Līhu'e, Hawaii

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A Norwegian Cruise Lines cruise ship docked in Port of Nāwiliwili
A Norwegian Cruise Lines cruise ship docked in Port of Nāwiliwili

Līhuʻe (IPA: [liːhuʔe]) is the second largest town on the Hawaiian Island of Kauaʻi in Hawaiʻi. Līhuʻe means literally "cold chill" in Hawaiian. It is a census-designated place (CDP) and the county seat of Kauaʻi County. As of the 2000 Census, the CDP had a total population of 5,674 GR6.

Līhuʻe is served by the Līhuʻe Airport. The main seaport for Kauaʻi is at Nāwiliwili Bay, directly southeast of town. The town is home to the county administration building; Kauaʻi's largest shopping center, Kukui Grove Center, which houses the island's only big department store, Macy's; and several big-box stores including K-Mart, Home Depot and Costco. There are also several car dealerships and restaurants. Most of the island's traffic lights can be found here.

However, Līhuʻe does not have a monopoly on island commerce. There is a cluster of several shopping centers to the north in Kapaʻa.

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[edit] History

In ancient times, Līhuʻe was a minor village. The name is of recent origin and means "goose flesh", referring to the cold winds that blew across the land. The ancient name of the area was Ka-laʻ-i-a-mea, meaning calm reddish brown place. Līhuʻe is located in the ancient district of Puna. With the emergance of the sugar industry in the 1800's, Līhuʻe became the central city of the island with the construction of a large sugar mill. Many Germans emigrated to Līhuʻe, even building in 1881 the first Lutheran church in Hawaii that stands to this day. Services were delivered in German well into the 1960s. George Wilcox was one of the largest sugar plantation owners. The family home, Kilohana, can be visited by tourists. Līhuʻe also houses the Kauaʻi Museum, which details the rich history of Kauaʻi.

[edit] Geography and Climate

Līhuʻe is located at 21°58'29" North, 159°21'56" West (21.974810, -159.365576)GR1.

Location of Līhuʻe, Hawaiʻi

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 18.4 km² (7.1 mi²). 16.4 km² (6.3 mi²) of it is land and 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 11.11% water.

Monthly Normal and Record High and Low Temperatures
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Rec High °F 86 86 88 88 88 89 89 90 90 90 89 87
Norm High °F 77.9 77.9 78.1 78.8 80.6 82.7 83.9 84.9 85 83.5 81 79
Norm Low °F 65.4 65.5 67.3 68.9 70.3 72.7 74 74.5 74 72.8 70.8 67.6
Rec Low °F 50 52 51 56 58 61 62 66 65 61 57 52
Precip (in) 4.59 3.26 3.58 3 2.87 1.82 2.12 1.91 2.69 4.25 4.7 4.78
Source: USTravelWeather.com [1]

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 5,674 people, 2,178 households, and 1,420 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 346.6/km² (898.3/mi²). There were 2,399 housing units at an average density of 146.6/km² (379.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 22.75% White, 49.24% Asian, 0.21% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 6.43% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 20.46% from two or more races. 6.52% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,178 households out of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 22.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $44,906, and the median income for a family was $56,875 in 2000. Males had a median income of $38,713 versus $28,032 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $22,619. 4.6% of the population and 1.7% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 1.4% of those under the age of 18 and 7.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

[edit] Education

Līhuʻe is home to Kauaʻi Community College, part of the University of Hawaiʻi system.

Līhuʻe is also served by the Hawaiʻi Department of Education. Two K–5 elementary schools, Wilcox Elementary School and Kaumualiʻi Elementary School serve the area. All of the area is zoned to Kamakahelei Middle School and Kauaʻi High School.

[edit] External links

City of Līhu'e


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