Waipahu, Hawai'i
Encyclopedia
Waipahu is a former sugar plantation town and now census-designated place
(CDP) located in the Ewa District on the island of Oahu
in the City & County of Honolulu
, Hawaii
. As of the 2000 Census
, the CDP population was 33,108. The U.S. postal code
for Waipahu is 96797.
, Waipahu is derived from wai, meaning water, and pahū, meaning "burst or gush forth". The early Native Hawaiians
took pleasure in the cool and clear water gushing from the ground and named this spring Waipahu. Before the Western civilization set foot in Hawaii, the Hawaiians considered Waipahu to be the capital of Oahu
. Royalty in the Kingdom of Hawaii
would often gather and enjoy the fresh water from the spring Waipahu.
In 1897, Oahu Sugar Company was incorporated and its Board of Directors located the sugar mill in Waipahu. The Company's managers from 1897 to 1940 were: August Ahrens (1897–1904); E.K. Bull (1904–1919); J.B. Thomson (1919–1923); E.W. Greene (1923–1937); and Hans L'Orange (1937–1956).
The company imported laborers from many different countries including the Philippines, Japan, China, Portugal, and Norway. Very few laborers working for the Oahu Sugar Co. were actually Hawaiian.
The majority of the company's first laborers were either Japanese or Chinese. Each ethnic group was broken up into different camps. This division was said to have been the result of different cultures and language barriers.
Field workers received an average monthly salary of $12.50. However, Filipino immigrants were paid less than all of the other laborers because of the fact that they were the cheapest to import. The Filipinos, on average, made less than $10.00 a month. The Chinese generally were paid the most with a monthly average of $15.00.
Oahu Sugar Company shut down plantation operations after the 1995 harvest.
In 1923, the athletic field now known as Hans L'Orange Park was built. Today, the park is primarily used for baseball
, and is the home field of Hawaii Pacific University's
men's baseball team, the Sea Warriors. It was the home field of the Hawaii Winter Baseball
teams North Shore Honu
and West Oahu CaneFires
until 2008.
In 1973, the City and County of Honolulu and the State of Hawai'i purchased 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) opposite the Waipahu sugar mill to establish the Waipahu Cultural and Garden Park. The park matured and is known today as the Hawai'i Plantation Village. Hawai'i Plantation Village is a living history museum located in Waipahu.
In 1997, the Governor of Hawaii, Benjamin J. Cayetano, proclaimed the months of June 1997 through November 1997, to be Waipahu Centennial Celebration Months. Many activities and events were held to celebrate Waipahu Centennial. Benjamin Cayetano was also became the first person to name Waipahu as 94-BLOCK. He called this 94-BLOCK because during ancient time before the foreigners discover Hawaii, Waipahu was the capital of OAHU.
Waipahu is the home to the 2008 Little League World Series
Champions from Waipi'o Little League. They defeated Matamoros, Mexico
12-3 in the final game on August 24, 2008. On August 28, 2010, that same team won the U.S. championship of the Little League World Series, defeating the team from Pearland, Texas
, but lost to Edogawa Minami LL of Tokyo
on August 29, 2010 in the international championship.
at 21°23′33"N 158°0′39"W (21.392500, -158.010710). Both Interstate H-1
and Farrington Highway (Hawaii Route 90) run east-west through the length of Waipahu. Waikele is located across the freeway north of Waipahu. Waikele consists of newer subdivisions and a world famous outlet shopping center and golf course. To the west via either roadway can be reached Makakilo and Kapolei
, with the Leeward coast beyond. To the east, lies Pearl City
and the H-2
interchange to Waipio
. At the western end of Waipahu is Kunia Road (State Rte. 750) which leads to the Waipahu newer growth areas of Royal Kunia and Village Park north of H-1, and eventuually on up across the central plain to Kunia and Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army Airfield
, and Wahiawā. Kunia Road becomes Fort Weaver Road (State Rte. 76) south of Farrington Highway, and goes south through Honouliuli and Ewa Villages to Ewa Beach.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²), of which, 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (2.28%) is water.
of 2000, there were 33,108 people, 7,566 households, and 6,431 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 12,882.8 people per square mile (4,974.0/km²). There were 8,033 housing units at an average density of 3,125.7 per square mile (1,206.8/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 4.73% White, 0.93% African American, 0.14% Native American, 65.77% Asian, 12.31% Pacific Islander, 0.86% from other races
, and 15.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.09% of the population.
There were 7,566 households out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% were married couples
living together, 18.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.0% were non-families. 11.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.23 and the average family size was 4.37.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $49,444, and the median income for a family was $51,855. Males had a median income of $28,295 versus $23,818 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $14,484. About 10.6% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.0% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.
operates the Waipahu Post Office in Waipahu.
The Hawaii Department of Public Safety
operates the Waiawa Correctional Facility in an area near Waipahu.
Waipahu contains two (high) school districts with some students attending Waipahu High School
with others attending Pearl City High School
.
Elementary schools in the CDP include August Ahrens, Honowai, and Waipahu. Waipahu Intermediate School and Waipahu High School are in the CDP.
The museum opened its doors on September 20, 1992, displaying original structures and replica homes of the multiethnic groups who came to Hawaii between the mid-1800s and the 1940s to work as plantation laborers.
Guided tours are conducted at the start of each hour, Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 pm.
Admission is as follows:
'Adult' - $13.00
'Senior' (62+ with ID) - $10.00
'Kama'aina' (with ID) - $ 7.00
'Military' (with ID) - $7.00
'Youth' (4-11 years) - $5.00
'Children' (3 and under) – Free
Last updated October 31, 2010
The Hawaii Plantation was featured on popular Syfy show Ghost Hunters in season 7, episode 716 titled “Harvesting Murder”.
The TAPS crew investigated the Portuguese, Japanese and Filipino homes, and the Social Hall of the plantation to resolve any issues regarding paranormal activities that occurred there. Click here to read the full synopsis of the episode
The Hawaii Plantation Village is also renowned for its Halloween attraction “Haunted Plantation” which first opened up in 2006, when Groundup Movement's owner Noa Laporga had the idea to start up a haunted attraction. He approached the Hawai‘i Plantation Village executive director after learning of its legends and stories.
In 2006 they showed it for one night and sold out after 1,000 people. The second year they showed it two nights, which also sold out. The third year they showed it for four nights which sold out. Per night, the attraction sees between 1,500-2,000 people.
In the year 2011, the Haunted Plantation was ranked #13 as the world’s best haunts on tophaunts.com as well as being ranked #6 in the “Top 10 Haunts that Will Scare the Bejezus Out of You in America” in 2010 via Matador Network, the world’s largest independent travel magazine.
Click here for the Official 2011 trailer for the Haunted Plantation
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) located in the Ewa District on the island of 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...
in the City & County of Honolulu
Honolulu County, Hawaii
The City and County of Honolulu is a consolidated city–county located in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The municipality and county includes both the urban district of Honolulu and the rest of the island of Oahu, as well as several minor outlying islands, including all of the Northwestern Hawaiian...
, 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...
. As of the 2000 Census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, the CDP population was 33,108. The U.S. postal code
Postal code
A postal code is a series of letters and/or digits appended to a postal address for the purpose of sorting mail. Once postal codes were introduced, other applications became possible.In February 2005, 117 of the 190 member countries of the Universal Postal Union had postal code systems...
for Waipahu is 96797.
History
Waipahu is a name of an artesian spring. In HawaiianHawaiian language
The Hawaiian language is a Polynesian language that takes its name from Hawaii, the largest island in the tropical North Pacific archipelago where it developed. Hawaiian, along with English, is an official language of the state of Hawaii...
, Waipahu is derived from wai, meaning water, and pahū, meaning "burst or gush forth". The early Native Hawaiians
Native Hawaiians
Native Hawaiians refers to the indigenous Polynesian people of the Hawaiian Islands or their descendants. Native Hawaiians trace their ancestry back to the original Polynesian settlers of Hawaii.According to the U.S...
took pleasure in the cool and clear water gushing from the ground and named this spring Waipahu. Before the Western civilization set foot in Hawaii, the Hawaiians considered Waipahu to be the capital of 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...
. Royalty in the 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...
would often gather and enjoy the fresh water from the spring Waipahu.
In 1897, Oahu Sugar Company was incorporated and its Board of Directors located the sugar mill in Waipahu. The Company's managers from 1897 to 1940 were: August Ahrens (1897–1904); E.K. Bull (1904–1919); J.B. Thomson (1919–1923); E.W. Greene (1923–1937); and Hans L'Orange (1937–1956).
The company imported laborers from many different countries including the Philippines, Japan, China, Portugal, and Norway. Very few laborers working for the Oahu Sugar Co. were actually Hawaiian.
The majority of the company's first laborers were either Japanese or Chinese. Each ethnic group was broken up into different camps. This division was said to have been the result of different cultures and language barriers.
Field workers received an average monthly salary of $12.50. However, Filipino immigrants were paid less than all of the other laborers because of the fact that they were the cheapest to import. The Filipinos, on average, made less than $10.00 a month. The Chinese generally were paid the most with a monthly average of $15.00.
Oahu Sugar Company shut down plantation operations after the 1995 harvest.
In 1923, the athletic field now known as Hans L'Orange Park was built. Today, the park is primarily used for baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, and is the home field of Hawaii Pacific University's
Hawaii Pacific University
Hawaii Pacific University, also known as HPU, is a private, Nonsectarian, coeducational university located in Honolulu, Hawaii and Kaneohe, Hawaii. HPU founded in 1965 as Hawaii Pacific College by Paul C.T. Loo, Eureka Forbes, Elizabeth W...
men's baseball team, the Sea Warriors. It was the home field of the Hawaii Winter Baseball
Hawaii Winter Baseball
Hawaii Winter Baseball, based in Honolulu, Hawaii, was a professional baseball league located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. It was loosely affiliated with Major League Baseball.-History:...
teams North Shore Honu
North Shore Honu
The North Shore Honu were a minor league baseball team in the Hawaii Winter Baseball league. They are based in Waipahu, Hawaii. The name Honu is derived from the Hawaiian word for a sea turtle. They play their home games at the Hans L'Orange Field....
and West Oahu CaneFires
West Oahu CaneFires
The West Oahu CaneFires were a minor league baseball team in the Hawaii Winter Baseball league. They are based in Waipahu, Hawaii. The name CaneFires is derived from the burning of sugarcane before harvest. There are many sugarcane plantations on the island of Oahu. The CaneFires began as the Kauai...
until 2008.
In 1973, the City and County of Honolulu and the State of Hawai'i purchased 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) opposite the Waipahu sugar mill to establish the Waipahu Cultural and Garden Park. The park matured and is known today as the Hawai'i Plantation Village. Hawai'i Plantation Village is a living history museum located in Waipahu.
In 1997, the Governor of Hawaii, Benjamin J. Cayetano, proclaimed the months of June 1997 through November 1997, to be Waipahu Centennial Celebration Months. Many activities and events were held to celebrate Waipahu Centennial. Benjamin Cayetano was also became the first person to name Waipahu as 94-BLOCK. He called this 94-BLOCK because during ancient time before the foreigners discover Hawaii, Waipahu was the capital of OAHU.
Waipahu is the home to the 2008 Little League World Series
2008 Little League World Series
The Little League World Series, was held in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. It began on August 15 and ended August 24. Eight teams from the United States and eight from throughout the world competed to decide the winner of the 62nd installment of the Little League World Series...
Champions from Waipi'o Little League. They defeated Matamoros, Mexico
Matamoros, Tamaulipas
Matamoros, officially known as Heroica Matamoros, is a city in the northeastern part of Tamaulipas, in the country of Mexico. It is located on the southern bank of the Rio Grande, directly across the border from Brownsville, Texas, in the United States. Matamoros is the second largest and second...
12-3 in the final game on August 24, 2008. On August 28, 2010, that same team won the U.S. championship of the Little League World Series, defeating the team from Pearland, Texas
Pearland, Texas
Pearland , is a city located along the Gulf Coast region in the US state of Texas within the metropolitan area and is in the counties of Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Harris. As of the census of 2000, the city's population was 37,640. As of 2008, Pearland is estimated to have a population of 90,700...
, but lost to Edogawa Minami LL of Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
on August 29, 2010 in the international championship.
Geography
Waipahu is located along the northern shore of both Middle Loch and West Loch of Pearl HarborPearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
at 21°23′33"N 158°0′39"W (21.392500, -158.010710). Both Interstate H-1
Interstate H-1
Interstate H-1 is the busiest Interstate Highway in Hawaii, United States, located on the island of O‘ahu. Despite the number, this is an east–west highway—the 'H'-series numbering reflects the order in which routes were funded and built. H-1 goes from Route 93 in Kapolei to Route 72 in...
and Farrington Highway (Hawaii Route 90) run east-west through the length of Waipahu. Waikele is located across the freeway north of Waipahu. Waikele consists of newer subdivisions and a world famous outlet shopping center and golf course. To the west via either roadway can be reached Makakilo and Kapolei
Kapolei, Hawaii
Kapolei is an unincorporated community in Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States on the island of Oahu and is colloquially known as the "second city". Second to Honolulu in size, it is not a legal municipal corporation and thus not properly a city....
, with the Leeward coast beyond. To the east, lies Pearl City
Pearl City, Hawaii
Pearl City is a census-designated place located in the Ewa District and City & County of Honolulu on the Island of Oahu. As of the 2010 Census, the CDP had a total population of 47,698. Pearl City is located along the north shore of Pearl Harbor. ʻAiea borders Pearl City to the east, while Waipahu...
and the H-2
Interstate H-2
Interstate H-2 is an intrastate Interstate Highway located on the island of O‘ahu in Hawai‘i, USA. H-2 is also known as the Veterans Memorial Freeway. Despite the number, this is a north–south interstate—the 'H'-series numbering reflects the order in which routes were funded and built...
interchange to Waipio
Waipio, Hawaii
Waipio is a census-designated place located in the Ewa District of the Island of Oahu in the City & County of Honolulu. In Hawaiian, wai pio means "curved water". As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 11,672.The U.S...
. At the western end of Waipahu is Kunia Road (State Rte. 750) which leads to the Waipahu newer growth areas of Royal Kunia and Village Park north of H-1, and eventuually on up across the central plain to Kunia and Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army Airfield
Wheeler Army Airfield
Wheeler Army Airfield , also known as Wheeler Field and formerly as Wheeler Air Force Base, is a United States Army post located in the City & County of Honolulu and in the Wahiawa District of the Island of O'ahu, Hawaii...
, and Wahiawā. Kunia Road becomes Fort Weaver Road (State Rte. 76) south of Farrington Highway, and goes south through Honouliuli and Ewa Villages to Ewa Beach.
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 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²), of which, 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (2.28%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
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 33,108 people, 7,566 households, and 6,431 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 12,882.8 people per square mile (4,974.0/km²). There were 8,033 housing units at an average density of 3,125.7 per square mile (1,206.8/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 4.73% White, 0.93% African American, 0.14% Native American, 65.77% Asian, 12.31% Pacific Islander, 0.86% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 15.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.09% of the population.
There were 7,566 households out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% 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, 18.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.0% were non-families. 11.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.23 and the average family size was 4.37.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $49,444, and the median income for a family was $51,855. Males had a median income of $28,295 versus $23,818 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 $14,484. About 10.6% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.0% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.
Government and infrastructure
The United States Postal ServiceUnited States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
operates the Waipahu Post Office in Waipahu.
The Hawaii Department of Public Safety
Hawaii Department of Public Safety
The Hawaii Department of Public Safety is a department with in the executive branch of the government of the U.S. state of Hawaii. It is headquartered in Room 400 in the 919 Ala Moana Boulevard building in Honolulu CDP, City and County of Honolulu...
operates the Waiawa Correctional Facility in an area near Waipahu.
Education
The Hawaii Department of Education operates public schools.Waipahu contains two (high) school districts with some students attending Waipahu High School
Waipahu High School
Waipahu High School is located at 94-1211 Farrington Highway in Waipahu on the island of Oahu in the state of Hawaii. Waipahu High School was founded in 1938 under the Session Laws of 1937 and Act 191 of 1938. The first graduates of Waipahu High School were from the class of 1941. The last...
with others attending Pearl City High School
Pearl City High School (Hawaii)
-Basic Information:Pearl City High School And Pearl Grammar School - Taunsa Campus is located in the Waimalu CDP in the City and County of Honolulu in the state of Hawai'i, adjacent to the Pearl City CDP....
.
Elementary schools in the CDP include August Ahrens, Honowai, and Waipahu. Waipahu Intermediate School and Waipahu High School are in the CDP.
Hawaii's Plantation Village
The Hawaii Plantation Village currently serves as an outdoor museum that showcases the lifestyles and experiences of Hawaii's plantation workers.The museum opened its doors on September 20, 1992, displaying original structures and replica homes of the multiethnic groups who came to Hawaii between the mid-1800s and the 1940s to work as plantation laborers.
Guided tours are conducted at the start of each hour, Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 pm.
Admission is as follows:
'Adult' - $13.00
'Senior' (62+ with ID) - $10.00
'Kama'aina' (with ID) - $ 7.00
'Military' (with ID) - $7.00
'Youth' (4-11 years) - $5.00
'Children' (3 and under) – Free
Last updated October 31, 2010
The Hawaii Plantation was featured on popular Syfy show Ghost Hunters in season 7, episode 716 titled “Harvesting Murder”.
The TAPS crew investigated the Portuguese, Japanese and Filipino homes, and the Social Hall of the plantation to resolve any issues regarding paranormal activities that occurred there. Click here to read the full synopsis of the episode
The Hawaii Plantation Village is also renowned for its Halloween attraction “Haunted Plantation” which first opened up in 2006, when Groundup Movement's owner Noa Laporga had the idea to start up a haunted attraction. He approached the Hawai‘i Plantation Village executive director after learning of its legends and stories.
In 2006 they showed it for one night and sold out after 1,000 people. The second year they showed it two nights, which also sold out. The third year they showed it for four nights which sold out. Per night, the attraction sees between 1,500-2,000 people.
In the year 2011, the Haunted Plantation was ranked #13 as the world’s best haunts on tophaunts.com as well as being ranked #6 in the “Top 10 Haunts that Will Scare the Bejezus Out of You in America” in 2010 via Matador Network, the world’s largest independent travel magazine.
Click here for the Official 2011 trailer for the Haunted Plantation
External links
- http://www.hawaiiplantationvillage.org/