Kalawao County is a small county located on the northeastern tip of Molokai Island in the state of Hawaii. It covers an area of only 11.3 square miles and is home to a population of around 90 people as of 2019. Kalawao County is one of the least populous counties in the United States and was founded in 1866 as a leper colony for those suffering from Hansen’s Disease, also known as leprosy.
The majority of Kalawao County’s population today consists of Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, with only about 5% being non-Hispanic white people. The racial makeup of this area is 97% Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 1% Asian, 0.7% White, 0.2% African American and 0.1% American Indian or Alaska Native.
In terms of religious affiliation among Kalawao County residents, Christianity makes up about 94%, with other religions such as Buddhism and Islam making up about 1%. In terms of education attainment levels among adults aged 25 years or older living in this area, about 86% have achieved at least a high school diploma or equivalent while around 8% have earned their bachelor’s degree or higher.
The median household income for this area is $47,917 per year with about 16% living below poverty level. Kalawao County has one public school which serves grades K-12 and operates under the auspices of the Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE).
Kalawao County is a unique place with an interesting history and culture that provides its residents with access to modern amenities such as shopping centers and restaurants found throughout its small towns and villages. This makes it an ideal place to live for those looking for a friendly community atmosphere combined with plenty of outdoor recreational activities such as swimming at Halawa Beach Park or exploring nature at Palaau State Park.
History of Kalawao County, Hawaii
Kalawao County is a small county located on the northeastern tip of Molokai Island in the state of Hawaii. It covers an area of only 11.3 square miles and is home to a population of around 90 people as of 2019. Kalawao County was founded in 1866 as a leper colony for those suffering from Hansen’s Disease, also known as leprosy at the time.
The history of Kalawao County began with the arrival of Father Damien DeVeuster in 1873. Father Damien was a Catholic priest who dedicated himself to caring for those suffering from Hansen’s Disease and helped them establish a community on the island, which he named Kalaupapa. This community would become the first settlement in what is now Kalawao County.
At its peak, there were up to 1,200 people living in Kalaupapa and most were infected with Hansen’s Disease and had been exiled from their homes due to fear and stigma associated with it. Despite this, they managed to build a thriving community by establishing schools, churches and businesses within their settlement.
In 1969, the last remaining residents were relocated elsewhere when it was discovered that there was no cure for Hansen’s Disease and that it could not be contained within Kalaupapa any longer. Today, Kalawao County is still home to some of those who chose to remain rather than be forced out by government authorities or succumb to their illness.
Kalawao County remains one of the most isolated places in Hawai’i today due to its remote location on Molokai Island and its status as a National Historic Park since 1980 where access is restricted due to safety concerns related to its past as a leper colony. It has become an important place for pilgrimage for many Hawaiians who visit each year out of respect for those who lived through such difficult circumstances during its early years as well as for more modern travelers seeking an experience unlike any other found elsewhere in Hawai’i or even around the world.
Major cities and towns in Kalawao County, Hawaii
According to AbbreviationFinder, Kalawao County is located on the northeastern tip of Molokai Island in the state of Hawaii, covering an area of only 11.3 square miles. It is home to a population of around 90 people as of 2019, although it has had a much larger population in its past due to its status as a leper colony. The county is now a National Historic Park and access is restricted due to safety concerns related to its past.
The county is composed mostly of rural areas and there are no major cities or towns within it. However, there are several smaller communities which make up Kalawao County. Kalaupapa, which was founded in 1866 as a leper colony for those suffering from Hansen’s Disease, is one such community and was home to up to 1,200 people at its peak before the last remaining residents were relocated elsewhere in 1969 when it was discovered that there was no cure for Hansen’s Disease and that it could not be contained within Kalaupapa any longer.
Another community within Kalawao County is Halawa Valley which is located on the south coast of Molokai Island near the Halawa Bay. It is known for its beautiful landscape featuring lush greenery and scenic waterfalls which make it popular among tourists visiting the island. The valley also contains numerous archaeological sites including heiau (Hawaiian temples) which date back thousands of years before European contact with Hawaii.
Kamakou Preserve makes up another portion of Kalawao County’s land area and contains some of Hawaii’s most unique flora and fauna species found nowhere else on earth due to its high elevation and isolated location from other land masses. It also features numerous hiking trails through dense forests which offer breathtaking views from high vantage points along the way.
The town of Maunaloa can be found along the western coast of Molokai Island near Maunaloa Bay and serves as one of the main entry points for visitors arriving by ferry from Maui or Oahu Islands or by plane at Molokai Airport. This town offers numerous amenities such as shops, restaurants, lodging options, banks, and gas stations as well as other services needed by tourists visiting Kalawao County or those who live in this small but unique Hawaiian county year-round.
Population in Kalawao County, Hawaii
According to maternityetchic.com, Kalawao County, Hawaii is a small county located on the island of Molokai in the state of Hawaii. With an area of only 44 square miles, Kalawao is one of the smallest counties in the United States. The population of Kalawao County is estimated to be around 90 people as of 2019. This figure includes both full-time residents and those who are temporarily living in the county for various reasons such as work or vacation.
The majority of Kalawao County’s population is composed of Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, making up around 70% of the total population. The remaining 30% is made up mostly by Caucasians, Asians, and Hispanics. There are also a small number of African Americans living in the county but they make up less than 1% of the total population.
Due to its remote location and small size, Kalawao County does not have many economic opportunities available for its residents. Many people rely on government assistance programs such as Food Stamps or Social Security benefits to make ends meet. Other sources of income include fishing, farming, and tourism related jobs such as working at local hotels or restaurants or providing tours for visitors to nearby attractions like Halawa Valley and Kamakou Preserve.
The unemployment rate in Kalawao County is higher than average due to its lack of economic opportunities and remote location which makes it difficult for people to find employment elsewhere on Molokai Island or in other parts of Hawaii. Despite this, many people choose to stay because they enjoy living in a rural area with few distractions and appreciate being able to spend time outdoors enjoying nature’s beauty without having to worry about the hustle and bustle that comes with urban life.
Kalawao County offers a unique lifestyle that appeals to those who enjoy living off-the-grid while still being close enough to civilization so that one can easily access amenities such as grocery stores or medical facilities when needed. The tight-knit community provides a sense of security while also allowing its residents plenty of freedom from everyday stresses associated with larger cities or towns across Hawaii – making it an ideal place for those looking for peace and quiet away from it all.