Kula, Hawaii facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kula, Hawaii
Census-designated place
Kula, Hawaii Location in Hawaii
Country	United States
State	Hawaii
County	Maui
Area
• Total	34.54 sq mi (89.5 km2)
• Land	34.54 sq mi (89.5 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	2,360 ft (720 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	6,942
• Density	201.0/sq mi (77.6/km2)
Time zone	UTC−10 (Hawaii–Aleutian)
ZIP code	96790
FIPS code	15-41600
GNIS feature ID	2583421

Kula is a special area, or district, on the island of Maui in Hawaii. It's also known as a census-designated place (CDP). Kula stretches across the western side of Haleakalā, a large volcano. Most homes are located high up on the slopes, between about 1,600 and 3,600 feet (500 to 1,100 meters) above sea level.

This area is different from the hotter, busier beaches. In 2020, about 6,942 people lived in the Kula CDP. The larger Kula area, which includes places like Keokea and the coastal towns of Wailea and Makena, had a population of 12,864.

Discovering Kula, Hawaii

An old map showing the Kula district in Maui

Kula is located around 20°47'32" N, 156°19'37" W. It generally goes from Haleakala Highway in the north down to Keokea in the south. This is a distance of about 16 miles (26 kilometers).

The word Kula means "dry, open country" in the Hawaiian language.

Kula is one of Maui's 12 original "foundation" districts from ancient Hawaii, called moku. It's the biggest district on the island. It stretches from the dry coast all the way up to the high, wet pasture lands. These lands are home to three big ranches: Haleakala, Erewhon, and Ulupalakua. Kula also extends sideways from Keokea to near Makawao.

In the areas away from the moist trade winds, called the "rain shadow" of Haleakala, the lower part of Maui is very dry. Not many crops can grow here naturally. This dry area has many kiawe trees up to about 1,000 feet (300 meters) high.

Higher up the hillsides, especially along Waipoli and Poli Poli Roads, there are large open areas perfect for growing vegetables and fruits. The mild weather often allows farmers to harvest crops three or four times a year.

Hawaii's towns don't have specific boundaries like "city limits." This is because when the government was first set up in 1906, it only created state and county levels.

Upper Kula: High Up on the Slopes

The winding Haleakala Highway helps define the northern edge of Upper Kula. This area is usually green with pastures and groves of silver eucalyptus trees. In late spring, you can see beautiful blue jacaranda trees.

Upper Kula is known for its quiet, rural feel. There are not many shops or businesses here, except for the Kula Botanical Garden and Aliʻi Kula Lavender Farm. Farmers here grow many vegetables and flowers. They use the area's special mix of open space, good soil, moist clouds, and filtered sunlight.

Many new homes are being built in Upper Kula. People enjoy the mild weather and the amazing views of both sides of the island below.

In Keokea, you'll find the Kula Hospital. It was first built in 1909 to treat tuberculosis. Today, it's a hospital that helps the local community.

The southern part of Kula used to have a large Chinese community of over 700 workers and farmers. While the area is now more mixed, Keokea still has a couple of Chinese family-owned stores, a gas station, and a coffee shop.

About a mile past Keokea, at 2,400 feet (730 meters) elevation, there's a county park dedicated to Sun Yat-sen. He was called the "father of modern China." He grew up in this area in the late 1800s with his brother. He led the revolution that ended China's last dynasty and created the Republic of China in 1912.

People who live near the coast often visit Upper Kula to enjoy the cooler temperatures. Sometimes, in winter, it's cool enough to need a fireplace! A popular saying is "It's cooler in Kula."

Lower Kula: Farming and History

Lower Kula is located between about 1,200 and 2,800 feet (365 and 850 meters) high. It's on the western side of Haleakalā, the dormant volcano that shapes the island's landscape.

Along the old Lower Kula Road, communities like Pulehu, Waiakoa, Omaopio, and Keokea have unique histories. In the late 1800s, Portuguese and Chinese immigrants, who had worked on sugarcane plantations, moved to this area. Later, Japanese farmers also settled here because of the rich soil.

These farmers have been growing vegetables ever since. During the California gold rush, farmers in Kula shipped so many potatoes that the area was nicknamed "Nu Kaleponi," which means "New California" in Hawaiian.

This farming tradition continues today. Kula is famous for its onions, lettuce, potatoes, jicama, tomatoes, carrots, cauliflower, and cabbage. It's also a major source of cut flowers for Hawaii. Most of Hawaii's proteas and almost all the carnations used in leis come from Kula.

Lower Kula includes the areas around Lower Kula Road. This was the main county road before Kula Highway was finished in 1964. The old road winds and crosses the newer highway many times.

Even today, there are few businesses along the main highway. But the old road has many places that serve rural communities, including historic churches. The Holy Ghost Catholic Church has a unique octagonal (eight-sided) shape and a beautiful hand-carved altar. Its tower is a landmark on the slopes of Haleakala. Portuguese immigrants built it in 1894.

In recent years, the beautiful views and cooler climate of Lower Kula have attracted new residents. Farmland is sometimes divided into "gentleman estates" with large homes. Areas around the old Lower Kula Road are becoming more crowded.

A big challenge for Kula is the lack of water. Water is very important for the area's farms and future growth. The local community plan prioritizes water for agriculture and the Hawaiian Homelands project.

Kula's Climate: Cool and Unique Weather

Kula has many different small climates because of its elevation, the "rain shadow" effect, and the shape of the land. Most of the western slopes of East Maui are dry or semi-desert. This is because the trade winds usually come from the northeast and east, and Kula is in their "shadow," meaning it gets less rain.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Kula is the coolest place in Hawaii. It has the lowest average yearly temperatures. At higher elevations and at night, especially in winter, temperatures can drop into the 40s or even high 30s (°F). Frost is very rare, except much higher up on Haleakala (above 7,000 feet).

There's a special weather pattern called the "Maui vortex." This happens when the trade winds go around the northwest side of Haleakala (over Pukalani). They blow south down Maui's central valley, then circle back up over Kihei. This often brings a "lei of clouds" over Kula late most mornings. Around sunset, the winds blowing down from the volcano's summit make these clouds disappear.

Kula has a warm summer Mediterranean Climate (Köppen climate classification Csb).

Land Use and Agriculture in Kula

Kula has a long history of farming and ranching. The ranches are located on the lands above the homes. The town of Makawao, which means "edge of the forest," is known for its paniolo (cowboy) feel because of this ranching activity.

The famous Maui onion mostly grows in the lower parts of Kula. Kula is also known for its persimmons, which are ready to pick in the fall. Many of these are found in the Pulehuiki area. Other crops grown in Kula include lettuce, cabbage, and different herbs. Kula is also well-known for the many types of protea flowers grown for sale.

Schools in Kula

The Hawaii Department of Education runs the public schools in Kula. Kula Elementary School is located here. It opened in September 1964, combining students from the older Kealahou, Keokea, Makena, and Ulupalakua schools. Kalama Intermediate School is the middle school for the area.

Famous People from Kula

Some well-known people have lived in Kula:

• Jeff Cotton, a guitarist
• Mick Fleetwood, a musician and co-founder of the band Fleetwood Mac
• Wade Robson, an Australian dancer and choreographer
• Hannibal Tavares, who was the Mayor of Maui from 1979 to 1991
• Sun Yat-Sen, who helped found and became the first president of the Republic of China
• Oprah Winfrey, a famous American talk show host, TV producer, actress, and author

Places to Visit in Kula

• Enchanting Floral Gardens of Kula, Maui
• Holy Ghost Catholic Church (Kula, Hawaii)

See also

In Spanish: Kula (Hawái) para niños