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 Hawaii is the fiftieth state in the United States. It is divided into counties and cities with most of the governmental services being State or County.
The Big Island is one county unto itself with an elected mayor and a nine-member council. Hilo is the county seat.
Kauai County is composed of the islands of Kauai and Ni'ihau. The mayor is elected with a two-year term and the seven-member county council with two-year terms. Lihue, on Kauai, is the county seat.
Maui County consists of the islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai and uninhabited Kahoolawe. The county is governed by an elected mayor with a four-year term and a nine-member council with two-year terms. The county seat is in Wailuku on Maui.
Kalaupapa Peninsula on Molokai and the home of the old leper colony, is a county unto itself called Kalawao. It is basically administered by the State Department of Health.
The City & County of Honolulu is the unwieldy name attached to the single political entity governing all of Oahu. Oahu is administered by a mayor and a nine-member council, elected for four-year terms. The county seat is in the city of Honolulu.
Economy and rapid development are the most controversial issues in Hawaii as they have been since Captain Cook arrived. |
The Islands 
