Kauai

Kauai, island, north-western Hawaii, situated north-west of Oahu, from which it is separated by the Kauai Channel, and east of Niihau, from which it is separated by the Kaulakahi Channel. The state's fourth largest island, sometimes known as the Garden Island, it was formed by volcanic action and is covered with mountains, the highest being Kawaikini Peak, rising to 1,599 km (5,243 ft) above sea level. The area of the island is 1,431 sq km (552 sq mi). Much of the soil, especially in the north, is fertile, and sugar cane and tropical fruits are raised. Kauai is seamed with canyons, the deepest of which, Waimea, is almost 16 km (10 mi) long and more than 0.8 km (0.5 mi) deep. The main population centres are Lihue and Kapaa. The population of the island (1990) is 50,947.