* Before buying a home on Kauai it is important to become familiar with what it is like to live here. This page provides information about the climate, the culture, the lifestyle, and the people with links to other sites for additional information. The advantages to living on Kauai are that the climate is tropical, the people are friendly and the island is one of the most beautiful places on earth.  The disadvantages are, because Kauai is an island in the middle of the Pacific, most of the consumer goods and materials have to be transported via air and container ship, which increases the cost of goods and materials by ten to thirty percent. For those of us who live here the advantages outweigh the higher cost.

* WEATHER & CLIMATE:  The climate on Kauai is tropical, warm and sunny most of the time.  Kauai is called the Garden Island because it is rich with lush tropical foliage. It rains almost every day, but mostly at night and in the mountains.  The top of Mount Waialeale is the wettest spot on earth!  Beautiful waterfalls flow from her peaks and the clouds that accumulate near her tops make amazing rainbows. Except in the mountains, the temperature rarely gets below 60°.  In the summer months the temperature can get up in the 90°s, but the Trade Winds keep the climate mild and pleasant.  Most people don't use air conditioners on Kauai, ...or heaters either!

No matter what the temperature, the water is always comfortable. People enjoy water sports all year round.

* CURRENT WEATHER ON KAUAI:
 

* GEOLOGY Exotic Kauai is the oldest of Hawaii's major islands, having been formed 5 million years ago from a volcano. Over time, the island has become deeply eroded from weathering - producing both the Grand Canyon of the Pacific (Waimea), the stunning sea cliffs along the Na Pali coast, and some of the world's most beautiful beaches.

* HAWAIIAN CULTURE is expressed by the people who are warm and friendly, and filled with the "Aloha Spirit".  It is woven into the the land, preserved in the history and marked by Heau, or sacred places left by the ancient Hawaiians.  Learn about these by visiting the County Website. 

The culture is kept alive by the people who practice the ancient arts of music and dance as seen in the above photo, as well as, sports, science, crafts, and language.  The Hawaiian language is taught in private schools and is carried through in every day life, for instance, all street names must be Hawaiian.

The Polynesian Voyaging Society was founded to create a large voyaging canoe which would attempt the Hawaii --Tahiti round-trip journey in order to test the feasibility of making long-distance, navigated voyages in a canoe guided solely by traditional navigation.

The canoe, christened Hokule'a, which is Hawaiian for the bright star Arcturus that passes directly over the island of Hawaii, was launched in l975.  Photo above is the Hokule'a docked at the Hanalei pier.

Festivals are ongoing throughout the year that honor the Hawaiian Royalty. June 11 is a State Holiday honoring the most beloved of the rulers, King Kamehameha, who united all the tribes of Hawaii.  You can learn about the upcoming events and festivals on Kauai at the Kauai Festivals Website.

* EDUCATION on Kauai :
- K-12 students (1999): 10,860
- Public schools (2006): 20
- Private schools (1993): 5
- Kauai Community College:  1

For a list of all schools on Kauai with contact information, please email me at Jeani@YourKauaiRealty.com

Photo above: Hanalei Elementary School Reading Tutors receive recognition from the Mayor's Office for outstanding service as volunteer reading tutors.

* GOVERNMENT: Kauai has an elected mayor with a 4-year term and a 7-member council with 2-year terms.

* GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: Kauai County includes the islands of Kauai, Niihau, and uninhabited Lehua and Kaula. The Island of Kauai has an area of approximately 552.3 square miles with 90 miles of coastline.
Kauai is located in Polynesia near the center of the Pacific Ocean just below the Tropic of Cancer. It is one of the most remote spots on Earth, 2,500 miles west of California.

* POPULATION & LAND: There are 56,603 residents living on Kauai.  The urbanized area of Kauai is less than 10% of the island land mass.  Most of Kauai is natural trapical unspoiled land some of which can be accessed only on foot and some areas are inaccessable. The Kauai Planning Committee has strong intensions to maintain this natural beauty. Because Kauai is a desirable place to live, and urban land is at a premium, the cost of land is considerably higher than most other states in the US.

* PRESERVATION OF THE LAND: 
The Na Pali Coast on Kauai's west side is a State Park.  Its natural and cultural resources are protected by the State and by organizations like The Na Pali Coast Ohana.

The photo above is of the Na Pali Coast from its northern most point at Ke'e Beach.

* WILDLIFE PRESERVATION:
The Kilauea Lighthouse and surrounding coastal area has been set aside as a National Wildlife preserve and Bird Sanctuary. 

Thousands of tropical birds find shelter here, many having traveled from distances of over 3,000 miles on  their  seasonal migration paths to warmer climates. One such bird is the Albatross.  They come to nest every year on Kauai.  They are very friendly birds and have learned to get along with people.

Photo above is a young albatross who hasn't learned to fly yet.  His nesting home is the front yard of this house in Princeville.

The coastal waters around the Hawaiian Islands are guarded to preserve the fish and coral reefs.  The four Federally managed commercial fisheries are restricted to only certain areas. 

* VACATION OWNERSHIP: Tourism is the number one industry on the Islands.  Kauai is a prime vacation destination.  There are numerous resort hotels around the island offering tours and activities for the perfect vacation in paradise.  Fishing, hiking, heliocopter rides, movie tours, camping, horse back riding, world class golf courses, and every kind of watersport imaginable is available. 

Much of the real estate on Kauai is vacation ownership.  From timeshares, to fee simple ownership of a second home, owning property on Kauai can be a profitable investment.