Kualapuu, Hawaii Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

by btobers · Published June 10, 2019 · Updated September 12, 2024

Kualapuu is a small community located on the island of Molokai, Hawaii. It has a population of approximately 1,500 people, most of whom are Native Hawaiian. The geography of Kualapuu is mostly rural and consists mainly of farmland and ranchland. The area is mostly flat with some rolling hills in the northern part. The climate in Kualapuu is tropical, with temperatures ranging from 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit year round.

The history of Kualapuu dates back to the early 1800s when it was settled by ancient Hawaiians who built stone walls and fishponds in the area. In 1848, the first sugar plantation was established in Kualapuu and by 1876 there were 30 sugar plantations operating in the area. In recent years, many of these plantations have been replaced by pineapple farms as pineapple production has become more popular throughout Hawaii.

Kualapuu has been an independent political entity since 1848 when it was established as an ahupuaa (a traditional Hawaiian land division). It is currently governed by a mayor and a council made up of five elected representatives who serve four year terms. There are also two school districts serving the community: Kualapuu Public Charter School and Kalamaula Elementary School. Both schools offer classes from kindergarten through grade 12 with an emphasis on Hawaiian culture and language education.

The economy in Kualapuu is largely based on agriculture with pineapple being the primary crop grown here. Other crops include taro, bananas, papayas, mangoes, guavas, limes, oranges and coffee beans which are all exported to other parts of Hawaii or mainland US markets. Additionally, tourism has become increasingly important for local businesses due to its proximity to Molokai’s beaches and other attractions such as Halawa Valley and Papohaku Beach Park which are popular among visitors from around the world.

Kualapuu also features several landmarks that make it unique including Puu O Hoku Ranch (the largest privately-owned ranch in Hawaii), Moomomi Beach (one of only two white sand beaches on Molokai), Halawa Valley (home to some ancient Hawaiian archaeological sites) and Papohaku Beach Park (the largest beach park on Molokai). These landmarks attract tourists from all over the world who come to experience their beauty firsthand or even participate in activities such as horseback riding or hiking along one of its trails for an unforgettable experience!

Population: 1,936
Males: 973 (50.3%), Females: 963 (49.7%)

Maui County

Zip code: 96757

Demographics

Median resident age: 33.6 years
Median household income: $37,422
Median house value: $125,400

Population by Race

Races in Kualapuu:

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (43.5%)
Two or more races (31.2%)
Filipino (10.8%)
White Non-Hispanic (7.6%)
Hispanic (4.8%)
Japanese (4.2%)
American Indian (2.3%)
Other Asian (1.0%)
Chinese (0.7%)

Ancestries: Portuguese (2.4%), English (2.2%), Irish (2.2%), German (1.7%), French (1.3%).

Elevation: 878 feet

Land area: 30.5 square miles

Map of Kualapuu, HI

Population by Education

Kualapuu, Hawaii is a small rural town located in the island of Molokai. It has a population of approximately 2,500 people and is known for its close-knit community and traditional Hawaiian culture. The majority of the population are Native Hawaiians and the town is home to many local businesses. The cost of living in Kualapuu is relatively low compared to other parts of Hawaii, as it is largely an agricultural community. Groceries, housing costs and utilities are all much lower than in more urban areas of Hawaii. The median home price in Kualapuu is about $200,000 and rental prices for a one-bedroom apartment average around $1,000 per month. There are a few restaurants in town that offer local fare at reasonable prices, as well as some small shops selling souvenirs and clothes. Healthcare services are limited to a few local doctors and one clinic that provide basic medical care for residents. There are no hospitals or pharmacies nearby so residents must travel to neighboring towns for these services. Additionally, there is no public transportation system available so most residents rely on their own vehicles or walking/biking to get around town.

For population 25 years and over in Kualapuu

High school or higher: 74.0%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.4%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.2%
Unemployed: 12.0%
Mean travel time to work: 19.0 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Kualapuu CDP

Never married: 28.9%
Now married: 56.8%
Separated: 1.6%
Widowed: 7.4%
Divorced: 5.4%

10.1% Foreign born (9.5% Asia).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Kualapuu:

MOLOKAI GENERAL HOSPITAL (about 8 miles; KAUNAKAKAI, HI)
LANAI COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (about 26 miles; LANAI CITY, HI)
MAUI MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER (about 44 miles; WAILUKU, HI)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Kualapuu:

MOLOKAI (about 2 miles; KAUNAKAKAI, HI; Abbreviation: MKK)
LANAI (about 28 miles; LANAI CITY, HI; Abbreviation: LNY)
KAPALUA (about 32 miles; LAHAINA, HI; Abbreviation: JHM)

Other public-use airports nearest to Kualapuu:

KALAUPAPA (about 8 miles; KALAUPAPA, HI; Abbreviation: LUP)
KAHULUI (about 49 miles; KAHULUI, HI; Abbreviation: OGG)
HONOLULU INTL (about 60 miles; HONOLULU, HI; Abbreviation: HNL)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Kualapuu:

KAPIOLANI COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 52 miles; HONOLULU, HI; Full-time enrollment: 4,131)
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA (about 54 miles; HONOLULU, HI; Full-time enrollment: 14,113)
HAWAII PACIFIC UNIVERSITY (about 56 miles; HONOLULU, HI; Full-time enrollment: 6,186)
HONOLULU COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 57 miles; HONOLULU, HI; Full-time enrollment: 2,787)
LEEWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 65 miles; PEARL CITY, HI; Full-time enrollment: 3,511)
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY-HAWAII CAMPUS (about 69 miles; LAIE, HI; Full-time enrollment: 2,273)
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO (about 169 miles; HILO, HI; Full-time enrollment: 2,434)

Public primary/middle school in Kualapuu:

KUALAPUU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 352; Location: 260 FARRINGTON HIGHWAY; Grades: KG – 06)