Lahaina, Hawaii

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Lahaina, Hawaii
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settlement_type = CDP
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image_caption = Scenic Lāhainā oceanfront


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map_caption = Location in Maui County and the state of Hawaii


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Hawaii
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Maui
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area_total_km2 = 18.1
area_land_km2 = 14.9
area_water_km2 = 3.2
area_total_sq_mi = 7.0
area_land_sq_mi = 5.8
area_water_sq_mi = 1.2
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population_as_of = 2000
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population_total = 9118
population_density_km2 = 611.8
population_density_sq_mi = 1584.7
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timezone = Hawaii-Aleutian
utc_offset = -10
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latd = 20
latm = 53
lats = 10
latNS = N
longd = 156
longm = 40
longs = 29
longEW = W
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 1
elevation_ft = 3
postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 96761, 96767
area_code = 808
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 15-42950
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0361678
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Lahaina is the largest town and census-designated place (CDP) in West Maui, Maui County, Hawaii, United States, and the gateway to the famous Kaanapali and Kapalua beach resorts north of town. As of the 2000 Census, the CDP had a resident population of 9,118. Lahaina encompasses the coast along Hawaii Route 30 from a tunnel at the south end, through Olawalu up the CDP of Napili-Honokowai is to the north. During the heavy tourist seasons, the population can swell to nearly 40,000 people. Before Hawaii's annexation by the United States, Lahaina was the "Royal Capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom" as city signs proclaim. The name means "merciless sun" in the Hawaiian language, describing the long hot days;Fact|date=July 2008 Lahaina averages only convert|13|in|mm of rain per year, much of which occurs from December through February. In the 1800s, Lahaina was the center of the global whaling industry with many sailing ships anchored in front of town; today a score of pleasure craft make their home there.

Etymology

The Star-Bulletin of July 13, 1920, gave two versions of "How Lahaina Got Its Name," which merited more attention than it received. The first version differs from the well-established tradition in assigning the point of departure for Kahiki, as from Lahaina, instead of from the west point of Kahoolawe. It also introduces us to the pioneer Ad Club of the islands, boosting the charms of Maui, in the eleventh century. But their slogan, "laha aina" (proclaiming land), though dropping a superfluous a to form the new name they had adopted, would not give us the accent on the last syllable as Hawaiians pronounce it.

The second version sounds more reasonable, and aids somewhat in our search for the time when the name Lahaina was substituted for its former one, Lele. The newer name clearly shows it to be commemorative of a notable day in the history of the place. In the time of Kakae and his brother, Kakaalaneo, about 1630, it was still known as Lele. When after this period the change occurred is not clear, but analysis of the name, as properly pronounced Lā-hai-nā, would be "a day of calamity, or cruelty," and such an experience is known to have befallen Lahaina in the battles of warring chiefs waged for supremacy, more particularly following the death of Kekaulike, in the invasions of Alapainui of Hawaii, about 1735. But the change of name must have taken place earlier than this date. [All about Hawaii: Hawaiian Annual for 1922 The Reference Book of Information and Statistics Relating to the Territory of Hawaii. Page 86]

History

In antiquity it was the royal capital of Maui Loa, 5th Moi of Maui, after he ceded the royal seat of Hana to King of Hawaii Island. In Lahaina, the focus of activity is along Front Street, which dates back to the 1820s. It is lined with stores and restaurants, and is often packed with tourists. Banyan Tree Square features an exceptionally large banyan tree planted in 1873 to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of the missionaries. It is also the site of the reconstructed ruins of Lahaina Fort, originally built in 1832.

Prior to unification of the islands, in 1795, the town was sacked by Kamehameha the Great. Lahaina was the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1820 to 1845. In 1824, at the request of the chiefs, Betsey Stockton started the first mission school open to the common people. It was once an important destination for the 19th century whaling fleet, whose presence at Lahaina frequently led to conflicts with the Christian missionaries living there. On more than one occasion the conflict was so severe that it led to the shelling of Lahaina by whaleboats.

Geography

Lahaina is located at coor dms|20|53|10|N|156|40|29|W|city (20.886122, -156.674602)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 7.0 square miles (18.1 km²), of which, 5.8 square miles (14.9 km²) of it is land and 1.2 square miles (3.2 km²) of it is water. The total area is 17.50% water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 9,118 people, 2,599 households, and 1,759 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,584.7 people per square mile (612.3/km²). There were 3,027 housing units at an average density of 526.1/sq mi (203.3/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 26.44% White, 0.34% African American, 0.31% Native American, 43.40% Asian, 9.83% Pacific Islander, 2.18% from other races, and 17.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.06% of the population.

There were 2,599 households out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.50 and the average family size was 3.91.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 108.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.1 males.

The median income household income in 2005 was $61,402 and the average household income for 2005 was $79,876. Males have a median income of $39,583 versus $35,392 for females. The per capita income for the CDP is $29,921. About 6.8% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.3% of those under the age of 18 and 9.2% of those 65 and older.

Attractions

The banyan tree in Courthouse Square is noteworthy for its size. As a strangling fig, it has grown by dropping roots from its branches that then become additional trunks, allowing it to cover two-thirds of an acre. It now has twelve major trunks and the symmetry of the tree is maintained by volunteers. [ [http://www.hawaiiweb.com/maui/html/sites/banyan_tree.html Banyan Tree Park] Front Street, Lahaina HawaiiWeb.com Accessed June 9 2008]

In 1831 a fort was built for defense, and the remains of its convert|20|ft|m|sing=on walls and original cannons can still be seen. Also near by is the historical Pioneer Inn. The Baldwin House is also close by.

The Plantation Course at Kapalua hosts the PGA Tour's Mercedes-Benz Championship every January.

The many restaurants along Front Street, some of national renown like Bubba Gump, others local, offer a broad variety of food and entertainment, making the street the hub of West Maui's night life.

Halloween is a major celebration in Lahaina and has become a signature event in the past decades with crowds averaging between 20,000 to 30,000. [ [http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/Oct/29/il/il02a.html "In Lahaina, a monumental Maui Halloween"] from "Island Life" October 29, 2004] The evening starts off closing Front Street to cars so the "Keiki Parade" of children in costumes can begin. Eventually adults in costumes join in and by dark, it's one big party. Coming to Maui for halloween has caught on, however, the celebration is well-attended by locals as well. [ [http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/Oct/29/il/il02a.html "In Lahaina, a monumental Maui Halloween"] from "Island Life" October 29, 2004]

Every November, Lahaina hosts the Maui Invitational, one of the top early-season tournaments in college basketball. Many of the visitors to the Tournament and other events, including Halloween, use the occasion of their visit to Lahaina to stock up on items not available on the US Mainland or in other countries.

See also

*Living Lahaina

References

External links

* [http://www.pbase.com/mjscanlon/image/61132441 Old Lāhainā Luau Photo]
* Live webcams of several of Lahaina's beaches are available on the [http://www.mauibeachguide.com/index.php/Webcams Maui Beach Guide]