Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [398]
The plantation closed in 2001, ending more than a century of operation. But, in Lihu′e and its vicinity, the ethnic makeup still reflects the island’s plantation history, with substantial numbers of Japanese and Filipino residents, as well as Caucasians and mixed-race people.
Now Lihu′e’s economy relies not only on tourism but on retail, which is obvious from all the big-box stores at Kukui Grove Shopping Center. You might not think an island of 63,000 needs a Costco but, in October 2006, it got one.
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ORIENTATION
Lihu′e’s focal points are Nawiliwili Bay, the island’s only major harbor, and Lihu′e Airport, the island’s only major airport. Rice St, considered the town’s main drag, runs east–west and passes the government buildings and post office, while Kuhio Hwy (Hwy 56) leads to shops and restaurants toward the north.
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INFORMATION
Bookstores
Borders (Map; 246-0862; Kukui Grove Shopping Center, 4303 Nawiliwili Rd; 9am-10pm Mon-Thu, to 11pm Fri & Sat, to 8pm Sun) Large chain with wide range of books, CDs and DVDs; lots of local selections unavailable on the mainland. In-store Starbucks café.
Tropic Isle Music Co (Map; 245-8700; www.tropicislemusic.com; Anchor Cove Shopping Center, 3416 Rice St; 9am-9pm) Huge selection of Hawaii-specific books, CDs, stationery, food, toiletries, fabrics – you name it. See website for complete online store.
Emergency
Police, Fire & Ambulance (911)
Police Station (Map; 241-1771; 3060 Umi St) For nonemergencies, incident reporting and information.
Sexual Assault Crisis Line (245-4144)
Internet Access
Unless you have your own computer, free internet access is rare in Lihu′e. One option is Kukui Grove Shopping Center (Map; Kukui Grove Shopping Center, Kuhio Hwy; 9:30am-7pm Mon-Thu & Sat, to 9pm Fri, to 6pm Sun; ), where the mall’s free wi-fi zone runs from Sears through the food court and central walkway. If you can’t do without a table and espresso, pay for access at the mall’s two Starbucks locations.
For dinosaur-age dial-up service, Hawaii Link (Map; 246-9300; www.hawaiilink.net; 2950 Kress St; 10am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-noon Sat) offers a $10 dail-up account deal for two weeks.
Laundry
Lihu′e Laundromat (Map; 332-8356; Rice Shopping Center, 4303 Rice St; 24hr)
Media
NEWSPAPERS
Garden Island (www.kauaiworld.com) Kaua‘i’s daily newspaper is very lean and locally focused, but it’s a good source for current island events and issues.
RADIO
KITH 98.9FM Contemporary island music, including Hawaiian and reggae, plus local-favorite covers of American pop classics. Upbeat choice for island cruising.
KKCR 90.9FM (www.kkcr.org) Kaua′i Community Radio is 100% volunteer run, listener supported and noncommercial. Excellent spectrum of music programming, plus call-in talk shows, interviews and live in-studio performances. No NPR or PRI national programs. It’s based in Hanalei, but you can listen islandwide at 91.9FM.
KQNG 93.5FM (www.kongradio.com) Known as KONG radio, this popular station plays mainstream US pop and contemporary island music. DJs Ron Wiley (mornings) and Marc Valentine (afternoons) are island institutions.
KQNG 570AM News, sports and talk, including syndicated shows by Rush Limbaugh, Dr Dean Edell, Mitch Albom and Al Franken.
KTOH 99.9FM Oldies, classic hits from the 1960s to 1990s.
KUAI 720AM The best station for news, every hour on the hour, plus extended coverage at 7am, noon and 5pm on weekdays.
TELEVISION
KVIC A televised loop of Kaua′i tourist information on channel 3.
Medical Services
Longs Drugs (Map; 245-7771; Kukui Grove Shopping Center, 3-2600 Kaumuali′i Hwy; store 7am-10pm Mon-Sat, 8am-8pm Sun, pharmacy 8am-9pm Mon-Sat, 9am-6pm Sun)
Wilcox Memorial Hospital (Map; 245-1010, TTY 245-1133; 3420 Kuhio Hwy) Kaua′i’s only major hospital. Emergency services 24 hours.
Money
Banks with 24-hour ATMs:
American Savings Bank (Map; 246-8844;