Honoka'a, Hawai'i

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Honokaʻa is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hawaiʻi County, Hawaiʻi, United States.

The population was 2,233 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 People
5 Culture
6 School
7 External links

[edit] Geography

Honokaʻa is located at 20°4′39″N, 155°27′51″W (20.077617, -155.464074).^GR1

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.3 km² (1.3 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 2,233 people, 761 households, and 563 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 673.6/km² (1,739.5/mi²). There were 835 housing units at an average density of 251.9/km² (650.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 25.03% White, 0.09% African American, 0.04% Native American, 42.86% Asian, 3.94% Pacific Islander, 1.03% from other races, and 27.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.63% of the population.

There were 761 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.37.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $41,964, and the median income for a family was $45,962. Males had a median income of $28,359 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $17,226. About 6.0% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

Honokaʻa's economy was based primarily on the sugar production of The Hāmākua Sugar Company from 1873 to 1994 when Hawaiian sugar grew out of demand. With the closing of the Honokaʻa sugar production, the economy has been in decline. However, Honokaʻa has remained afloat without being hit too hard by the economic downturn.

The Big Island's Hāmākua Coast was the classic plantation community

[edit] People

Honokaʻa is the home of the State of Hawaiʻi's Fourth Governor, John D. Waihee III, who served from December 2, 1986 to December 2, 1994. Waihee is the first Native Hawaiian to hold that office of any of the United States.

[edit] Culture

Honokaʻa boasts a quaint and pleasant historic appeal about its downtown district. In 1930, The Honokaʻa People's Theatre was built on Māmane Street by the Tanimoto family. Since 1993, the theater has hosted the Hāmākua Music Festival every Fall. The festival has hosted a number of renowned jazz, classical, and Hawaiian folk musicians including Ray Brown, Gene Harris, James Moody, Ken Peplowski, Howard Alden, Eric Marienthal, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Hubert Laws, Kenny Burrell, and many others. It has also contributed to the economy by bringing some tourism to the town since the Hāmākua Sugar Company discontinued the production of sugar in and around Honokaʻa in 1994.

Ranching, along with nascent diversified agriculture, is the primary industry in Honokaʻa and the Hamakua District. Honokaʻa now boasts a Saturday farmers' market, held on Māmane Street, and nearby, the Andrade Meat Market, featuring locally raised and grass fed beef.

While ranching and rodeos may seem idiosyncratic to some visitors, ranching in Hawaiʻi actually boasts a longer tradition than the United States mainland. This tradition is celebrated annually on Western Weekend, which in 2007 is from May 25 to May 28, and includes children's activities, Country Western Bands, a block party with Paniolo barbecue, a rodeo, and the ribald Saloon Girl Contest!

[edit] School

Honokaʻa is home to the Honokaʻa Dragons. There is the Honokaʻa Elementary School then Honokaʻa Middle School, and finally the High School. They are also known for their basketball team, both boys and girls. As a matter of fact, this past year the Wahine Dragons Varsity team placed 3rd in the HHSAA Basketball tournament.