Kaʻaʻawa, Hawaii

Kaaawa is a small community and census-designated place (CDP) located in the windward district of Koolauloa, City & County of Honolulu on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii. As of the 2000 Census, the total population for Kaaawa was 1,324. In Hawaiian, kaaawa means "the wrasse (fish)". The word always delights visitors who stumble on pronouncing three as in a row. In Hawaiian spelling (Kaaawa), it is seen that each a is pronounced separately and distinctly, set apart by the two okina (i.e., /kaʔaʔaʋa/).

Kaaawa is north of Kāneohe Bay (north of Kaōio Point, also Kalaeokaōio), and the Pacific Ocean shore here is fronted by a broad fringing reef with a narrow, but quite inviting beach (Kanenelu Beach, Kalaeōio Beach Park, and Kaaawa Beach Park). The around-the-island-highway (Kamehameha Highway, State Rte. 83) and the houses and other buildings comprising the town, are confined to a relatively narrow belt along the coast. However, a long valley extends inland. Kaaawa Valley is part of Kualoa Ranch and used for various tourist activities as well as filming. Major films incorporating significant views of the valley include George of the Jungle and Jurassic Park.

The U.S. postal code for Kaaawa is 96730.

Geography

Kaaawa is located at (21.557050, -157.855148). Kaaawa is north from Kualoa and directly southeast of Kahana Bay. The next place beyond Kahana is Punaluu.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town had a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²). 0.6 square miles (1.5 km²) of it was land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) of it was water. The total area was 46.36% water.

Demographics

As of the 2000 Census, there were 1,324 people, 469 households, and 323 families residing in the Ka'a'awa census tract. The population density was 2,250.6 people per square mile (866.4/km²). There were 550 housing units at an average density of 934.9/sq mi (359.9/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 35.88% White, 0.45% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 8.76% Asian, 22.66% Pacific Islander, 1.13% from other races, and 30.74% from two or more races. 8.23% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 469 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size is 3.36.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $54,500, and the median income for a family was $60,156. Males had a median income of $42,500 versus $28,906 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,881. 11.8% of the population and 9.0% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 20.2% of those under the age of 18 and 3.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.