Puʻunene, Hawaii facts for kids
Puʻunēnē (which is pronounced Pu-oo-NEH-neh) is a small community in the middle of Maui, Hawaii, United States. It's close to Kahului and has about 50 people living there.
Even though the land is quite flat, the name Puʻunēnē means "goose hill" in the Hawaiian language. This name comes from the nēnē, which is the Hawaiian goose. The nēnē is special because it's only found in Hawaii, and it's also the state bird!
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History of Puʻunēnē
For more than 100 years, the main business in Puʻunēnē was growing and processing sugarcane. However, sugarcane production stopped in 2016.
In 2019, something new started. A company called Mahi Pono planted a field of potatoes where the sugarcane used to grow. This first potato field was about 40 acres big. It was the beginning of a plan to use these empty lands to grow more food for people living in Hawaii.
Places to Visit in Puʻunēnē
Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum
The Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum is a cool place to learn about Hawaii's past. It's located in what used to be the home of the sugar mill's boss. The museum's goal is to share the story of Hawaii's sugar industry. It also shows what life was like for the many different groups of people who worked on the sugar plantations.
Puʻunēnē School
Another important place in Puʻunēnē is the Puʻunēnē School. This school is so old and special that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized for its historical importance.
Old Airport and Raceway
About 3 miles south of Puʻunēnē, there used to be a Naval Air Station. This was a military airport that operated from 1940 to 1947. Later, it became known as Puʻunēnē Airport. It was the second airport on Maui and helped Hawaiian Airlines find a good place to land planes.
Today, an old runway from that airport is used as a drag strip. This is where people race cars at high speeds at the Maui Raceway Park.
Puʻunēnē's ZIP code is 96784. The old sugar mill is located just east of Mokulele Highway, which is Hawaii Route 311.
Images for kids
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The Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum, which used to be the manager's house for the Puʻunēnē Mill.
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A wide view of the Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company Mill.
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The Puʻunēnē Congregational Church, built in 1910. It was the first Japanese Christian church on Maui.
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An aerial view of Puʻunēnē from the south. You can see the old airstrip, which is now the dragstrip at Maui Raceway Park.
See also
In Spanish: Puunene (Hawái) para niños
