Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Kalawao County, Hawaii

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Largest community
  
Kalaupapa

Area
  
134.7 km²

Population
  
90 (2013)

Congressional district
  
2nd

Founded
  
1905

County seat
  
Kalaupapa

Kalawao County, Hawaii wwwhawaiihighwayscomkalawaocountynewestwarni

Time zone
  
Hawaii-Aleutian: UTC-10

Points of interest
  
Kalaupapa Leprosy Settlement and National Historical Park

Cities
  
Kalaupapa, Kalawao, Hawaii

Rivers
  
Waikolu Stream, Waihāanau Stream, Wai‘ale‘ia Stream

Kalawao County is a county located in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The county encompasses the Kalaupapa or Makanalua Peninsula, on the north coast of the island of Molokaʻi. The small peninsula of Kalaupapa is isolated from the rest of Molokaʻi by sea cliffs over a quarter-mile high—the only land access is a mule trail. As of the 2010 census, the population was 90, making it the least-populous county in Hawaii and the second least populous county in the United States.

Contents

Map of Kalawao County, HI, USA

Because of the small population, Kalawao County does not have the functions of other Hawaii counties. It is a judicial district of Maui County, which includes the rest of the island of Molokaʻi. The county has no elected government. Developed and used from 1866 to 1969 for settlements for treatment of quarantined persons with leprosy, it is administered by the Hawaii Department of Health. The only county statutes that apply to Kalawao County directly are those on matters of health.

Kalawao County is included in the Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Overview

Kalawao County is independent of the rest of Molokaʻi, which is included as part of Maui County.

The county encompasses the Kalaupapa Settlement where the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, the Republic of Hawaiʻi, the territory, and the state once exiled persons suffering from leprosy (Hansen's disease) from 1866 to 1969. The quarantine policy was lifted after effective antibiotic treatments were developed that could be administered on an outpatient basis and patients could be rendered non-contagious. However, many of the resident patients chose to remain, as they believed their disfigurements from the illness would make reintegration into society impossible, and the state promised that they could live there for the rest of their lives. No new patients, or other permanent residents, are admitted. Visitors are permitted only as part of officially sanctioned tours. State law prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from visiting or living there, although exceptions have been made for children seeing their relatives. The Kalaupapa National Historical Park has been established to preserve the history and environment of the county. It is coterminous with the boundaries of Kalawao County.

At the time of the 2010 census, Kalawao County had a population of 90, making its population the second smallest of any county in the United States. Only Loving County, Texas had a smaller population. According to a 2015 census esimate, Kalawao County is now the least-populated county in the United States.

Kalawao is part of the First Judicial Circuit, which includes the entire island of Oahu. For the purpose of notarization, the designated venue for the First Judicial Circuit is "State of Hawaii, City and County of Honolulu."

Government

Kalawao County lacks a local, county government. Instead, Kalawao County is administered by the Hawaii Department of Health because of the history of the settlement and current patients living there. Under Hawaiian state law, the Director of the Hawaii Department of Health, who is appointed by the Governor, also serves as the Mayor of Kalawao County. The Mayor holds executive powers within the county; the mayor also appoints a county sheriff, who is selected from local residents.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 53 square miles (140 km2), of which 12 square miles (31 km2) is land and 41 square miles (110 km2) (77.3%) is water. By land area, it is the smallest county in the United States.

Kalaupapa Peninsula

Kalaupapa Peninsula contains the county's only settlement, Kalaupapa. The Kalaupapa Peninsula developed from lava that erupted from the ocean floor near Kauhako Crater and spread outward, forming a low shield volcano. This was the most recent volcanic episode on the island and of the larger East Molokaʻi shield volcano, occurring after the formation of the cliffs by erosion. Today, the dormant crater contains a small lake more than 800 feet (240 m) deep.

Subdivisions

Traditionally, the area of Kalawao County has been composed of four ahupuaʻa. The ahupuaʻa are listed below, from west to east:

Kalaupapa ahupuaʻa is located on the west side of Kalaupapa peninsula, and includes a section of Molokaʻi's coast further west. Makanalua ahupuaʻa is a strip of land in the center of the peninsula that runs to its northern tip. Kalaupapa Airport is located in the north of Makanalua ahupuaʻa. Kalawao ahupuaʻa includes the eastern coast of Kalaupapa peninsula and Waialeia Valley to the southeast. Further southeast is virtually uninhabited Waikolu ahupuaʻa in the namesake valley.

Adjacent county

  • Maui County, Hawaii—south
  • Demographics

    As of the census of 2000, there were 147 people, 115 households, and 21 families residing in the county. The population density was 11 people per square mile (4/km²). There were 172 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 25.85% White, 17.01% Asian, 48.30% Pacific Islander, 2.72% from other races, and 6.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.08% of the population.

    There were 115 households out of which 1.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 16.50% were married couples living together, 2.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 80.90% were non-families. 79.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 31.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.28 and the average family size was 2.27.

    In the county, the population was spread out with 2.00% under the age of 18, 1.40% from 18 to 24, 18.40% from 25 to 44, 46.30% from 45 to 64, and 32.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 59 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.80 males.

    The results of the censuses of population since 1900 shows the decline of population:

    The annual population estimates since the last census of population 2000 (as of July 1 of each year) show a further decline in population:

    Transportation

    The only access to Kalawao County is by air, or by a steep mule trail which descends 1,600 feet from topside Molokaʻi. Kalaupapa Airport, which is located within the county, has scheduled air service to Molokaʻi Airport and to Honolulu Airport.

    Freight is delivered to the county once a year, usually in July, by barge to the jetty at Kalaupapa.

    References

    Kalawao County, Hawaii Wikipedia