Lihue Map
Lihue is a census-designated place (CDP) and the county seat of Kauai County, Hawaii. Lihue is the second largest town on the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i. As of the 2000 Census, the CDP had a total population of 5,674 .
Lihue is served by the Lihue Airport, located in the CDP. The main seaport for Kauai is at Nawiliwili Bay, directly southeast of town. The town is home to the county administration building; Kauai's largest shopping center, Kukui Grove Shopping Center, which houses the island's only big department store, Macy's; and several big-box stores including Sears, K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Costco. There are also several car dealerships and restaurants. Most of the island's traffic lights can be found here.[citation needed] However, Lihue does not have a monopoly on island commerce. There is a cluster of several shopping centers to the north in Kapaa.[citation needed]
In ancient times, Lihue was a minor village. Lihue is located in the ancient district of Puna, the southeastern coast of the island, and land division (ahupua?a) of Kalapaki. Royal Governor Kaikio?ewa officially made it his governing seat in 1837, moving it from Waimea; he named the town after Lihue after the land he owned on Oahu.
Nearby cities include Koloa, Kekaha, Hanalei, Princeville, Kapaa.