Kauaians

The term "Kauaians" refers to the residents and natives of the island of Kauai, the oldest and most northern of the main Hawaiian Islands. Historically, the island was populated by Polynesian settlers who arrived around 300 to 500 CE, and the community developed a distinct culture within the broader Polynesian worldview. Kauaians have traditionally been engaged in subsistence farming, seafood fishing, and horticulture, cultivating taro, sweet potatoes, and taro (kalo) gardens that serve as cultural staples.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Kauai underwent significant changes when Western missionaries, traders, and plantation workers arrived. This influx introduced Christianity, English language, and Western agriculture, including pineapple and sugarcane cultivation. Modern Kauaians are a mix of Native Hawaiian, Asian, and Caucasian ancestry, reflecting Hawaii’s multiethnic mosaic. Census data indicate a current population of roughly 70,000 on the island, with more than 30% identifying as Native Hawaiian or part-Hawaiian, illustrating the enduring presence of indigenous heritage.

Contemporary Kauaians maintain cultural practices such as hula, lei-making, and the drum dance (ho‘oponopono), while participating in the island’s tourism industry. The community actively engages in preservation of natural resources, Hawaiian language revitalization, and education about traditional ecological knowledge. By balancing cultural heritage with economic development, Kauaians continue to contribute to the identity and sustainability of the island within the state of Hawaii.