Moving to Hawi, Hawaii

Hawi is a small city located on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is part of the North Kohala district and has a population of about 1,200 people. Geographically, Hawi is situated on the slopes of Mauna Kea and offers stunning views of the ocean and nearby mountains. The climate in Hawi is typically mild with temperatures ranging between 65-85˚F year-round.

Historically, Hawi was founded in 1846 by King Kamehameha III as an agricultural center for sugar cane and taro farming. During World War II, it served as an important supply center for military personnel stationed at nearby Puuwaawaa Ranch. In more recent years, the city has become a popular tourist destination due to its proximity to Hapuna Beach State Park and other natural attractions.

Politically, Hawi is represented by Hawaii County Councilmember Tim Richards and Senator Lorraine Inouye in the state legislature. The city also boasts several local government organizations such as the North Kohala Community Development Plan (NKCD) which works to promote economic development within the region.

Economically, Hawi relies heavily on tourism for its income with most businesses catering to tourists or providing services related to tourism activities such as fishing charters and boat tours. Additionally, there are several small shops selling locally produced crafts or souvenirs made from Hawaiian materials like koa wood or coconut shells.

The city has two schools: Konawaena High School and Konawaena Elementary School which serves students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Both schools offer a variety of academic programs as well as extracurricular activities including sports teams and clubs that focus on Hawaiian culture or environmental issues like sustainability or conservation efforts.

Hawi is home to many interesting landmarks including Puuwaawaa Ranch which was once used by King Kamehameha III as his personal retreat; Kalahikiola Congregational Church which was built in 1855; Mookini Heiau which was constructed around AD 480; Mahukona Beach Park which offers great snorkeling opportunities; and Lapakahi State Historical Park where visitors can explore ancient Hawaiian fishing villages dating back hundreds of years ago.

Population: 938
Males: 477 (50.9%), Females: 461 (49.1%)

Hawaii County

Zip code: 96719

Demographics

Median resident age: 37.7 years
Median household income: $46,406
Median house value: $160,400

Population by Race

Races in Hawi:

• Two or more races (39.4%)
• White Non-Hispanic (19.5%)
• Filipino (14.2%)
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (11.2%)
• Hispanic (10.0%)
• Japanese (8.7%)
• Other Asian (2.8%)
• American Indian (2.2%)
• Chinese (1.3%)
• Other race (0.5%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: Portuguese (6.2%), German (5.7%), English (4.5%), Irish (2.6%), Italian (2.1%), French (1.5%).

Elevation: 590 feet

Land area: 1.2 square miles

Population by Education

Hawi is a census-designated place (CDP) located in the Kohala district of Hawaii County. It is situated on the northern tip of the Big Island and has a population of approximately 1,000 people. The majority of residents are of Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander descent, with smaller numbers of Asian, White, and Hispanic individuals also living in the area. The median age is just over 40 years old, and the median household income is around $50,000. The majority of households are owner-occupied single-family homes or condominiums.

Hawi is an agricultural community that focuses on growing coffee and macadamia nuts. It also has a thriving tourism industry due to its proximity to some of Hawaii’s most popular destinations like Kona and Waikoloa Beach Resort. Residents are very engaged in their community with many organizations such as the Hawi Farmers Market and the Hawi Community Association providing ways for residents to stay connected with each other as well as their local government representatives. Education is also important in Hawi with public schools like Kanu O Ka ‘Aina New Century Public Charter School providing educational opportunities for children from preschool through high school graduation. Additionally, there are several private schools offering alternative educational paths for those wishing to pursue them.

For population 25 years and over in Hawi

• High school or higher: 88.3%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.4%
• Graduate or professional degree: 2.4%
• Unemployed: 3.3%
• Mean travel time to work: 30.7 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Hawi CDP

• Never married: 26.6%
• Now married: 53.9%
• Separated: 1.7%
• Widowed: 7.4%
• Divorced: 10.5%

9.3% Foreign born (7.6% Asia).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Hawi:

• KOHALA HOSPITAL (about 4 miles; KAPAAU, HI)
• NORTH HAWAII COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (about 17 miles; KAMUELA, HI)
• HALE HO’OLA HAMAKUA (about 25 miles; HONOKAA, HI)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Hawi:

• KONA INTL AT KEAHOLE (about 38 miles; KAILUA/KONA, HI; Abbreviation: KOA)
• KAHULUI (about 60 miles; KAHULUI, HI; Abbreviation: OGG)
• HILO INTERNATIONAL (about 67 miles; HILO, HI; Abbreviation: ITO)

Other public-use airports nearest to Hawi:

• UPOLU (about 2 miles; HAWI, HI; Abbreviation: UPP)
• WAIMEA-KOHALA (about 21 miles; KAMUELA, HI; Abbreviation: MUE)
• HANA (about 39 miles; HANA, HI; Abbreviation: HNM)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Hawi:

• UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO (about 63 miles; HILO, HI; Full-time enrollment: 2,434)
• KAPIOLANI COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 154 miles; HONOLULU, HI; Full-time enrollment: 4,131)
• UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA (about 156 miles; HONOLULU, HI; Full-time enrollment: 14,113)
• HAWAII PACIFIC UNIVERSITY (about 159 miles; HONOLULU, HI; Full-time enrollment: 6,186)
• HONOLULU COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 159 miles; HONOLULU, HI; Full-time enrollment: 2,787)
• LEEWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 168 miles; PEARL CITY, HI; Full-time enrollment: 3,511)
• BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY-HAWAII CAMPUS (about 174 miles; LAIE, HI; Full-time enrollment: 2,273)

Private primary/middle school in Hawi:

• KOHALA MISSION SCHOOL (Students: 23; Location: PO BOX 99; Grades: 1 – 8)