Maui County, Hawaii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maui County
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|||
|
|||
Location within the U.S. state of Hawaii
|
|||
 Hawaii's location within the U.S. |
|||
| Country |  United States |
||
| State |  Hawaii |
||
| Founded | 1905 | ||
| Seat | Wailuku | ||
| Largest community | Kahului | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 2,398 sq mi (6,210 km2) | ||
| • Land | 1,162 sq mi (3,010 km2) | ||
| • Water | 1,237 sq mi (3,200 km2) 51.6%% | ||
| Population
(2020)
|
|||
| • Total | 164,754 | ||
| • Estimate
(2023)
|
164,183 | ||
| • Density | 133/sq mi (51/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−10 (Hawaii–Aleutian) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | HADT | ||
| Congressional district | 2nd | ||
Maui County (which in Hawaiian is called Kalana ʻo Maui) is a special area in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It's like a big district that includes several islands. These islands are Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi (but not a small part of Molokaʻi called Kalawao County), Kahoʻolawe, and Molokini. Kahoʻolawe and Molokini are special because no one lives on them.
In 2023, about 164,183 people lived in Maui County. The main town where the county government is located, also known as the county seat, is Wailuku. Maui County is also part of a larger area that includes Kahului, Wailuku, and Lahaina.
Contents
What is Maui County Like?
Maui County is made up of several islands in Hawaii. It covers a total area of about 2,398 square miles. A little less than half of this area (1,162 square miles) is land, and more than half (1,237 square miles) is water. The islands you see today are actually what's left of a very old, huge landmass called Maui Nui.
The highest point in Maui County is the top of Haleakalā. This is a giant shield volcano on the eastern side of Maui island. It stands incredibly tall at 10,023 feet (3,055 meters) above sea level!
Neighboring Counties
Maui County shares borders with a few other counties in Hawaii:
- Hawaiʻi County, Hawaii is to the southeast.
- Kalawao County, Hawaii is to the north.
- Honolulu County, Hawaii is to the northwest.
Special Protected Areas
Maui County is home to some important protected areas that help keep nature safe:
- Haleakalā National Park: This park protects the amazing Haleakalā volcano and its unique environment.
- Kakahaiʻa National Wildlife Refuge: A safe place for wildlife.
- Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge: Another refuge for animals and plants.
- Kalaupapa National Historical Park: This park has a lot of history and natural beauty.
Who Lives in Maui County?
The number of people living in Maui County has changed a lot over the years. Here's how the population has grown:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 26,743 | — | |
| 1910 | 29,762 | 11.3% | |
| 1920 | 37,385 | 25.6% | |
| 1930 | 55,541 | 48.6% | |
| 1940 | 55,534 | 0.0% | |
| 1950 | 48,179 | −13.2% | |
| 1960 | 42,576 | −11.6% | |
| 1970 | 45,984 | 8.0% | |
| 1980 | 70,847 | 54.1% | |
| 1990 | 100,374 | 41.7% | |
| 2000 | 128,094 | 27.6% | |
| 2010 | 154,834 | 20.9% | |
| 2020 | 164,754 | 6.4% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 164,183 | 6.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2018 |
|||
In 2000, there were 128,094 people living in Maui County. The population was quite mixed, with many different backgrounds. About 33% of the people were of Asian descent, and 28.9% were White. Many people also identified as being from two or more races (22.24%) or Pacific Islander (10.72%).
The average age of people in Maui County in 2000 was 37 years old. About 25.5% of the population was under 18 years old, showing that many families with children live there.
Religious Diversity
Maui County is known for having a wide variety of religions. A study in 2020 found that it's one of the most religiously diverse counties in the United States. This means people from many different religious backgrounds live and practice their beliefs there.
What are the Main Jobs in Maui County?
Many people work in Maui County. The biggest employers include government jobs and the tourism industry. Here are some of the top employers:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | State of Hawaii | 5,030 |
| 2 | Maui County | 2,436 |
| 3 | Grand Wailea Resort & Spa | 1,400 |
| 4 | Ritz-Carlton-Kapalua | 1,000 |
| 5 | United States Federal Government | 900 |
| 6 | Maui Memorial Medical Center | 800 |
| Four Seasons Resort Maui | 800 | |
| 7 | Fairmont Kea Lani | 700 |
| Four Seasons Lānaʻi | 700 | |
| Westin Maui Resort & Spa | 700 | |
| 8 | Kea Lani Maui Restaurant | 600 |
| 9 | Hale Makua Health Service | 500 |
| Kaanapali Beach Club | 500 | |
| Montage Kapalua Bay | 500 | |
| Walmart | 500 | |
| Royal Lahaina Resort | 500 | |
| 10 | Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott | 420 |
How Do People Get Around?
Maui County has several ways for people to travel, especially by air.
Airports
There are three airports on the island of Maui:
- Hana Airport serves the eastern part of Maui.
- Kahului Airport is in central Maui and is the busiest airport on the island.
- Kapalua Airport serves western Maui.
The smaller islands in Maui County also have their own airports:
- Lānaʻi Airport serves the island of Lānaʻi.
- Molokai Airport serves the island of Molokaʻi.
Main Roads
Many highways connect different parts of Maui County. These roads help people travel between towns and attractions. Some of the main highways include:
Route 30
Route 31
Route 32
Route 36
Route 37
Route 44
Route 305
Route 310
Route 311
Route 320
Route 330
Route 340
Route 377
Route 378
Route 380
Route 440
Route 450
Route 460
Route 465
Route 470
Route 480
Route 3000
Towns and Villages
Maui County has many different communities, from small villages to larger towns.
Census-designated places
These are areas that are like towns but don't have their own local government:
Unincorporated communities
These are smaller communities that are not officially part of a city or town:
Education
Public schools in Maui County are managed by the Hawaii Department of Education.
Sister Cities Around the World
Maui County has "sister city" relationships with many places around the world. This means they share cultural ties and friendly connections.
American Samoa
Arequipa, Peru
Bacarra, Philippines- Badoc, Philippines
- Cabugao, Philippines
Easter Island, Chile
Embo, Scotland, United Kingdom
Fukuyama, Japan
Funchal, Portugal
Goyang, South Korea- Hachijō, Japan
- Manila, Philippines
Pingtung, Taiwan- Puerto Princesa, Philippines
- Quezon City, Philippines
Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands- San Juan, Philippines
- Santa, Philippines
Sanya, China- São Miguel Island, Portugal
- Sarrat, Philippines
- Zambales, Philippines
