Business
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $8,300 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $500,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $12,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $960,000 in Princeville)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $7,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $600,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 21% (Federal) + up to 6.4% (Hawaii State)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% for US residents; up to 30% for non-residents (subject to treaties)
- Tax System
- US Federal/State system; worldwide income for US citizens/green card holders
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% (Federal) + 11% (Hawaii State)
- VAT
- No VAT; Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) is approx. 4.712%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Subpart F and GILTI rules apply for US taxpayers
- Property Tax
- Yes, Kauai County Real Property Tax (Low for owner-occupied, high for vacation rentals)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Conveyance Tax varies from 0.10% to 1.25% based on value
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad tax breaks; high cost of living and state taxes are a factor
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $11,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $460,000 for a condo in Lihue/Kapa'a)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $9,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $360,000 in West Side/Waimea)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $10,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $650,000 in Poipu/Lihue)
Food and Drink
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Kapa'a Old Town; Poipu area (Stevenson’s Library for upscale cocktails)
- Local Brewery
- Kauai Island Brewing Co. (Port Allen), Kauai Beer Company (Lihue)
- Wine Bars
- The Wine Shop Koloa (Tasting events)
- Street Food Stalls
- Warehouse 3540 (Lawai) - Food truck court with multiple local vendors
- Popular International Cuisine
- Japanese: Hamura Saimin (Lihue); Thai: Thai Garden Café (Kapa'a)
- Best Food Delivery App
- DoorDash (limited to Lihue/Kapa'a), Bite Squad
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Kalua Pork and Poi; Poke bowls from Konohiki Seafoods (Lihue)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Eat Healthy Kauai (Kapa'a), Russell's (Kapa'a) - High-quality plant-based menus
- Best Dessert Spots
- Wishing Well Shave Ice (Hanalei) - $10-$14; Lappert's Hawaii (Hanapepe/Poipu)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Costco (Lihue), Walmart (Lihue), Big Save Markets
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (Prime shipping takes 3-7 days to Kauai)
- Grocery Delivery
- Instacart (Safeway/Costco), Kauai Fresh Delivery
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Waimea Canyon (The Grand Canyon of the Pacific); Na Pali Coast
- Museums & Art Venues
- Kauai Museum (Lihue) - $15 entry; Grove Farm Sugar Plantation Museum
- Historical Sites
- Old Koloa Town; Captain Cook's Landing (Waimea)
- Religious Sites
- Kauai's Hindu Monastery (Kapa'a); Waiʻoli Huiʻia Church (Hanalei)
- Annual Events
- Koloa Plantation Days (July); Kauai Mokihana Festival (September)
- Cultural Districts
- Hanapepe Town (Art Night every Friday)
- Theater Venues
- Kauai Community Players (Lihue)
- Local Markets
- Hanalei Farmers Market (Saturdays); Kapa'a Sunshine Market (Wednesdays)
- Music Scene
- Tahiti Nui (Hanalei) - live Hawaiian music nightly
- Street Art
- Murals in Lihue Town and Hanapepe Art District
- Cooking Classes
- Monkeypod Jam (Lawai) - masterclasses on Hawaiian preserves and tropical fruits
- Art Galleries
- Shipwrecked Kauai (Kapa'a); various galleries in Hanapepe
- Historic Buildings
- Kilohana Plantation Estate (Lihue)
- Local Heritage
- Native Hawaiian culture; history of King Kaumuali‘i
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Koke'e State Park (Hiking trails and forest scenery)
- National Parks Nearby
- Haleakala National Park (on nearby Maui island); Kauai has State Parks
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Ke Ala Hele Makalae (Kapa'a Bike Path) - 8 miles of oceanfront trail
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Kalalau Lookout (Waimea Canyon); Opaeka'a Falls (Wailua)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge (Nene, Albatross)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Prohibited on most public beaches; permitted only at specific designated campsites with permits
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- USPS, FedEx, UPS (all located in Lihue)
- Tech Repair Services
- Kauai Cell Phone Repair (Lihue)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Kapa'a Neighborhood Center
- Language Classes
- Hawaiian Language classes via Kauai Community College
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Lihue Public Library, Princeville Public Library
- Community Centers
- All Saints' Episcopal Church (Kapa'a) - community gatherings
- Gaming Lounges
- None; limited to private interest groups
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Hawaii (No casinos)
Essentials
- City
- Lihue (County Seat), Kauai, Hawaii, United States
- Population
- 73,298 (Island wide)
- Internet Speed
- Average 150-300 Mbps; Fiber available in Lihue and Kapa'a via Hawaiian Telcom
- Currency & Banking
- United States Dollar (USD); 1 EUR ≈ 1.08 USD
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink; high-quality volcanic filtered water
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- Verizon (best coverage), AT&T, and T-Mobile; $40-$60/month for unlimited data
- Banking for Expats
- Bank of Hawaii, First Hawaiian Bank, Charles Schwab, Revolut/Wise (widely accepted)
- Accommodation
- Expensive; high demand. Resort stays, B&Bs, and dedicated TVRs (Transient Vacation Rentals)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and mobile pay (Apple Pay) accepted at 95% of locations
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO (mostly in Princeville and Poipu); $250-$500/night
- Budget Accommodation
- Kauai Beach House Hostel (Kapa'a) approximate $65/night for dorms
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Poipu (South) for sun/beaches; Hanalei/Princeville (North) for lush scenery
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Kapa'a (East) for central location, walkable shops, and better internet reliability
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Common Ground (Kilauea) - focused on sustainability and food system innovation
- Best Cafe for Work
- Java Kai (Kapa'a) - reliable Wi-Fi, great coffee, and outdoor seating
- Networking Events
- Kauai Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours; Tech Hui meetups
- Social Events for Expats
- Kauai Slack Key Guitar Festival; weekly farmers markets (e.g., Sunshine Markets)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber and Lyft (primarily Lihue and Kapa'a); Kauai Taxi ($4.00 base + $3.00/mile)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Coconut Coasters (Kapa'a) - $15-$30/day; Hele On Kauai Bike Rentals
- Best Beach Nearby
- Poipu Beach Park (South Shore) or Hanalei Bay (North Shore)
- Top Regional Airline
- Hawaiian Airlines, Mokulele Airlines (inter-island flights approx. $60-$120)
- Top International Airline
- United, American, Delta, Alaska Airlines (Direct from US Mainland/Canada)
- Highway Access
- Route 56 (Kuhio Hwy) connects North/East; Route 50 (Kaumualii Hwy) connects South/West
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- None; Kauai Bus is the primary public transit system
- Public Transport Passes
- The Kauai Bus - $2 per ride or $50 for a monthly pass
- Regional Travel
- Inter-island ferries are non-existent; air travel via LIH (Lihue Airport) is required
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Wilcox Medical Center (Lihue) - Level III Trauma Center
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Bikram Yoga Kauai (Kapa'a), Black Coral Yoga (Hanalei) - $20-$25 per class
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Kauai Athletic Club (Lihue and Kapa'a) - $75/month
- Laundry Services
- Kapa'a Laundromat ($5.00 wash/dry); Lihue Laundromat