Kahului, Hawaii
Kahului is a census-designated place (CDP) located on the northern coast of Maui Island in Maui County in the US State of Hawaii. Due to the presence of the Kahului Airport, heliport, seaport, shopping centers, warehouses, and schools, as well as other amenities, Kahului is where the majority of Maui's population lives and works. From a distance, Kahului appears to be a real metropolis, in contrast to the majority of the other towns on the island, which appear to be only small neighborhoods. As the most "urban" town in Maui, residents often mention Kahului when they quote, "I'm going into town."
Geography And Climate Of Kahului
Kahului is located along Kahului Bay and is bordered by Wailuku from the west, Waikapu from the southwest, and Spreckelsville from the east. Kahului covers a total area of 41.52 sq. km, divided into 37.26 sq. km of land and 4.26 sq. km of water. Wai’ale Reservoirs and Kanaha Pond comprise a significant portion of the town’s aquatic region. Kahului is 3.2 km east of Wailuku, 4.3 km southwest of Waihee, 6.4 km northeast of Waikapu, and 12.8 km northeast of Maalaea. The main highways in Kahului are Hana Highway in the east, Maui Veterans Highway, Kuiehelani Highway, Puunene Ave in the center, and W Kaahumanu Ave in the east.
According to the Köppen climate classification, Kahului experiences a hot semi-arid climate characterized by extremely hot summers and mild winters. The average yearly temperature is 24.4°C, with August and February recording the highest (26.5°C) and lowest (22.2°C) average temperatures, respectively. On average, Kahului gets 467.4 mm of precipitation yearly, with June reporting the lowest number. The rainy period lasts the entire year, with a dry season lasting from April to October. This area doesn't receive snowfall.
History Of Kahului
Henry Baldwin and Samuel Alexander bought land in Kahului in 1850 to produce sugar cane, and the plantation prospered after a 17-mile irrigation trench was constructed to bring water from Haleakala. Soon after, the men bought more land to construct sugar mills. With so many employments available thanks to the plantation's prosperity, the town developed stores, roads, schools, churches, and railroads to accommodate the growing need for communal and retail resources.
The Kahului harbor and town flourished until 1900, when the bubonic plague broke out in the region. Kahului was destroyed entirely to eliminate the disease-carrying rats that transmitted the plague. The town was quickly restored and firmly established as a vital commercial harbor. Nearly 28,000 people called Kahului home in 1901, most immigrants from China and Japan who worked in the sugar industry. The harbor grew over the following few years and could now handle bigger ships. Today, Kahului Harbor continues to play a significant role in the distribution of agricultural goods. It also welcomes cruise ships from all over the world.
The Population And Economy Of Kahului
As per the latest US Census, Kahului has a population of 28,219 residents, where 49.2% are females and 50.8% are males. Kahului's racial makeup is 53.6% Asian, 11.8% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 10.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10% white (non-Hispanic/Latino), and 0.8% African-American or Black. The remaining are distributed among American Indians, Alaska Natives (AI/AN), and other mixed races. English is spoken by 63.7% of the population. The rest speak Asian and Pacific Islander languages (32.4%), Spanish (2.9%), Indo-European languages (0.7%), and other foreign languages (0.3%). Only 53.2% of the population in Kahului are naturalized U.S. citizens. And veterans make up 5% of Kahului's population, of which 99% are males, and 1% are females.
As per the same Census, the employment rate in Kahului is 62.9%, with a poverty rate of 7.4%. The homeownership rate is 57.8%, where the median gross rent cost is $1,333 per month, with a median household income of $83,238. According to Sperling’s BestPlaces, the unemployment rate in Kahului is 12.2%. In comparison to the US average of 33.5%, future job growth is expected to be 35.6% during the next ten years.
Attractions In Kahului
Kanaha Beach Park
A string of family-friendly beaches to the east of Kahului could rival any in the world. The first of these runs parallel to the airport and is gifted with picturesque views of the untamed West Maui over Kahului Bay. Boardsports like windsurfing and kitesurfing are popular on Kanaha Beach, and the conditions are almost always ideal for surfers, especially at the western end. For everyone else, there is a charming ribbon of pale sand, which is complemented by BBQs, picnic tables, beach volleyball nets, a campground, and other regular park amenities.
Maui Nui Botanical Gardens
There is a botanical garden on the west side of the University of Hawaii Maui College that protects the diverse plant life on the island. There are many kinds introduced from Polynesia, as well as a mixture of native dry forest and coastal plants. These include 20 different taro varieties, 15 different sweet potato variants, and about 40 different forms of sugarcane. The garden employs xeriscaping and other water-saving strategies while instructing visitors how to conserve water in household gardens. A greenhouse, picnic area, and playground are available. The garden also pays local cultural practitioners to show visitors their skills and knowledge.
Maui Arts And Cultural Center (MACC)
In Kahului, the most comprehensive multidisciplinary arts venue debuted in 1994. The Maui Arts & Cultural Center hosts about 1,700 events annually, ranging from high-profile indoor and outdoor concerts to film screenings, dance performances, and art exhibitions. Surprisingly, about a fifth of these is open to the public. Bob Dylan, The Eagles, Jimmy Buffett, and John Prine are just a few of the big names who have performed here.
