Kalawao County, Hawaii

Infobox U.S. County
county = Kalawao County
state = Hawaii


map size = 220
founded = 1905
seat = none (administered by Hawaii Dept. of Health)
area_total_sq_mi =52
area_water_sq_mi =39
area_land_sq_mi =13
area percentage = 75%
census yr = 2000
pop = 147
density_km2 =4
time zone = Hawaii
web =
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Kalawao County is a county located in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The county is on the Kalaupapa Peninsula, on the north coast of the island of Moloka'i. The small peninsula of Kalaupapa is isolated from the rest of Moloka'i by sea cliffs over a quarter-mile high — the only land access is a mule trail.

Kalawao County is a separate county from the rest of Moloka'i, which is part of Maui County. Maui County does not claim jurisdiction over the three villages of Kalaupapa, Kalawao, and Waikolu. Some maps, however, do not show Kalawao as a separate county.

The county does not have a county government, with the exception of a sheriff who is selected from local residents by the State Department of Health, which administers the county.

The county is coextensive with the Kalaupapa National Historical Park, and encompasses the Kalaupapa Settlement where the Kingdom of Hawaii, the territory, and the state once exiled persons suffering from leprosy (Hansen's disease) beginning in the 1860s. The quarantine policy was lifted in 1969, after the disease became treatable on an outpatient basis and could be rendered non-contagious. However, many of the resident patients chose to remain, and the state has promised they can stay there for the rest of their lives. No new patients, or other permanent residents, are admitted. Visitors are only permitted as part of officially-sanctioned tours. State law prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from visiting or living there. With a population of 147 at the 2000 census, Kalawao County's population is the second smallest of any county in the United States, ahead of only Loving County, Texas. Ranked by median household income, it is the poorest county in the United States.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 52 square miles (136 km²), of which, 13 square miles (34 km²) of it is land and 39 square miles (101 km²) of it is water (mostly the Pacific Ocean). In land area, it is the smallest county in the United States.

Adjacent counties

*Maui County, Hawaii - south

Demographics

As of the census of 2000,GR|2 there were 147 people, 115 households, and 21 families residing in the county. The population density was 11 people per square mile (4/km²). There were 172 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 25.85% White, 17.01% Asian, 48.30% Pacific Islander, 2.72% from other races, and 6.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.08% of the population

There were 115 households out of which 1.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 16.50% were married couples living together, 2.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 80.90% were non-families. 79.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 31.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.28 and the average family size was 2.27.

In the county the population was spread out with 2.00% under the age of 18, 1.40% from 18 to 24, 18.40% from 25 to 44, 46.30% from 45 to 64, and 32.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 59 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.80 males.

Transportation

Molokai Airport on the island of Molokai in Maui County provides air service to the whole of Molokai. Commuter air service is available at Kalaupapa Airport, which is located within the county.

ee also

*Father Damien
*Leper colony

References

External links

* [http://www.chem.hawaii.edu/uham/counties.html chem.hawaii.edu] – Is it a county or not?