Pearl City, Hawaii

History

Early-day Pearl City had an array of rice paddies and fields that were plowed with water buffalo that would haul a two-wheeled cart. In the early 1880s, Pearl City was the final stop for Benjamin Dillingham's Oahu Railway, a mud wagon driven by a four-horse team. Lots for an as-yet-to-exist "Pearl City" went on sale in 1889, after completion of the actual rail line. Near the outskirts of Pearl City, the Remond Grove, an area where people could be entertained with piano, banjo, trumpet, and saxophone performances, was a popular entertainment spot in the early 1900s.

Geography

Pearl City is located at 21°24'30" North, 157°58'1" East (21.408333, -157.966902).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 5.8 square miles (15 km²), of which, 5.0 square miles (13 km²) of it is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²) of it is water. The total area is 14.29% water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 47,698 people, 14,622 households, and 7,288 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 6,215.5 people per square mile (2,401.6/km²). There were 9,181 housing units at an average density of 1,842.2 per square mile (711.8/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 59.57% Asian-Pacific Islander, 17.24% White, 2.71% African American, 0.27% Native American, 1.41% from other races, and 18.81% from two or more races. 7.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 8,922 households out of which 25.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.9% are married couples living together, 12.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 18.3% are non-families. 14.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.17 and the average family size is 3.48.

In the CDP, the population is spread out with 18.8% under the age of 18, 13.7% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females, there are 115.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 117.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP is $62,036, and the median income for a family is $67,246. Males have a median income of $30,712 versus $28,408 for females. The per capita income for the CDP is $21,683. 6.2% of the population and 4.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.7% of those under the age of 18 and 4.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Government and infrastructure

The Honolulu Police Department operates the Pearl City Substation in Pearl City.

The United States Postal Service operates the Pearl City Post Office in Pearl City.

Education

The Hawaii Department of Education operates the Pearl City Complex public schools that include elementary, intermediate, and high schools.

Elementary schools in the Pearl City CDP include Manana, Palisades, Pearl City, and Pearl City Highlands. Momilani and Waiau elementary schools are in the adjacent Waimalu CDP. Highlands Intermediate School is within the Pearl City CDP. Pearl City High School is in Waimalu CDP.

The University of Hawaii–Leeward Community College, a branch of the University of Hawaii system, is located in Pearl City.

Sports and recreation

In 1998, a Pearl City baseball team — Pearl City Little League (District 7) - represented the U.S. and made it to the Little League World Series finals where they lost to the team from Taipei. In 2007, a Pearl City baseball team — Pearl City Little League (District 7) — won the Junior League World Series, after winning the West Region, then defeating the Central Region and Southwest Region champions to become the U.S. champion, and finally defeating the International champion (Asia-Pacific Region), Illam Central LL (Makati City, Philippines), 6-2. The Hawaii Hawks won the 2003 Field Hockey World Cup 10-7.

Notable residents