Hawaii County

Hawaii County
Name	Hawaii County
Settlement type	County
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision name1	Hawaii
Seat type	County seat
Seat	Hilo
Largest city	Hilo

Hawaii County. Officially known as the County of Hawaii, it is one of five counties in the U.S. state of Hawaii and encompasses the entire island of Hawaiʻi, often called the "Big Island." The county seat and largest city is Hilo, located on the windward northeast coast. It is the largest county in the United States by land area, consisting of over 4,000 square miles of diverse and dramatic landscapes shaped by active volcanism.

Geography

The island's geography is dominated by five shield volcanoes: Kohala, Mauna Kea, Hualālai, Mauna Loa, and the highly active Kīlauea. The county contains 11 of the world's 13 climate zones, ranging from tropical rainforests in regions like Hilo and the Puna district to arid deserts in the Kona and Kohala coasts, and alpine conditions atop Mauna Kea. Significant natural features include Waipiʻo Valley, the dramatic cliffs of the Hamakua Coast, the black sand beaches of Punaluʻu Beach, and the active volcanic landscapes within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The county's waters are part of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

History

The island was the political and spiritual center of the early Hawaiian Kingdom, with the revered Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park serving as a place of refuge. Key historical sites include the birthplace of Kamehameha I near Moʻokini Heiau and the first capital of the unified kingdom at Kailua-Kona. The 19th century saw the establishment of sugar plantations, which brought immigrant laborers from China, Japan, Portugal, and the Philippines, fundamentally altering the demographic and economic landscape. The county was significantly impacted by the Bayonet Constitution and the subsequent Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893.

Government and politics

The county operates under a mayor-council system established by its Charter of the County of Hawaii. The legislative branch is the nine-member Hawaii County Council, elected from districts. The county government provides services through departments such as the Hawaii Police Department and manages critical infrastructure, including the Hilo International Airport and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole. It falls within Hawaii's 2nd congressional district for federal representation.

Economy

Historically driven by sugar cane and Kona coffee agriculture, the economy has diversified into tourism, astronomy, and diversified agriculture. Macadamia nut production is significant, with operations by companies like Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation. The summit of Mauna Kea hosts world-renowned astronomical observatories, including the W. M. Keck Observatory and the Subaru Telescope. Major resorts are concentrated along the Kohala Coast, including the Waikoloa Beach Resort and Mauna Kea Resort. The Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority in Kailua-Kona supports aquaculture and energy research.

Demographics

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a diverse population with significant Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Major population centers are Hilo on the east side and the Kailua-Kona area on the west. The Hawaiian language and Native Hawaiian culture remain vital, with institutions like the University of Hawaii at Hilo and the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center playing key roles in education and cultural preservation.

Culture and recreation

The county is a center for Hawaiian culture, hosting major events like the Merrie Monarch Festival, a world-famous hula competition in Hilo. Other significant gatherings include the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival and the Ironman World Championship triathlon in Kailua-Kona. Recreational activities are abundant, from snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to stargazing on Mauna Kea and deep-sea fishing. The Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo and Lyman Museum are key cultural attractions.

Category:Hawaii County, Hawaii