Līhuʻe

Līhuʻe is a census-designated place on the eastern coast of Kauai with residential areas, shops, and administrative buildings between two bays. The community extends inland from the shore with roads that run through low-rise structures and open spaces.

A sugar mill arose in the 19th century and transformed the small settlement into the administrative center of Kauai County. German immigrants arrived in the 1880s and built the first Lutheran church in Hawaii.

The name comes from the Hawaiian language and means cold chill, possibly referring to cool rain showers that sweep through the area. Visitors today see a community where business districts and residential neighborhoods blend Hawaiian traditions with modern island life.

The airport and harbor provide connections to other islands and the mainland, making arrival and onward travel fairly straightforward. Visitors looking to orient themselves will find most shops and services near the main roads in the center.

The former mansion of a sugar plantation owner now serves as a restaurant and offers small train rides across the grounds. Guests can see the architecture of the old plantation and ride through tropical gardens.

Location: Kauai County

Elevation above the sea: 67 m

Website: http://lihuehawaii.com

GPS coordinates: 21.97472,-159.36556

Latest update: December 13, 2025 18:55