| Lahaina, Hawaii | |
|---|---|
| — CDP — | |
| Scenic Lāhainā oceanfront | |
| Location in Maui County and the state of Hawaii | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Hawaii |
| County | Maui |
| Area | |
| • Total | 9.3 sq mi (24.1 km2) |
| • Land | 7.8 sq mi (20.2 km2) |
| • Water | 1.5 sq mi (3.9 km2) |
| Elevation | 3 ft (1 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 11,704 |
| • Density | 1,257.8/sq mi (485.6/km2) |
| Time zone | Hawaii-Aleutian (UTC-10) |
| ZIP codes | 96761, 96767 |
| Area code(s) | 808 |
| FIPS code | 15-42950 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0361678 |
Lāhainā is the largest census-designated place (CDP) 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 2010 census, the CDP had a resident population of 11,704.[1] Lahaina encompasses the coast along Hawaii Route 30 from a tunnel at the south end, through Olawalu up to the CDP of Napili-Honokowai to the north. During the heavy tourist seasons, the population can swell to nearly 40,000 people.
Until permanently moving to Honolulu, Lahaina was the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii. In the 19th century, Lahaina was the center of the global whaling industry with many sailing ships anchored in at its waterfront; today a score of pleasure craft make their home there. Lahaina's Front Street has been ranked one of the "Top Ten Greatest Streets" by the American Planning Association.[2]
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In antiquity Lahaina was the royal capital of Maui Loa, 5th Moi of Maui, after he ceded the royal seat of Hana to the King of Hawaii Island. In Lahaina, the focus of activity is along Front Street, which dates back to the 1820s. It is lined with stores and restaurants, and is often packed with tourists. Banyan Tree Square features an exceptionally large banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) planted on April 24, 1873, by William Owen Smith to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Christian missionaries.[3] It is also the site of the reconstructed ruins of Lahaina Fort, originally built in 1832.
The name Lā hainā means "cruel sun" in the Hawaiian language, describing the sunny dry climate.[4] Lahaina averages only 13 inches (330 mm) of rain per year, much of which occurs from December through February.
Prior to unification of the islands, in 1795, the town was sacked by Kamehameha the Great. Lahaina was the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1820 to 1845.[5] King Kamehameha III, son of Kamehameha I, preferred the town to bustling Honolulu. He built a palace complex on a 1 acre (0.40 ha) island, Mokuʻula, in a fishpond near the center of town.[6] In 1824, at the request of the chiefs, Betsey Stockton started the first mission school open to the common people. It was once an important destination for the 19th century whaling fleet, whose presence at Lahaina frequently led to conflicts with the Christian missionaries living there. On more than one occasion the conflict was so severe that it led to the shelling of Lahaina by whaleships.
Lahaina is located at (20.886122, -156.674602)[7].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.3 square miles (24.1 km2), of which 7.8 square miles (20.2 km2) is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km2), or 16.26%, is water.[8]
As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 9,118 people, 2,599 households, and 1,759 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,584.7 people per square mile (612.3/km²). There were 3,027 housing units at an average density of 526.1 per square mile (203.3/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 26.44% White, 0.34% African American, 0.31% Native American, 43.40% Asian, 9.83% Pacific Islander, 2.18% from other races, and 17.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.06% of the population.
There were 2,599 households out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 18.9% 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 3.50 and the average family size was 3.91.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 108.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.1 males.
The median income household income in 2005 was $61,402 and the average household income for 2005 was $79,876. Males have a median income of $39,583 versus $35,392 for females. The per capita income for the CDP is $29,921. About 6.8% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.3% of those under the age of 18 and 9.2% of those 65 and older.
In 1831 a fort was built for defense, and the remains of its 20-foot (6.1 m) walls and original cannons can still be seen. Also nearby are the historic Pioneer Inn and the Baldwin House.
The Plantation Course at Kapalua hosts the PGA Tour's SBS Championship every January.
The many restaurants along Front Street offer a broad variety of food and entertainment, making the street the hub of West Maui's night life.
Halloween is a major celebration in Lahaina and has become a signature event in the past decades, with crowds averaging between 20,000 to 30,000.[10] The evening starts off closing Front Street to cars so the "Keiki Parade" of children in costumes can begin. Eventually adults in costumes join in, and by dark, the street changes to one big party, which has earned the event the title of "Mardi Gras of the Pacific".[11] In 2008 the celebration had been curtailed due to the objections of a group of cultural advisers who have upheld the permits necessary, as they feel Halloween is an affront to the Hawaiian culture. In the following years the event was poorly attended, as the street was not closed and no costume contest took place. In 2011, citing economic concerns, the city has allowed the event on Front Street the proper permits for the annual signature event to continue.[2]
Every November, Lahaina hosts the Maui Invitational, one of the top early-season tournaments in college basketball.
Lahaina also hosts the finish of the Vic-Maui Yacht Race, the longest offshore sailboat race on the West Coast, which starts in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
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