Kalawao County, Hawaii

Kalawao County is a county located in the U.S. State of Hawaii. The county is on the Kalaupapa Peninsula on the north shore of the island of Molokai. It is a separate county from the rest of Molokai, even though many maps don't show Kalawao as a separate county. It is isolated from the rest of Molokai by sea cliffs over a quarter-mile high, with the only land access a mule trail. Maui County does not claim jurisdiction of the three villages of Kalaupapa, Kalawao, and Waikolu, which is coextensive with the Kalaupapa National Historical Park, and the Kalaupapa Settlement where the Kingdom of Hawaii, the territory, and the state used to exile those suffering from Hansen's disease (leprosy) beginning in the 1860s.

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 quarantine policy was lifted in 1969, after Hansen's 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. State law prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from visiting or living there. In terms of population, Kolowao County is the second smallest in the United States, ahead only of Loving County, Texas.

Visitors are only permitted as part of officially-sanctioned tours.

See Father Damien.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 136 km² (52 mi²). 34 km² (13 mi²) of it is land and 101 km² (39 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 74.76% water. It is the smallest county in size in the United States.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 147 people, 115 households, and 21 families residing in the county. The population density is 4/km² (11/mi²). There are 172 housing units at an average density of 5/km² (13/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 25.85% White, 0.00% Black or African American, 0.00% Native American, 17.01% Asian, 48.30% Pacific Islander, 2.72% from other races, and 6.12% from two or more races. 4.08% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

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

In the county, the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 59 years. For every 100 females there are 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 102.80 males.

External link: The Mini-DXpedition to Kalawao County Hawaii