About Kauai County
Kauai County, Hawaii, includes the islands of Kauai, Niihau, Lehua, and Kaula in the northwestern part of the Hawaiian archipelago. Known as the "Garden Isle," Kauai County covers approximately 622 square miles of land and is home to roughly 73,000 residents as of recent estimates. Kauai County Seat is Lihue, located on the eastern shore of Lihue area, where most government offices are concentrated.
- Kauai County's economy relies heavily on tourism, agriculture (particularly coffee, papaya, and seed crops), and film production.
Lihue area is the geologically oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands, featuring dramatic scenes including the Napali Coast's towering sea cliffs, Waimea Canyon (often called the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific"), and Mount Waialeale, one of the wettest spots on Earth. Kauai County of the local community operates under a mayor-council form of government. Key county agencies include the Office of the County Clerk located at 4396 Rice Street, Suite 101, Lihue, HI 96766, which maintains vital records, council minutes, and various county documents.
The Real Property Assessment Division, part of the Department of Finance at 4444 Rice Street, Suite 463, Lihue, HI 96766, handles property assessments and tax information. Kauai County's unique character stems from its strict building codes limiting structures to coconut tree height, preserving its rural charm and natural beauty that has made it a backdrop for over 70 Hollywood films.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Kauai County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement duties across Kauai County, particularly in unincorporated areas. The office handles a variety of tasks, including patrolling, serving legal documents, and executing warrants. It also manages the transportation of inmates and provides security for the courts. The Sheriff's Office is key to maintaining public safety and order within Kauai County. Notable programs include community outreach initiatives and partnerships with local organizations to enhance crime prevention efforts.
Police Departments
Kauai County is served by Kauai County Police Department, which is responsible for law enforcement across the island. The department handles crime prevention, investigation, and community policing efforts. In addition to Kauai County police, the Lihue Police Department provides law enforcement services within the city of Lihue, focusing on urban areas and specific community needs. These agencies collaborate on major crimes and public safety initiatives, making sure of a coordinated approach to law enforcement across Kauai County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Law enforcement in Kauai County is primarily provided by the Kauai Police Department, headquartered at 3990 Kaana Street, Lihue, HI 96766, phone. The department serves the entire island of the local community with district stations in Lihue, Kapaa, and Waimea, providing patrol services, criminal investigations, and community policing. Hawaii does not have traditional county sheriffs; instead, the State of Hawaii Sheriff Division under the Department of Law Enforcement operates statewide and handles court security, prisoner transport, and service of legal documents.
Kauai County Community Correctional Center (KCCC), located at 3-5351 Kuhio Highway, Lihue, HI 96766, is the primary detention facility for Kauai County. Inmate information can be obtained by calling the facility at or through the Hawaii Department of Public Safety website. Arrest records and booking information are public records under Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA), codified in Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 92F.
To request arrest records, citizens can submit written requests to the Lihue area Police Department's Records Section for Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through public records requests, though processing times vary. The department maintains an online community notification system for significant incidents. Due to the local community's island geography, all municipal law enforcement is consolidated under the Lihue area Police Department rather than separate city police departments.
There are no tribal police jurisdictions in Kauai County, as Hawaii does not have federally recognized tribal lands in the traditional sense.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Kauai County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and sex offender registrations. These records are maintained by Kauai County Police Department, Kauai County Sheriff's Office, and the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center. Residents can conduct background checks through the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center, which provides access to statewide criminal history records. The Hawaii Bureau of Investigation offers additional resources for Kauai residents, including fingerprinting services and access to national criminal databases.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Kauai County are maintained by Kauai County Police Department and Kauai County Sheriff's Office. These records document the details of arrests made within Kauai County, including the date, location, charges, and personal information of the arrested individual. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the respective law enforcement agency, often requiring a formal request under Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act. Arrest records typically include the individual's name, date of birth, booking details, and the charges filed.
- The process ensures transparency and accountability in law enforcement activities within Kauai County.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Kauai Community Correctional Center, located in Wailua, is the primary detention facility for Kauai County. The center handles the booking process for people arrested within Kauai County, which includes fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information. Inmate lookup services are available through the Hawaii Department of Public Safety's online portal, allowing the public to search for current inmates. Visitation rules at the facility require scheduling in advance, with specific guidelines on permissible items and conduct during visits.
- The bond and bail process in Hawaii allows for the release of detainees pending trial, with conditions set by the court.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Kauai County are taken and retained by Kauai County Police Department during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the arrest record and can be accessed through official channels. To search for mugshots, individuals can contact the police department directly or use the Hawaii Department of Public Safety's online resources. Hawaii has specific laws regarding the use and distribution of mugshots, focusing on privacy and the potential impact on individuals' reputations.
- The state does not have a formal mugshot removal law, but individuals can request corrections or updates to their records if inaccuracies are found.
Courts & Case Records
Kauai County is served by Hawaii's Fifth Circuit Court, which includes both Circuit Court and District Court divisions located at 3970 Kaana Street, Lihue, HI 96766. The Circuit Court, phone, handles felony criminal cases, civil matters over $40,000, family law cases including divorce and custody, probate matters, and appeals from District Court. Kauai County Court, phone, has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, traffic violations, civil cases under $40,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and small claims up to $5,000.
- Court records are accessible through the Hawaii State Judiciary's eCourt Kokua system at www.courts.state.hi.us, which provides free case lookup by party name or case number for both criminal and civil matters.
- Certified copies of court documents can be requested in person at the courthouse or by mail with fees typically $1.50 per page plus certification fees of $7.00.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Kauai County are maintained by the Bureau of Conveyances, a state agency with a branch office in the Kalanimoku Building, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, as Hawaii operates a centralized state recording system rather than county-level recorders. Documents can be recorded in person or by mail, with standard recording fees of $51 for the first page and $12 for each additional page. The Bureau maintains full records of deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, assignments, and other instruments affecting real property since the Kingdom of Hawaii era.
- Certified copies of recorded documents cost $1 per page plus $5 certification fee from the Bureau of Conveyances.
An online search system is available at http://boc.ehawaii.gov where users can search by name, document number, or Tax Map Key (TMK) parcel identifier free of charge, though downloading documents requires payment. The Real Property Assessment Division of Kauai County, located at 4444 Rice Street, Suite 463, Lihue, HI 96766, phone, maintains property tax assessment records, ownership information, and valuation data. Their online property search portal at www.kauai.gov/propertysearch allows free lookup of property tax information by TMK, owner name, or address, displaying assessed values, tax amounts, exemptions, and payment history.
Kauai County of the local community Planning Department at 4444 Rice Street provides access to GIS mapping, zoning information, and subdivision plat maps through their online WebGIS application, offering parcel boundaries, flood zones, and land use designations.
Vital Records
Vital records for Kauai County residents are maintained by the Hawaii State Department of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoring, Vital Records Section, located at 1250 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. Birth certificates cost $10 for standard processing (10 business days) or $22 for expedited service (3 business days) when ordered in person or by mail. Death certificates follow the same fee structure at $10 standard and $22 expedited.
- Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com with additional convenience fees.
- Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $10 each.
- Walk-in services for vital records are available at the Honolulu location, and same-day service is possible with expedited fees.
- Applicants must be immediate family members, legal representatives, or demonstrate direct and tangible interest in the record being requested.
Applications require valid government-issued photo identification and proof of relationship or tangible interest as defined under Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 338-18. Marriage licenses are issued by the State Department of Health Marriage License Office, not county clerks, and applications can be submitted online at https://emrs.ehawaii.gov with a $65 fee, no waiting period, and the license valid for 30 days. Divorce records (divorce decrees) are obtained through the Family Court of the Fifth Circuit at 3970 Kaana Street, Lihue, HI 96766, as these are court records rather than vital records.
The Office of the County Clerk in Lihue at can provide guidance but does not issue vital records.
Business & Licensing
Business records and licensing in Kauai County are managed through multiple agencies. The Hawaii Business Express portal at https://invest.hawaii.gov provides centralized access to state-level business registration through the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Business Registration Division. Corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and trade names are registered at the state level, with searchable records available free at http://hbe.ehawaii.gov/documents/search.html showing business entity status, registered agents, and filing history.
- General Excise Tax licenses (Hawaii's equivalent of sales tax) are obtained through the Hawaii Department of Taxation at https://hitax.hawaii.gov with a one-time $20 fee.
- Building permits, construction permits, and zoning approvals are processed through Kauai County Planning Department at 4444 Rice Street, Lihue, HI 96766, phone, with permit records searchable through the department.
- The Lihue area Chamber of Commerce, located at 4268A Rice Street, Lihue, HI 96766, website www.kauaichamber.org, provides business support, networking, and advocacy for local businesses.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Kauai County are administered by the Office of the County Clerk, Elections Division, located at 4396 Rice Street, Suite 101, Lihue, HI 96766, phone, website www.kauai.gov/elections. However, voter registration is primarily handled through the State of Hawaii Office of Elections, which maintains a centralized statewide voter registration database. Hawaii residents can register to vote online at https://olvr.hawaii.gov up to 30 days before any election, or in person up to and including Election Day at designated voter service centers. Voters must be U.S.
- Hawaii conducts elections primarily by mail, with all registered voters automatically receiving mail ballots approximately 18 days before Election Day.
- Kauai County Clerk's office provides a list of ballot drop box locations on their website.
Citizens, Hawaii residents, and at least 18 years old by Election Day. To find your polling place in Kauai County, visit the State of Hawaii Elections website at https://elections.hawaii.gov or call the County Clerk's Elections Division. Public election records include voter registration rolls (available for inspection with restrictions on use), campaign spending reports filed with the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission (accessible at http://ags.hawaii.gov/campaign), candidate nomination papers, and precinct-level election results.
The 2024 general election saw turnout in Kauai County of approximately 54%, slightly above the statewide average of 52%, with high participation in presidential and state legislative races. The next major election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. Senate and House races, Hawaii Governor and Lieutenant Governor, state legislative seats, county mayor and council positions, and various state and county ballot measures.
Voters can return ballots by mail (no postage required if mailed within Hawaii), at secure drop boxes located throughout the local community, or in person at voter service centers. In-person voting is available at voter service centers during early voting periods and on Election Day. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 11, citizens can request copies of precinct results, voter turnout statistics, and other election records through the County Clerk's office, with most recent election results posted online.
Economy & Demographics
Kauai County's economy is dominated by tourism, which generates approximately 70% of economic activity, employing thousands in hospitality, accommodations, restaurants, and recreational services. Major employers include Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, Marriott's Kauai County Beach Club, Princeville Resort properties, and numerous smaller hotels and vacation rental operations. The median household income in Kauai County is approximately $84,000, above the national average but reflecting Hawaii's high cost of living.
- Film and television production provides substantial economic impact, with the local community's scenes featured in productions ranging from Jurassic Park to Pirates of the Caribbean.
- Economic challenges include geographic isolation, high housing costs, dependence on imported goods, and seasonal tourism fluctuations.
Agriculture remains significant, with approximately 35,000 acres in agricultural production including seed corn operations by global companies, coffee cultivation in the Westside and Kalaheo areas, taro farming for poi production, and tropical fruit including papaya, banana, and guava. The visitor industry brought approximately 1.3 million tourists annually pre-pandemic, with recovery ongoing. The unemployment rate typically ranges between 2-4% in normal economic conditions, among the lowest in Hawaii.
Government employment (county, state, and federal) represents about 20% of jobs. Renewable energy development is expanding, with solar farms and hydroelectric projects contributing to Kauai County's goal of 100% renewable energy. Kauai County of Kauai County Office of Economic Development works to diversify the economy and support local entrepreneurship.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online | Property: Yes: Free Search | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Phone/Request Required | Vital Records: Yes: Online Ordering | Business: Yes: Online | Elections: Yes: Online | Overall Score: 8/10, Kauai County and Hawaii state agencies provide strong online access to most public records, with court case lookup, property tax records, and business registrations freely searchable online.