Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i
Encyclopedia
Kailua is a census-designated place
(CDP) in Hawaii County
, Hawaii
, United States
, in the North Kona District
of the Island of Hawaii
. The population was 11,975 at the 2010 census. It is the center of commerce and of the tourist industry on West Hawaii. Its post office is designated Kailua-Kona to differentiate it from the larger Kailua located on windward Oahu
, and it is sometimes referred to as "Kona" in everyday speech. The city is served by Kona International Airport
, located just to the north in the adjacent Kalaoa CDP. Kailua-Kona was the closest major settlement to the epicenter
of the 2006 Hawaii Earthquake
.
to be his seat of government (he was originally the chief of Kona before consolidating rule of the archipelago), and the capital of the newly unified Kingdom of Hawaii
. (The capital was later moved to Lāhainā
, then, to Honolulu
.) Royal fishponds
at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
were the hub of unified Hawaiian culture. The town then functioned as a retreat of the Hawaiian royal family. Up until the late 1900s, Kailua-Kona was primarily a small fishing village. More recently, this region has undergone a real estate and construction boom fueled by tourism and investment.
Kailua is located at 19°39′0"N 155°59′39"W (19.649973, -155.994028), along the shoreline of Kailua Bay and up the southern slope of Hualālai
volcano. There are no major rivers or streams in Kailua or on the Kona side of Hawaii.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 39.8 square miles (103.1 km²), of which, 35.5 square miles (91.9 km²) of it is land and 4.3 square miles (11.1 km²) of it is water. The total area is 10.71% water.
The Kailua-Kona postal code
is 96740. Other communities located in this zip code include: Kalaoa, Kealakehe, Kahaluu, and Keauhou
.
Vog
can cover parts of the Kona coast from time to time depending on the activity of the Kilauea
and the island winds. Kailua-Kona is located on the leeward side of the Hualalai Volcano sheltering the town from wind and rain.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 9,870 people, 3,537 households, and 2,429 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 278.0 people per square mile (107.3/km²). There were 4,322 housing units at an average density of 121.7 per square mile (47.0/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 38.65% White, 0.46% Black or African American, 0.46% Native American, 18.28% Asian, 13.16% Pacific Islander, 1.93% from other races, and 27.07% from two or more races. 10.20% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,537 households out of which 35.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples
living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $40,874, and the median income for a family was $46,657. Males had a median income of $30,353 versus $26,471 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $20,624. 10.8% of the population and 6.5% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.9% of those under the age of 18 and 3.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
triathlon, the annual Kona Coffee Festival, and the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament.
Kona coffee
is the variety of Coffea arabica
cultivated on the slopes of Mount Hualalai and Mauna Loa
in the North and South Kona Districts.
Alii Drive (shown above), Kailua's oceanfront downtown street, starts at Kailua Pier; here are some historic places heading South.
Kailua Pier is the starting and finishing point for the Ironman World Championship Triathlon in October.
North of the pier is the Kamakahonu
royal residence and Ahuena Heiau
.
Another royal residence is Hulihee Palace
, used by members of the Hawaiian royal family until 1914.
The Historic Kona Inn and other shops are on the street.
Churches on the drive include Mokuaikaua Church
, Hawaii's first Christian
church built in 1820, and Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church.
Parks include Laaloa Bay
(also known as Magic Sands or White Sands Beach) and
Kahaluu Bay
, which has some of Hawaii's best snorkeling.
which is owned by the Stephens Media Group.
are in the Kailua CDP.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in Hawaii County
Hawaii County, Hawaii
Hawaii County is a county located in the U.S. state of Hawaii in the Hawaiian Islands. It is coterminous with the Island of Hawaii, often called the "Big Island" to distinguish it from the state as a whole. As of the 2010 Census the population was 185,079. The county seat is Hilo. There are no...
, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, in the North Kona District
Kona District, Hawaii
Kona is the name of a moku or district on the Big Island of Hawaii in the State of Hawaii. In the current system of administration of Hawaii County, the moku of Kona is divided into North Kona District and South Kona District . The term "Kona" is sometimes used to refer to its largest town,...
of the Island of Hawaii
Hawaii (island)
The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
. The population was 11,975 at the 2010 census. It is the center of commerce and of the tourist industry on West Hawaii. Its post office is designated Kailua-Kona to differentiate it from the larger Kailua located on windward Oahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
, and it is sometimes referred to as "Kona" in everyday speech. The city is served by Kona International Airport
Kona International Airport
Kona International Airport at Keāhole is an airport on the Island of Hawaii, in Kalaoa CDP, Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States. The airport serves leeward, or Western Hawaii island, including the town of Kailua-Kona and the major resorts of the North Kona and South Kohala districts.- History...
, located just to the north in the adjacent Kalaoa CDP. Kailua-Kona was the closest major settlement to the epicenter
Epicenter
The epicenter or epicentre is the point on the Earth's surface that is directly above the hypocenter or focus, the point where an earthquake or underground explosion originates...
of the 2006 Hawaii Earthquake
2006 Hawaii earthquake
The 2006 Hawaii earthquake was an offshore earthquake occurring southwest from Puakō and north of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, just offshore of the Kona Airport, on Sunday October 15, 2006 at 7:07:49 AM local time . It measured 6.7 on the moment magnitude scale, and was located at , at a depth of...
.
History
The community was established by King Kamehameha IKamehameha I
Kamehameha I , also known as Kamehameha the Great, conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii's independence under his rule...
to be his seat of government (he was originally the chief of Kona before consolidating rule of the archipelago), and the capital of the newly unified Kingdom of Hawaii
Kingdom of Hawaii
The Kingdom of Hawaii was established during the years 1795 to 1810 with the subjugation of the smaller independent chiefdoms of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lānai, Kauai and Niihau by the chiefdom of Hawaii into one unified government...
. (The capital was later moved to Lāhainā
Lahaina, Hawai'i
Lāhainā is the largest census-designated place in West Maui, Maui County, Hawaii, United States, and the gateway to the famous Kaanapali and Kapalua beach resorts north of the community. As of the 2000 Census, the CDP had a resident population of 9,118...
, then, to Honolulu
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and...
.) Royal fishponds
Hawaiian aquaculture
The Hawaiian people practiced aquaculture through development of fish ponds , the most advanced fish husbandry among the original peoples of the Pacific. These fishponds were typically shallow areas of a reef flat surrounded by a low lava rock wall built out from the shore...
at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park located in the Kona District on the Big island of Hawaii in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It includes the National Historic Landmarked archaeological site known as the Honokōhau Settlement...
were the hub of unified Hawaiian culture. The town then functioned as a retreat of the Hawaiian royal family. Up until the late 1900s, Kailua-Kona was primarily a small fishing village. More recently, this region has undergone a real estate and construction boom fueled by tourism and investment.
Geography
Hualalai
Hualālai is a dormant shield volcano on the island of Hawaii in the Hawaiian Islands. It is the third-youngest and the third most active of the five volcanoes that form the island of Hawaii, following Kīlauea and the much larger Mauna Loa, and also the westernmost. Its peak is above sea...
volcano. There are no major rivers or streams in Kailua or on the Kona side of Hawaii.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 39.8 square miles (103.1 km²), of which, 35.5 square miles (91.9 km²) of it is land and 4.3 square miles (11.1 km²) of it is water. The total area is 10.71% water.
The Kailua-Kona postal code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
is 96740. Other communities located in this zip code include: Kalaoa, Kealakehe, Kahaluu, and Keauhou
Kahalu'u-Keauhou, Hawai'i
Kahaluu-Keauhou is a census-designated place in Hawai‘i County, Hawai‘i, United States. The population was 2,414 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Kahaluu-Keauhou is located at ....
.
Climate
Kona has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. The coldest month in Kona is January and the average high in January is 81.9°F (28°C) while the average low is 66.4°F (19°C). August is the warmest month and the average high is 88.0°F (31°C) while the average low is 73.6°F (23°C). Humidity is generally between 50% and 70%. Kona is generally dry, with a mean annual percipitation of 11.15 in. Mornings are typically clear while thermal clouds created in the day raise the temperature during the day.Vog
Vog
Vog is a form of air pollution that results when sulfur dioxide and other gases and particles emitted by an erupting volcano react with oxygen and moisture in the presence of sunlight. The word is a portmanteau of the words "volcanic" and "smog"...
can cover parts of the Kona coast from time to time depending on the activity of the Kilauea
Kilauea
Kīlauea is a volcano in the Hawaiian Islands, and one of five shield volcanoes that together form the island of Hawaii. Kīlauea means "spewing" or "much spreading" in the Hawaiian language, referring to its frequent outpouring of lava. The Puu Ōō cone has been continuously erupting in the eastern...
and the island winds. Kailua-Kona is located on the leeward side of the Hualalai Volcano sheltering the town from wind and rain.
2000 Census data
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 9,870 people, 3,537 households, and 2,429 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 278.0 people per square mile (107.3/km²). There were 4,322 housing units at an average density of 121.7 per square mile (47.0/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 38.65% White, 0.46% Black or African American, 0.46% Native American, 18.28% Asian, 13.16% Pacific Islander, 1.93% from other races, and 27.07% from two or more races. 10.20% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,537 households out of which 35.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $40,874, and the median income for a family was $46,657. Males had a median income of $30,353 versus $26,471 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $20,624. 10.8% of the population and 6.5% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.9% of those under the age of 18 and 3.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Attractions and events
Kailua is the start and finish of the annual Ironman World ChampionshipIronman World Championship
The Ironman World Championship has been held annually in Hawaii since 1978, with an additional race in 1982. It is owned and organised by the World Triathlon Corporation and is currently sponsored by Ford...
triathlon, the annual Kona Coffee Festival, and the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament.
Kona coffee
Kona coffee
Kona coffee is the market name for coffee cultivated on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa in the North and South Kona Districts of the Big Island of Hawaii. It is one of the most expensive coffees in the world. Only coffee from the Kona Districts can be described as "Kona"...
is the variety of Coffea arabica
Coffea arabica
Coffea arabica is a species of Coffea originally indigenous to the mountains of Yemen in the Arabian Peninsula, hence its name, and also from the southwestern highlands of Ethiopia and southeastern Sudan. It is also known as the "coffee shrub of Arabia", "mountain coffee" or "arabica coffee"...
cultivated on the slopes of Mount Hualalai and Mauna Loa
Mauna Loa
Mauna Loa is one of five volcanoes that form the Island of Hawaii in the U.S. state of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean, and the largest on Earth in terms of volume and area covered. It is an active shield volcano, with a volume estimated at approximately , although its peak is about lower than that...
in the North and South Kona Districts.
Alii Drive (shown above), Kailua's oceanfront downtown street, starts at Kailua Pier; here are some historic places heading South.
Kailua Pier is the starting and finishing point for the Ironman World Championship Triathlon in October.
North of the pier is the Kamakahonu
Kamakahonu
Kamakahonu, the residence of Kamehameha I, was located at the North end of Kailua Bay in Kailua-Kona on Hawaiʻi Island.-History:Kamehameha I , who unified the Hawaiian Islands, lived out the last years of his life and instituted some of the most constructive measures of his reign here...
royal residence and Ahuena Heiau
Heiau
A heiau is a Hawaiian temple. Many types of heiau existed, including heiau to treat the sick , offer first fruits, offer first catch, start rain, stop rain, increase the population, ensure health of the nation, achieve success in distant voyaging, reach peace, and achieve success in war . Only the...
.
Another royal residence is Hulihee Palace
Hulihee Palace
The Hulihee Palace is located in historic Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, on Alii Drive. The former vacation home of Hawaiian royalty, it was converted to a museum run by the Daughters of Hawaii, showcasing furniture and artifacts.-History:...
, used by members of the Hawaiian royal family until 1914.
The Historic Kona Inn and other shops are on the street.
Churches on the drive include Mokuaikaua Church
Mokuaikaua Church
Mokuaikaua Church is the oldest Christian church in the Hawaiian Islands.Its address is 75-5713 Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona, coordinates .-History:...
, Hawaii's first Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
church built in 1820, and Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church.
Parks include Laaloa Bay
Laaloa Bay
Laaloa Bay is a popular recreation area in Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii.Also known as "Magic Sands" or "White Sands Beach", the official name is "Laaloa Beach County Park"...
(also known as Magic Sands or White Sands Beach) and
Kahaluu Bay
Kahaluu Bay
Kahaluu Bay is a historic district and popular recreation area on the Kona coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.-Early history:This area has been populated for about 500 years, and in the 18th and 19th centuries was an important royal residence....
, which has some of Hawaii's best snorkeling.
Media
Kailua-Kona is served by the newspaper West Hawaii TodayWest Hawaii Today
West Hawaii Today is a Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i based daily newspaper. It is owned and published by Stephens Media, LLC.-History:West Hawaii Today began in 1962 as a special weekly edition of Hilo Tribune-Herald. Known as the Kona Tribune-Herald it continued in 1964 as a weekly.From late 1964 until...
which is owned by the Stephens Media Group.
Education
Hawaii Department of Education operates public schools. Kealakehe Elementary School, Kahakai Elementary School, Kealakehe Intermediate School, and Kealakehe High SchoolKealakehe High School
Kealakehe High School is a public high school located in Kailua CDP, Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States. It has the largest geographic school attendance boundary in the state and covers a geographic district wide, encompassing the communities of Kailua-Kona, Holualoa, Waikoloa, and Puako...
are in the Kailua CDP.