Many things have changed on Kauai, but many remain the same. What has changed is Kauai’s population. In 1980, Hawaii’s population was 964,691, and Kauai's population was 39,082. (Source) Kauai is the fourth-largest island in Hawaii in terms of population.
The population in Hawaii in 2025 is now closer to 1.5 million, and approximately 73,987 on Kauai. (Source)
With the population growth, the cities on Kauai increased. With that increase, the number of housing units on the island had to increase. Like everything else, the cost of homes in Hawaii and Kauai increased.
As with anything that continues to increase, the best time to buy real property is yesterday. Kauai’s population increased by 89.3% from 1980 to 2025. With the population growth, traffic on the island has also increased considerably; however, the communities in certain parts of the island have remained almost the same.
There are a lot more eateries on the island. Hotels on the island have remained relatively the same.
If you’re looking to buy real property on Kauai, here are some of the numbers you should consider. According to Zillow, the average price of all homes in Hawaii, which includes condominiums and houses, is $840,570. (Source) The home values vary by county.
It’s not a surprise that the best time to buy any property is yesterday. However, Kauai is a great place to visit and live.
Cities/Towns on Kauai
Here is the top ten cities/towns on Kauai in terms of population as of 2025.
Kapaa: 10,883
Lihue: 9,198
Wailua Homesteads: 7,698
Hanamaulu: 4,826
Kalaheo: 4,665
Puhi: 4,225
Kilauea: 3,532
Kekaha: 3,052
Lawai: 3,037
Anahola: 3,010
There are 25 cities, or what I call towns, on the island of Kauai. Here are the top 10 most populated cities or towns on Kauai. (Source)
Visitors to Hawaii and Kauai
Hawaii is heavily dependent on tourism and the revenue it brings in. Kauai relies heavily on tourism dollars, so many of the businesses on the island are established to support both visitors and the local community.
According to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, there were 9,689,113 visitors in 2024. Kauai had 1,369,012 visitors in 2024. (Source)
One noticeable change on the island has been the increased traffic. However, many parts of the island remain a two-lane highway.
Compared to Oahu, Kauai is much slower because fewer people and businesses are on the island. However, due to the ease of island hopping, traveling inter-island is easy to do.
Two major airlines support the four major islands: Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island of Hawaii.
Hawaiian Airlines (Alaska Airlines)
Southwest Airlines
There are smaller airlines that support Lanai and Molokai.
One of the many features that attracts the Kauai residents is that it is not Oahu. Most of the island of Kauai remains untouched. Many of Kauai's residents want to keep it that way.
I’ve spent most of my adult life on Oahu. After leaving Kauai, going to college, and teaching on Oahu, I’ve spent over half of my life there. However, since returning home to Kauai, my hometown where I was born and raised, I wouldn’t want it any other way.
I completed the last two years of my 27-year teaching career at my high school alma mater, Waimea High School, before I retired on June 1st, 2025. I’m now a full-time real estate agent in Hawaii.
But I still haven't given up on everything related to education. I occasionally tutor mathematics online. This time, I get to choose the content I want to tutor. I only tutor Algebra 2, Precalculus, and Calculus, and I only tutor online.
I spend part of my day now driving around the island and taking in Kauai’s beauty. I notice the natural landscape of the island, the housing market, and the eateries on the island.
The best way to experience Kauai is to spend a week, two weeks, or a month on the island. Take advantage of Kauai’s bus system if you don’t want to worry about driving.
What I enjoy doing now is driving around the island with my mom and trying all the eateries I’ve never been to before. Kapaa, the most populated city on Kauai, has the most food trucks, so that is something you might want to do when you visit Kauai.
Visit the Hawaiian Islands website for many of the eateries on Kauai. You will also find many activities you might enjoy doing during your stay.
Activities on Kauai
There are also many beaches you can visit on Kauai. However, here is a word of caution: the beaches in Hawaii can be unpredictable. Use caution and careful judgment whenever you go into the ocean. Here are the beaches you can go to:
Haena Beach Park
Anini Beach Park
Ke'e Beach
Lydgate Beach Park
Lydgate Pond
Kealia Beach
Kalapaki Beach
Poipu Beach Park
Salt Pond Beach Park
Kekaha Beach
(Source)
Of course, there are other activities, such as kayaking, surfing, snorkeling, and whale-watching, available on Kauai. Always be cautious when participating in water activities in Hawaii.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re visiting the islands or considering moving to Kauai, Kauai is a great place to live. If you do decide to move and live on Kauai, the home prices vary. Like any other place, the three most important things in real estate are location, location, and location. See the link for updated home price information. (Source)
The next time you decide to visit Kauai, consider the entire package that the island has to offer. It’s still small enough to consider it a small place to live because of the population, but it also has many things you need and do if you decide to live on Kauai.
Welcome to my hometown of Kauai.
Best wishes,
Don
Thanks Don. Great stuff!! Appreciate all the information in regards to the Islands. Keep writing. Best, David