Lawai, Hawaii Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools
Lawai, Hawaii is a small town located on the south shore of Kauai island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east and Kipu Kai to the west. The town has a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year and abundant rainfall. The average temperature range is between 70-80°F during summer months and 65-75°F during winter months.
Lawai has a rich history that goes back centuries. It was once home to ancient Hawaiians who lived off of fishing and farming in this area. In 1866, Lawai was annexed by the Kingdom of Hawaii and became part of Kauaʻi County in 1905 when Hawaiʻi became a U.S state. It wasn’t until 1952 that Lawai was incorporated as its own town, making it an independent entity from Kauaʻi County.
The economy of Lawai is mainly driven by tourism as it is home to some of Hawaii’s most popular attractions such as Poipu Beach Park, Spouting Horn Park, and Kiahuna Plantation Resort & Golf Course. Several hotels, restaurants, shops, galleries and other services have been established to support this industry which provides jobs for many residents of Lawai.
Education in Lawai is provided through public schools such as Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, Koloa Elementary School and Wilcox Elementary School which serve students from kindergarten through eighth grade. For higher education options, students can choose from several nearby colleges including University of Hawaii at Manoa or Kauaʻi Community College which are both located on Oahu Island or Brigham Young University-Hawaii located on Laie on Oahu’s North Shore.
Some notable landmarks within Lawai include Old Koloa Town which is an historic plantation village featuring many old buildings dating back to 1835; Spouting Horn Park which features a natural lava tube that creates a spectacular geyser effect; and Kiahuna Plantation Resort & Golf Course which offers championship golf courses designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr..
Additionally, visitors can explore historical sites like Waimea Canyon State Park or take in stunning views from Nu’alolo Kai Lookout Point or Mahaulepu Beach Trailhead Lookout Point where they can see whales migrating during certain times of year. Other popular attractions include Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park where visitors can kayak along sea caves or hike along lush green valleys; Allerton Garden where they can wander through lush tropical gardens; Wailua River Valley State Monument where they can explore ancient archaeological sites; or Opaekaa Falls Viewpoint for breathtaking waterfall views!
Population: 1,984
Males: 1,020 (51.4%), Females: 964 (48.6%)
Kauai County
Demographics
Median resident age: 39.3 years
Median household income: $55,662
Median house value: $219,900
Population by Race
Races in Lawai:
- White Non-Hispanic (32.5%)
- Two or more races (26.4%)
- Japanese (17.3%)
- Hispanic (11.8%)
- Filipino (8.5%)
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (5.5%)
- Other Asian (3.7%)
- American Indian (2.1%)
- Other race (1.4%)
- Chinese (0.9%)
(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)
Ancestries: Portuguese (12.6%), English (6.6%), German (6.5%), Irish (4.2%), Italian (3.5%), French (2.1%).
Elevation: 440 feet
Land area: 3.8 square miles
Population by Education
Lawai, Hawaii is located in the Hawaiian Islands and has a population of approximately 1,500 people. It is a small rural town with a strong sense of community and culture. The majority of the population is comprised of Native Hawaiians, with significant numbers from other Pacific Islander ethnicities such as Samoan, Tongan and Marshallese. The town also has an increasing number of immigrants from countries around the world including the United States mainland, China and Japan.
The majority of Lawai’s population is employed in low-wage service jobs such as hospitality or tourism-related industries. This is due to its proximity to popular tourist destinations such as Poipu Beach Park, which attract visitors from all over the world to enjoy its stunning beaches and turquoise waters. This small town also boasts a vibrant agricultural industry, with local farms producing vegetables, fruits and flowers for both local consumption and export to other parts of Hawaii. The nearby Port Allen Marina is another major economic driver for Lawai residents due to its commercial fishing industry. In addition to providing jobs for locals, this industry supports local restaurants that serve up fresh seafood dishes made from their daily catch.
The tight-knit community spirit within Lawai is evident in its numerous social organizations such as churches, youth groups and cultural associations that provide support for locals through activities like hula classes or weekly gatherings at the local park. With so many diverse cultures living harmoniously side by side in this small town it’s no surprise that Lawai has been named one of Hawaii’s most welcoming communities by travel magazines around the world!
For population 25 years and over in Lawai
- High school or higher: 84.9%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 22.2%
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.4%
- Unemployed: 6.0%
- Mean travel time to work: 21.8 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Lawai CDP
- Never married: 26.3%
- Now married: 59.0%
- Separated: 1.4%
- Widowed: 5.4%
- Divorced: 7.9%
3.6% Foreign born (2.7% Asia, 0.5% North America).
Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers near Lawai:
- WILCOX MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 10 miles; LIHUE, HI)
- SAMUEL MAHELONA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 16 miles; KAPAA, HI)
- KAUAI VETERANS MEMEORIAL HOSPITAL (about 16 miles; WAIMEA, HI)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Lawai:
- LIHUE (about 13 miles; LIHUE, HI; Abbreviation: LIH)
- HONOLULU INTL (about 118 miles; HONOLULU, HI; Abbreviation: HNL)
- MOLOKAI (about 176 miles; KAUNAKAKAI, HI; Abbreviation: MKK)
Other public-use airports nearest to Lawai:
- PORT ALLEN (about 8 miles; HANAPEPE, HI; Abbreviation: PAK)
- DILLINGHAM AIRFIELD (about 95 miles; MOKULEIA, HI; Abbreviation: HDH)
- KALAELOA (JOHN RODGERS FIELD) (about 109 miles; KAPOLEI, HI; Abbreviation: JRF)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Lawai:
- BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY-HAWAII CAMPUS (about 112 miles; LAIE, HI; Full-time enrollment: 2,273)
- LEEWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 113 miles; PEARL CITY, HI; Full-time enrollment: 3,511)
- HONOLULU COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 122 miles; HONOLULU, HI; Full-time enrollment: 2,787)
- HAWAII PACIFIC UNIVERSITY (about 122 miles; HONOLULU, HI; Full-time enrollment: 6,186)
- UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA (about 124 miles; HONOLULU, HI; Full-time enrollment: 14,113)
- KAPIOLANI COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 127 miles; HONOLULU, HI; Full-time enrollment: 4,131)
- UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO (about 341 miles; HILO, HI; Full-time enrollment: 2,434)
Private high school in Lawai:
- KAHILI ADVENTIST SCHOOL (Students: 140; Location: PO BOX 480; Grades: KG – 12)