Kauai County’s commerce, transportation and entertainment hub
Lihue’s name means ‘cold chill’ and was taken from the strong winds that sweep the island of Kauai. Centrally located on the island’s eastern shore, Lihue is deeply tied to Kauai County as its seat and its most commercial area. “In comparison to other Kauai neighborhoods, Lihue has a work-centric feel. It’s a bit busier, but in a productive way, not a touristy way. For people who live here, it’s their hub,” says Carolyn Price, a former Realtor with Oceanfront Sotheby’s International Realty who grew up on Kauai. Lihue has plenty of beach and wilderness recreation, dining and shopping and events that keep people in the city. Lihue is also a transportation center for over 8,000 residents, according to 2020 Census data. This is because the Lihue Airport is on the waterfront, along with Nawiliwili Harbor, a cruise ship and commercial port.
Kukui Grove is Kauai's largest outdoor shopping center.
Anchor Cove is a tourist haven, but locals head there for amazing views of the bay.
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Ninini Beach, golf courses and Vidinha Stadium
Kalapaki Beach is one of the most popular destinations in Lihue, thanks to its gentle waves for paddle boarding and body surfing. Ninini Beach is the home to two automated lighthouses along the island’s southeastern coast. Each hour, the twin Wailua Falls pours thousands of gallons of water from 80 feet high into a secluded pool. It’s one of the most visited hiking spots on Kauai. The Ocean Course at Hokuala and the Puakea Golf Course in Lihue are just two of the island’s many public golfing centers.
Constructed in the 1970s, Vidinha Stadium is one of the city’s primary sports complexes. “Vidinha is really our meeting space,” says Price, “where families gather for everything from graduations to celebrations to sports. In Lihue, we go all out for the school football games — they’re always in high attendance, and everyone comes to tailgate and celebrate.” The stadium will be renovated soon, thanks to $13 million from the city. "It’ll be a couple of years before completion, but we’re retrofitting the track for high school sports compliance, replacing the football field with Astroturf and adding exercise equipment for public use," says Alden Alayvilla, senior communications officer for the Office of the Mayor and Kauai County.
The Nawiliwili Park provides a green space for picnics, sports, and leisure activities.
There is no shortage of world-class golf courses in and around LIhue.
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Fresh seafood, Kukui Grove Center and the Kauai Museum
Lihue has an assortment of restaurants, shopping malls and big-box stores. Its dining scene includes traditional Hawaiian fare, farm-to-table restaurants and freshly caught seafood. Some of the island’s most popular eateries are here, including the iconic Duke’s Kauai on the waterfront. Anchor Cove Shopping Center has locally owned boutiques and galleries against a backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. Massive cruise ships dock just outside the center, keeping the area lively. Harbor Mall sits at the edge of Kalapaki Bay and offers island helicopter tours, spa services and an assortment of retailers. Covering 50 acres, Kukui Grove Center has big-box stores, specialty shops and a covered food court. Lihue has several farmers’ markets at Grove Farm, Kukui Grove Shopping Center and Vidinha Stadium.
Downtown Lihue was developed into a business center in the 1920s and ‘30s. Today, the area has specialty retailers, food tours, entertainment venues and a series of evolving murals on Kress Street. The Kauai Museum highlights the island’s history before and after colonization. In 1885, German immigrants working at Lihue Sugar Plantation built Hawaii’s first Lutheran church. The original building was destroyed in 1982, but a faithful reconstruction opened a few years later. The church gives sack lunches to food-insecure children each Thursday through its Mobile Munchies program.
Choices galore fill the bins at The Fish Express in Lihue.
One of the best poke bowls you will every have is found at The Fish Express in Lihue.
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Major industries and employers in the County of Kauai
While the county’s major industries include agriculture and technology, Lihue’s economic base is made of hospitality services, retail and public administration. American Savings Bank and the County of Kauai are some of the city’s largest employers. Wilcox Medical Center is the most prominent of nearly a dozen clinics, urgent cares and laboratories in Lihue.
The surgery center at Wilcox Memorial Hospital in Lihue is there to care for community medical needs.
The towering architectural entrance to Wilcox Memorial Hospital in Lihue welcomes those in need of medical care.
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Condominiums and contemporary housing on Kauai’s East Coast
Most of the housing in Lihue was constructed between 1970 and today. Most are single-family homes with two to three bedrooms, condominiums and townhouses. In fact, there are more condominiums here than anywhere else on Kauai. Many high-rise condos have views of Kalapaki Beach and the ocean. Hawaiian plantation-style houses are still common in Lihue, as well as Balinese, contemporary and Asian Pacific styles. Housing sale prices rose between 2% and 3% over 2024, and homes sell for a median price of $590,000. However, some outliers at higher elevations near the beach can cost up to $8 million.
Many newer homes are being built in Lihue.
Sun Village community is a 55 and older community in Lihue.
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Hawaii Department of Education and Kauai Community College
Lihue is served by the Kauai District, which the Hawaii Department of Education oversees. The department has an A-minus rating from Niche and operates 15 schools across Kauai, enrolling over 4,200 students. Nearby is Kauai Community College, a two-year institution offering associate degrees and transfer courses that contribute to a four-year degree.
The beautiful campus at Wilcox Elementary School in Lihue.
Kauai High School in Lihue is home of the Red Raiders!
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Highway 56, Kauai Bus and Lihue Airport
The city is mainly car-dependent, and Highways 56 and 50 are the most significant roadways. The 56 leads north to Kapa’a and Kilauea, while the 50 heads south to Kalaheo and Eleele. The Kauai Bus is an island-wide public transportation system with stops throughout Lihue. Bike lanes and sidewalks are sparse, so pedestrians and cyclists are advised to use caution along roadways. Kauai’s only airfield, Lihue Airport, provides domestic, inter-island and overseas flights, 1.5 miles from downtown.
Kukui Grove Center has big-box retailers like Costco, Target, and other national brands.
The Kauai Bus offers locals a convenient way to get around town.
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Warm temperatures, natural disaster risks and FBI crime data
The city has a warm climate throughout the year, with temperatures pleasant enough for water activities from May to October. Lihue has a moderate risk of flooding despite the seasonal risk of tsunamis and hurricanes. Property crime rates are 4% higher than the national average, while violent crime rates are 41% lower, according to 2023 FBI crime data.
Outrigger canoes are a common sight in Lihue.
You can find fresh organic produce all over Lihue.
Brenda S. Crawford is a premier Poipu, HI real estate agent for Coldwell Banker Island Properties. Brenda also specializes in the real estate needs of Hanalei, Lawai, Kalaheo, Koloa, Kukui'ula and Kekaha. She has assisted her clients in all phases of real estate including subdivision, condo-minimization, fractionalization, road dedication, permits, construction and remodeling, Interior design, and of course purchase and sale. Contact her today to find out how she can be of assistance to you!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
