Maalaea, Hawaii facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Maalaea, Hawaii Māʻalaea
Census-designated place
Location in Maui County and the state of Hawaii
Country	United States
State	Hawaii
County	Maui
Area
• Total	7.49 sq mi (19.39 km2)
• Land	5.16 sq mi (13.35 km2)
• Water	2.33 sq mi (6.04 km2)
Elevation	98 ft (30 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	310
• Density	60.14/sq mi (23.22/km2)
Time zone	UTC-10 (Hawaii-Aleutian)
Area code(s)	808
FIPS code	15-46400
GNIS feature ID	0361945

Mā'alaea (Hawaiian: Māʻalaea) is a small community in Maui County, Hawaii, United States. It is known as a census-designated place (CDP). In 2020, about 310 people lived there.

Mā'alaea is on the southern coast of the land connecting West Maui to the island's Central Valley. It stretches from the mountains to the sea. The area covers about 5.4 square miles of land and 2.3 square miles of ocean. For over a thousand years, Mā'alaea has been an important meeting point. It was a landing spot for Hawaiian leaders and armies. Later, whalers and sailing ships also arrived here. Today, highways follow the old trails that once led to Wailuku, Lahaina, Kīhei, and Wailea. The name Mā'alaea comes from the Hawaiian word ‘alae. This word means the red iron oxide found in the volcanic soil of the region.

Geography of Mā'alaea

Mā'alaea is located at 20°48′34″N 156°29′27″W / 20.80944°N 156.49083°W / 20.80944; -156.49083. The community covers a total area of about 20.1 square kilometers (7.8 square miles). Of this, 14.1 square kilometers (5.4 square miles) is land. The remaining 6.0 square kilometers (2.3 square miles), or about 30%, is water.

Mā'alaea History

Early Life in Mā'alaea

Mā'alaea was once a fishing village in the 15th century. It had a large heiau (a special ceremonial site). There were also petroglyphs (rock carvings), kauhale (dwellings), and ko‘a (fishing shrines). Some of these ancient sites can still be seen on the hillsides above. Kapoli Spring, near the harbor today, was the main source of fresh water for the early people. This was very important in this often dry area.

First Western Visitors

On January 20, 1778, Captain James Cook and his crew were the first Westerners to visit Hawai‘i. After this, more people from other parts of the world came to the islands. These included missionaries, sailors, adventurers, and traders. By the late 1800s, Mā'alaea became a popular place for travelers to Maui. An old map from 1883 shows that Mā'alaea Bay had a wharf, a hotel, a cafe, and a boathouse.

Plantations and New Cultures

After the Hawaiian monarchy changed in 1893, large sugar and pineapple farms were created. Workers from China, Japan, and Portugal came to Hawai‘i to work on these farms. Many of them stayed after their work contracts ended. They helped create the diverse, multicultural society that Hawai‘i has today.

A Fishing Village and General Store

A small fishing village grew in Mā'alaea. In 1910, most of the people living there were Japanese. The Maui Dry Goods Company opened a store in Mā'alaea that same year. By 1918, a local Japanese man named Yosabaru Tsuboi bought the business. He made it bigger by adding a popular fish market. This market sold fish caught by the local fishing boats.

Many of the fishing crews in Hawai‘i were of Japanese background. In Mā'alaea, they carved a statue of Ebisu-Sama. This is a Shinto god who protects fishermen. The statue and its shrine are still in the village today. The Mā'alaea General Store is also still open. It is a famous landmark in Maui and is listed on the National Historic Register.

Maui's First Airport

In 1929, a pilot named Stanley C. Kennedy built Maui's first airport in Mā'alaea. It had a 1,500-foot-long landing field. He started a company called Inter-Island Airways. That year, two Sikorsky planes, which could carry eight passengers each, flew from Honolulu to Maui in just 59 minutes. With flights connecting Maui to O‘ahu, Lāna‘i, and Moloka‘i, Mā'alaea became a busy travel hub once again.

Surfing at Mā'alaea Bay

In the years before World War II, surfers discovered Mā'alaea Bay. They loved its amazing waves. One of the most famous waves is called the "Mā'alaea Freight Train." It is known as one of the fastest waves in the world that people can ride. However, it only appears when the conditions are just right.

Mā'alaea During World War II

During World War II, the U.S. Navy brought many ships to Hawaiian waters. Thousands of Marines were sent to Maui. The Fourth Marine Division used Mā'alaea's mudflats for training exercises. They also had a demolition training camp for underwater teams. This training helped them prepare for battles in places like Iwo Jima and Saipan. Some items from the Marines' training exercises are still underwater off Mā'alaea Bay.

During this time, some Japanese people living in America, including citizens, were sent to special camps on the U.S. mainland. In Mā'alaea, which had many Japanese residents, Keizo Ban and Reverend Masao Arine were among those affected.

Growth of Tourism and Conservation

In the 1950s, Hawai‘i's economy started to change. It moved from farming sugar and pineapple to focusing on tourism. The Hale Kini O Maalaea Polynesian Motel opened in 1956. This was after the Lahaina Pali Tunnel was finished, connecting Maui's Central Valley with Lahaina. As tourism grew, Mā'alaea's small-boat harbor became a popular place. It was used for recreational boats and commercial fishing vessels. In 1968, the Coast Guard began to station its cutter Cape Newagen there. A year later, a Hollywood movie called The Hawaiians was filmed in Mā'alaea.

By the 1980s, there were big plans for Mā'alaea. These included creating a national marine sanctuary for humpback whales. Many proposed projects led to the creation of the Ma‘alaea Community Association (MCA) in 1988. This group worked on many projects that helped the community for 28 years.

More changes came in the 1990s. The Maui Ocean Center, the Pacific Whale Foundation's headquarters, and Mā'alaea Village Shops opened. These additions helped turn the quiet village into a popular tourist spot. In 1992, a law was signed that created the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. A second protected area opened at Mā'alaea's Keālia Pond. This area helps protect endangered animals like the Hawaiian stilt, Hawaiian coot, Hawaiian monk seal, and two types of Hawaiian sea turtles.

In 1994, a new trails program called Nā Ala Hele began restoring the Lahaina Pali Trail. This trail connects Lahaina and Mā'alaea. It goes along slopes that have 18 historic sites, including old rock walls and petroglyphs. The MCA stopped its work in 2016. The Mā'alaea Village Association took its place the next year. This new group aims to protect the environment of the region, from its mountain streams to its coastal waters.

Population of Mā'alaea

2010 Population Data

In 2010, there were 352 people living in Mā'alaea. There were 196 households and 81 families. The population density was about 45 people per square mile. Most residents (78.1%) were White. Other groups included Asian (9.7%) and Pacific Islander (5.4%). About 3.7% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

Most households (51%) had only one person living in them. About 42.3% of households had someone aged 65 or older living alone. The average age of residents was 59 years old. The median income for a household was $73,083.

2020 Population Data

In 2020, the population of Mā'alaea was 310 people. There were 561 housing units. Most residents (220) were White. Other groups included Asian (27) and Pacific Islander (16). About 24 people were of Hispanic or Latino origin.

The median age in 2020 was 63 years old. About 43.5% of the population was 65 or older. This included 28.7% between 65 and 74 years old. About 12.1% of the population were veterans. The median household income was $91,250.

Images for kids

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  Mā‘alaea Ebisu Kotohira Jinsha in Mā‘alaea.

See also

In Spanish: Maalaea para niños