W coast; Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historic Park in SW;
Wailua River and Lydgate State Parks in E; Ahukini State Recreaetional
Park in E.
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