According to Countryaah, Hawaii County, Hawaii is located on the Big Island of Hawaii and has a population of 200,983 according to 2019 estimates. The county covers an area of 4,028 square miles and is the largest county in the state. The largest city in the county is Hilo which has a population of around 45,000 people. Other cities in the county include Kailua-Kona, Waimea, Pahoa and Honokaa.
Hawaii County has a diverse population with Caucasians making up 23% of the population followed by Native Hawaiians at 22%, Asians at 21%, African Americans at 2% and other races making up 32%. The median age for the county is 40 years old with about 24% of residents being under 18 and 12% being 65 or older.
Hawaii County has an unemployment rate of 5.4% as compared to 3.7% nationally and 5.3% statewide. The median household income for Hawaii County is $61,835 which is higher than both the state average as well as the national average.
Hawaii County offers many attractions such as beaches, hiking trails, waterfalls and more for visitors to enjoy while also serving as an important hub for local businesses and services such as banking, healthcare, retail stores etc. There are also several historic sites located in Hawaii County such as Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site which was built by King Kamehameha I in 1791 to consolidate his rule over all Hawaiian Islands.
History of Hawaii County, Hawaii
Hawaii County, Hawaii has a long and rich history that dates back to the earliest Polynesian settlers who arrived in the area around 1000 AD. The first European contact with the island was made by Captain James Cook in 1778. He named the island “Sandwich Islands” after his friend, John Montague, 4th Earl of Sandwich. After Cook’s death in 1779, other Europeans continued to explore the islands, including French explorer Jean-Francois de Galaup La Perouse and British explorer George Vancouver.
In 1810, King Kamehameha I unified all of the Hawaiian Islands under one rule and established his court at Kailua-Kona on Hawaii Island. He also built Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site which was used to honor his gods and consolidate his rule over all Hawaiian Islands. In 1819, Kamehameha I died and was succeeded by his son Kamehameha II who abolished the ancient kapu system of laws that had been practiced for centuries.
In 1820, Protestant missionaries arrived in Hawaii and began building churches throughout Hawaii County as well as establishing schools to educate Hawaiians about Christianity. In 1848, King Kamehameha III officially declared Hawaii a constitutional monarchy which marked an important step towards democracy for the islands.
In 1893, Queen Liliuokalani was overthrown by a group of American businessmen who established a provisional government with Sanford B Dole as president. In 1898, Hawaii became a U.S territory and in 1959 it became the 50th state of America.
Today, Hawaii County is home to some of the most beautiful natural attractions such as beaches, waterfalls and hiking trails while also serving as an important hub for local businesses and services such as banking, healthcare, retail stores etc. It is also known for its rich culture with hula being one of its most prominent traditions that has been passed down from generation to generation since ancient times.
Major cities and towns in Hawaii County, Hawaii
Hawaii County, Hawaii is made up of many cities and towns, each with their own unique history and culture. The largest city in the county is Hilo, located on the east side of the Big Island. It is home to a variety of attractions including Rainbow Falls State Park, ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, and the Lyman Museum and Mission House. Hilo also boasts an active nightlife scene with a number of bars, restaurants, and clubs scattered throughout downtown.
Kailua-Kona is another major city in Hawaii County located on the west side of the Big Island. It is known for its beautiful beaches including Kailua Beach Park and Kahaluʻu Beach Park which are popular spots for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and other water activities. Kailua-Kona also has plenty of shopping opportunities ranging from local boutiques to upscale stores as well as a variety of restaurants offering everything from traditional Hawaiian cuisine to international dishes.
The town of Waimea is located on the northwest side of the Big Island in Hawaii County. It’s known for its paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) culture which dates back to when King Kamehameha III invited Mexican vaqueros to teach Hawaiians how to ride horses in 1832. Today, Waimea hosts several rodeos throughout the year as well as festivals that celebrate Hawaiian culture such as Merrie Monarch Festival and Aloha Festivals Waimea Town Celebration.
Other cities and towns in Hawaii County include Pahoa, Keaau, Honokaa, Naalehu, Kurtistown, Volcano Village, Captain Cook and Hawi. Pahoa is situated on the east coast of Hawaii Island near Hilo and offers visitors an array of attractions such as Lava Tree State Monument and Kalanihonu Beach Park for swimming or snorkeling activities as well as a variety of shops selling local handicrafts or souvenirs from nearby galleries or art studios. Keaau is located just south of Hilo off Highway 11 near Volcano National Park offering visitors plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking or biking along trails that lead through lush rainforests or up to scenic overlooks like Kaumana Caves State Monument or Kulaniapia Falls Nature Preserve where you can take in views over Mauna Loa volcano’s crater lake caldera below you.
Population in Hawaii County, Hawaii
According to existingcountries.com, Hawaii County, Hawaii is home to a diverse population of over 200,000 people. According to the 2010 census, the population was made up of Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders (27.7%), Asians (25.7%), Whites (22.1%), African Americans (3.9%), and people from other races or multiple races (20.6%). The largest cities in Hawaii County are Hilo and Kailua-Kona, which account for over half of the county’s population.
The majority of residents in Hawaii County are native Hawaiian or part-native Hawaiian, with an estimated 33% of the population identifying as such in 2010. Native Hawaiians tend to have higher poverty rates than other ethnic groups in the county and are disproportionately represented in low-income households; however, they also tend to have higher levels of educational attainment and higher labor force participation rates than other ethnic groups in Hawaii County.
Asians make up the second largest demographic group in Hawaii County with 25.7% of the population identifying as Asian in 2010; this includes Japanese Americans (12%), Filipino Americans (6%), Chinese Americans (3%), Korean Americans (2%) and Hmong Americans (1%). The majority of Asian residents live on Oahu Island but there is a significant Asian presence on the Big Island as well.
Whites make up 22% of Hawaii County’s population, with most coming from mainland United States or Europe. African Americans make up 3% of the county’s population while those from other races or multiple races account for 20%. There is also a small but growing Hispanic/Latino community on Hawaii Island that makes up 4% of its total population; this includes Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans and people from Central America as well as South America who mostly live around Hilo Town.
Hawaii County has a unique mix of cultures that provide a rich cultural history for its residents to enjoy while also offering tourists plenty to explore when visiting this beautiful part of paradise.
