Maui County, Hawaii

Government

Maui County has a quasi-mayor-council form of municipal government. Unlike traditional municipal governments, the county government is established by the state legislature by statute and is not chartered. Executive authority is vested in the mayor, elected by the voters on a non-partisan basis to a four-year term (with a limit of two consecutive full terms). Legislative authority is vested in the nine-member county council. All seats in the county council have residency requirements; however, all voters in Maui County may vote in elections for all nine seats regardless of residence. Members of the county council are elected on a non-partisan basis to two-year terms (with a limit of five consecutive full terms).

The current mayor of Maui County is Alan Arakawa since January 2, 2011. Arakawa had served a previous term as mayor from 2002 to 2006.

Maui County was the only county in the United States won by Dennis Kucinich during his unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic Party nomination to the presidency in 2004.

The Department of Liquor Control is the agency which regulates and enforces state and county laws regarding the manufacture, importation, sale and consumption of intoxicating liquors.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,398 square miles (6,210 km²), of which 1,162 square miles (3,010 km²) is land and 1,237 square miles (3,200 km²) (51.6%) is water. The islands that comprise Maui County correspond to the remnants of the ancient landmass of Maui Nui. The highest point in the county is the peak of Haleakala at 10,012 ft. Haleakala is a shield volcano located on the eastern side of the island of Maui.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

As of the 2000 Census, there were 128,094 people, 43,507 households, and 29,889 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile (43/km²). There were 56,377 housing units at an average density of 49 per square mile (19/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 28.90% White, 1.40% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 33.01% Asian, 10.72% Pacific Islander, 1.36% from other races, and 22.24% from two or more races. 7.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 43,507 households out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.90% were married couples living together, 12.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 21.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.41.

In the county, the population was spread out with 25.50% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 30.90% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 11.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 100.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.20 males.

Top employers

According to the County's 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the county are:

Transportation

Two airports provide scheduled air service to the island of Maui:

Lanai Airport provides service for Lanai. Molokai Airport, also in Maui County, provides service for Molokai.

Major Highways

Unincorporated communities

Sister cities

Maui County currently has 21 sister cities, including: