Kauai County, Administrative division in Hawaii, United States
Kauai County is an administrative division in Hawaii that encompasses several islands including Kauai, Niihau, Lehua, and Kaula in the Pacific Ocean. The county is administered from Lihue, the main population center where the primary airport and central government services are located.
The county was officially established in 1905 when Hawaii became a U.S. territory, marking its recognition as a formal administrative unit. This foundation shaped the modern governance structure that continues to administer the island group today.
The region maintains deep ties to Polynesian heritage, visible in place names, traditional crafts, and local celebrations that honor Hawaiian culture. Communities show these connections through daily practices and respect for sacred sites.
The region can be visited year-round, with drier conditions generally from April through October being more favorable. Travelers should know that getting between islands requires flights or ferry services, and conditions vary by location.
More than half the county's total area is water, with hundreds of square miles of Pacific Ocean surrounding the islands. This vast ocean coverage makes it an unusual administrative area where the sea plays a defining role.
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