Maui County, Hawaii Explained

County:Maui County
State:Hawaii
Ex Image:Panorama Haleakala.jpg
Seal:Maui County hi seal.jpg
Flag:File:Flag of Maui County, Hawaii.svg
Founded Year:1905
Seat Wl:Wailuku
Largest City Wl:Kahului
City Type:community
Area Total Sq Mi:2398
Area Land Sq Mi:1162
Area Water Sq Mi:1237
Area Percentage:51.6%
Census Yr:2020
Pop:164,754
Density Sq Mi:133
Time Zone:Hawaii
District:2nd
Web:www.mauicounty.gov
Population Est:164183
Pop Est As Of:2023
Pop Est Footnotes:[1]

Maui County (Hawaiian: Kalana {{okina), officially the County of Maui, is a county in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It consists of the islands of Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi (except for a portion of Molokaʻi that comprises Kalawao County), Kahoʻolawe, and Molokini. The latter two are uninhabited. As of the 2020 census, the population was 164,754.[2] The county seat is Wailuku.[3]

Maui County is included in the Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Government

Maui County has a quasi-mayor-council form of municipal government. Unlike traditional municipal governments, the county government is established by the state legislature by statute and is not chartered. Executive authority is vested in the mayor, elected by the voters on a nonpartisan basis to a four-year term (with a limit of two consecutive full terms). Legislative authority is vested in the nine-member Maui County Council. All seats in the county council have residency requirements, but all Maui County voters may vote in elections for all nine seats regardless of residence. Members of the county council are elected on a nonpartisan basis to two-year terms (with a limit of five consecutive full terms).

The mayor of Maui County is Richard Bissen, serving since January 2023. Richard Bissen formerly served as a Judge for the 2nd Hawaii State Circuit Court.

The parade banner of the county, described simply as "parade banner of the County of Maui", this banner is vertically divided light blue-light green-light blue, by red stripes, with a seal in the center.

The Maui County Police Department provides law enforcement services for the county. The current chief is John Pelletier.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and (51.6%) is water.[5] The islands that comprise Maui County correspond to the remnants of the ancient landmass of Maui Nui. The highest point in the county is the peak of Haleakalā at 10023feet. Haleakalā is a shield volcano located on the eastern side of the island of Maui.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

As of the 2000 Census,[6] there were 128,094 people, 43,507 households, and 29,889 families residing in the county. The population density was 110/mi2. There were 56,377 housing units at an average density of 49/mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 33.01% Asian, 28.90% White, 22.24% from two or more races, 10.72% Pacific Islander, 1.40% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American and 1.36% from other races. 7.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 43,507 households, out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.90% were married couples living together, 12.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 21.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.41.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.50% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 30.90% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 11.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.20 males.

2020 religion census

Maui County is among the most religiously diverse counties in the US. A 2020 census by the Public Religion Research Institute (unconnected to the official US census) calculates a religious diversity score of 0.867 for Maui County, where a score of 1 represents complete diversity (each religious group of equal size), and 0 being a total lack of diversity. Only eight counties in the US have higher diversity scores than Maui County, four of which are boroughs of New York City.[7]

Economy

Top employers

According to the county's 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,[8] the top employers in the county are the following:

Employer
  1. of Employees
1State of Hawaii5,030
2Maui County2,436
3Grand Wailea Resort & Spa1,400
4Ritz-Carlton-Kapalua1,000
5United States Federal Government900
6Maui Memorial Medical Center800
Four Seasons Resort Maui800
7Fairmont Kea Lani700
Four Seasons Lānaʻi700
Westin Maui Resort & Spa700
8Kea Lani Maui Restaurant600
9 Hale Makua Health Service500
Kaanapali Beach Club500
Montage Kapalua Bay500
Walmart500
Royal Lahaina Resort500
10Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott420

Transportation

Airports

Three airports provide air service to the island of Maui:

There are also airports on Maui's smaller adjacent islands:

Major highways

Communities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Former communities

Politics

Like all of Hawaii, Maui County is reliably Democratic. It has only been carried by the Republican presidential candidate three times since its statehood in 1959: in 1960, 1972 and 1984.

Maui County was the only county in the United States won by Dennis Kucinich during his unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic Party nomination to the presidency in 2004.[9]

Education

Hawaii Department of Education operates public schools in Maui County.[10]

Sister cities

Maui County's sister cities are:[11]

See also

External links

20.8677°N -156.6171°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 . March 24, 2024 . United States Census Bureau.
  2. Web site: State & County QuickFacts . United States Census Bureau . June 28, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110713084533/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/15/15001.html . July 13, 2011 .
  3. Web site: Find a County. June 7, 2011. National Association of Counties.
  4. Web site: Mangieri . Gina . Maui police chief with a plan to protect . KHON2 . April 4, 2023 . May 15, 2023.
  5. Web site: US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990. United States Census Bureau. April 23, 2011. February 12, 2011.
  6. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. January 31, 2008.
  7. Public Religion Research Institute . Public Religion Research Institute . The 2020 Census of American Religion . 21 . September 21, 2021.
  8. Web site: Teruya . Scott . June 30, 2022 . FY2022 County of Maui Annual Comprehensive Financial Report . November 12, 2023 . County of Maui, Hawaii.
  9. Web site: US Election Atlas . Dave Leip . January 11, 2008.
  10. Web site: 2020 CENSUS – SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Maui County, HI. U.S. Census Bureau. July 22, 2022. – Text list
  11. Web site: Sister Cities. County of Maui. December 20, 2021.