It was the first public high school on Kauaʻi and has a rich history, a wide variety of programs, and many notable alumni.

The hill above Nāwiliwili was called Ke Kuhiau ("high point"), and was one of three heiau near Kalapakī Bay.

When new county buildings were built on Rice Street, Kauaʻi High School was established atop the hill.

On April 30, 1913, the governor of the Territory of Hawaii signed into law Act 160 to establish "the Kauai High School".

The '60s was a time when students were encouraged to "do your own thing", and Kauaʻi High was a part of that approach to life.

Kauaʻi High School added numerous clubs, including the National Thespian Society, Explorer Post, and Y-Club.

Kauaʻi High greeted the '80s after a statewide six-week strike that left classrooms uncleaned, lunches unprepared and, later, the school unopened.

[4] In 1998 the six-period day was abandoned in favor of block scheduling, and in 2000 the intermediate grades went to Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School.

On March 1, 2021, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at Kaua‘i High School for a new gymnasium, nicknamed "The Roost".

The campus sits on about four acres off Lala Road and has sweeping views of Kalapakī Bay and Nāwiliwili Harbor.

Also on campus are the bronze sculpture Reflections by Bumpei Akaji, the resin relief mural The Struggle by Joseph Hadley, the ceramic fountain Ka Hoʻo Mau by Wayne Miyata, and the mixed media sculpture Kauai Ola by Ken Shutt.