According to countryaah, Hawaii County is located in the southeastern part of the Hawaiian Islands and is composed of the Big Island of Hawaii. It is bordered by Maui County to the east, Kalawao County to the northeast, and Honolulu County to the northwest. The county includes a number of islands, including Hawai’i, Maui, Lana’i, Moloka’i, Kaho’olawe and Niihau. The county seat is Hilo.
The total land area of Hawaii County is 4,028 square miles (10,430 km2), making it the largest county in the United States by land area. It has an estimated population of 200,000 people as of 2020. The island’s climate is tropical with abundant rainfall and warm temperatures year-round.
Hawaii County has a diverse geography that ranges from lush rain forests to rugged volcanic landscapes. It contains several national parks such as Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Haleakala National Park that are popular tourist destinations for their spectacular views and unique wildlife. The county also contains several beaches where visitors can go swimming or surfing or just relax in the sun.
The economy of Hawaii County is largely based on tourism with most visitors coming from mainland United States as well as Asian countries such as China and Japan. Other industries include agriculture (mainly coffee), fishing and forestry. Due to its location in a remote part of the Pacific Ocean it has become a popular destination for ecotourism activities such as whale watching and snorkeling trips which help boost its local economy significantly every year.
Hawaii County shares many borders with other counties across its southern border including Maui County to the east; Kalawao County to the north; Honolulu County to the northwest; Kaua’i Counties to both west and south; Hilo Bay on its northern coast; and Puna District on its eastern side which shares a boundary with Kilauea Volcano National Park – one of Hawaii’s most famous landmarks!
Demographics of Hawaii County, Hawaii
Hawaii County is home to a diverse population of approximately 200,000 people. The largest ethnic group in the county is Asian, making up about 30% of the population. The next largest group is Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, which accounts for about 20% of the population. Caucasians make up 17% of the population, followed by African Americans (7%), Hispanics or Latinos (6%), and other races (4%).
The median age in Hawaii County is 42 years old, with a gender ratio of 49% male and 51% female. About 28% of the population lives below the poverty line. The county has a higher-than-average unemployment rate compared to other counties in Hawaii and the United States as a whole.
Hawaii County also has a high percentage of residents with college degrees; over 38% have earned at least an associate degree or higher. Education levels vary by ethnic group; more than half of Native Hawaiians have not completed high school while nearly 60% of Asians have at least some college education or higher.
The most popular industries in Hawaii County are tourism, agriculture (mainly coffee), fishing, forestry, and construction/manufacturing. Tourism is the largest employer with over 35% of residents employed in this industry alone. Other major employers include retail trade (13%), health care and social assistance (12%), educational services (7%) and professional services (5%).
Hawaii County offers its residents an array of cultural attractions including museums, galleries, theatres, festivals and concerts throughout the year. It also has many parks for outdoor recreation such as hiking trails, beaches for swimming or surfing, as well as volcanic sites that offer spectacular views and unique wildlife experiences for visitors to enjoy year-round.
Places of Interest in Hawaii County, Hawaii
Hawaii County is home to many interesting places of interest that draw both locals and visitors alike. The most popular attraction in the county is Kilauea Volcano National Park – one of Hawaii’s most famous landmarks! This park offers visitors the chance to explore active lava fields, walk through a lava tube, and view the volcanic crater from a safe distance. Other popular attractions include Akaka Falls State Park, Rainbow Falls State Park, Waipio Valley Lookout, and the Hilo Bayfront Trails.
Hilo is the county seat of Hawaii County and a great place to explore. Hilo has several museums including the Lyman Mission House Museum, Pacific Tsunami Museum, Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, and Hilo Art Museum. There are also plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants and local markets to check out. For outdoor recreation, Richardson Beach Park is perfect for swimming or snorkeling while Liliuokalani Gardens offers beautiful views of Hilo Bay.
The Hamakua Coast is located on the north side of Hawaii County and features several breathtaking waterfalls such as Akaka Falls State Park, Umauma Falls and Rainbow Falls State Park. Visitors can also take scenic drives along this stretch of coastline or go hiking in Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge which has numerous trails that wind through lush rainforest terrain.
Kona is an important town on the west side of Hawaii County with plenty to see and do such as visiting historic sites like Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park or exploring Kealakekua Bay Marine Sanctuary which is home to an abundance of fish species. The area also has great beaches for swimming or surfing as well as many golf courses for those looking for a relaxing day on the links.
Finally, no visit to Hawaii County would be complete without taking some time out to relax at beautiful Kohala Coast beaches like Mauna Kea Beach or Kauna’oa Bay where visitors can enjoy stunning sunsets over crystal clear waters.
Communities in Hawaii County, Hawaii
Hawaii County, Hawaii is a beautiful and diverse county located on the Big Island’s western coast. The county consists of five districts, each with its own unique communities and attractions.
Hilo is the largest city in Hawaii County and is home to some of the most important cultural sites in Hawaii. It has a rich history dating back to the early 1800s when missionaries first arrived in the area. Today, Hilo is a vibrant city filled with art galleries, museums, shops, restaurants, and plenty of outdoor activities such as swimming at Richardson Beach Park or exploring Liliuokalani Gardens.
The Hamakua Coast is located on the north side of Hawaii County and features several breathtaking waterfalls such as Akaka Falls State Park, Umauma Falls and Rainbow Falls State Park. Visitors can also take scenic drives along this stretch of coastline or go hiking in Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge which has numerous trails that wind through lush rainforest terrain. Small towns like Honokaa and Waimea are popular for their historic sites and small-town charm.
Kona is an important town on the west side of Hawaii County with plenty to see and do such as visiting historic sites like Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park or exploring Kealakekua Bay Marine Sanctuary which is home to an abundance of fish species. The area also has great beaches for swimming or surfing as well as many golf courses for those looking for a relaxing day on the links. There are also several resorts in Kona that offer luxurious accommodations with stunning ocean views.
Finally, no visit to Hawaii County would be complete without taking some time out to relax at beautiful Kohala Coast beaches like Mauna Kea Beach or Kauna’oa Bay where visitors can enjoy stunning sunsets over crystal clear waters. This area is known for its luxury resorts that offer guests access to world-class amenities including spas, golf courses, restaurants, shopping centers and more!
Notable People of Hawaii County, Hawaii
Hawaii County, Hawaii is home to many notable people who have made significant contributions in a variety of fields. From politicians to entertainers, the county has produced some of the most influential people in the world.
The current Governor of Hawaii, David Ige, was born and raised in Hilo and is an alumnus of the University of Hawaii at Hilo. He was elected as Governor in 2014 and has since been a strong advocate for education, healthcare and environmental protection.
Another notable person from Hawaii County is actress Kelly Hu who was born and raised in Honolulu before moving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. She is best known for her roles on television shows such as Nash Bridges, X-Men 2 and Scorpion King.
Athletes like pro surfer John John Florence, Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, basketball player Baron Davis and golfer Michelle Wie have all called Hawaii County home at some point throughout their careers. Florence is well-known for his professional surfing career while Yamaguchi has become an inspiration to young athletes around the world with her Olympic success. Davis is a former NBA All-Star and Wie has won several tournaments on the LPGA Tour including two U.S Women’s Open Championships.
The county also has a rich musical history with artists like Jack Johnson, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, Don Ho and Henry Kapono all having roots here. Johnson is known for his laid back style of acoustic folk music while Kamakawiwo’ole was a ukulele virtuoso who had numerous hits including “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” which became an international sensation after being featured in films like Meet Joe Black and 50 First Dates. Don Ho was a legendary Hawaiian singer who had numerous hits throughout his career including “Tiny Bubbles” which remains one of his most popular songs today. Henry Kapono is another local legend who has written numerous hit songs that capture the spirit of life on the islands with tracks like “Island Style” and “No Woman No Cry” becoming classics around the world over time.
From politicians to athletes to entertainers, there are so many influential people from Hawaii County that it would be impossible to list them all here! Each person has made a unique contribution that will continue to be remembered for years to come!
Bordering States of Hawaii
According to abbreviationfinder, Hawaii is bordered by four states: California, Nevada, Arizona, and the Pacific Ocean. The border between Hawaii and California measures approximately 2,392 miles in total length as it stretches from Hawaii’s northwestern corner near Hilo to its southeastern tip near Honolulu. Additionally, Hawaii shares a lengthy border with Nevada that measures about 1,741 miles in total length. It extends from the westernmost point near Kaanapali Beach to its easternmost point near Kilauea Point.
To the east, Hawaii has a relatively short border with Arizona that measures only 97 miles in length as it runs along Arizona’s western edge from Kauai County to its easternmost point near Oahu County. Additionally, Hawaii also has an extensive coastline along the Pacific Ocean that is about 2,500 miles long as it follows the shoreline from Kure Atoll up to Niihau Island just south of Oahu Island. Finally, Hawaii also has a small border with California that measures only 9 miles in total length as it extends from Honolulu up to Maui Island on the Pacific Ocean.