Laupāhoehoe, Hawaii

History

On April 1, 1946, the Hawaiian Islands were struck by the so-called "April Fools Day tsunami", originating from the Aleutian Islands earthquake. Approximately 159 people in the islands were killed. The tsunami had the largest impact on the Big Island, with the greatest number of deaths occurring in Hilo with 96 fatalities. The school building at Laupāhoehoe was inundated by the tsunami and 24 people drowned. Of the dead, 16 were schoolchildren, four were teachers, and four were residents. A monument to the dead now stands on Laupāhoehoe Point.

Geography

Laupāhoehoe is located on the northeast side of the island of Hawaii, at (19.983296, -155.235889). Hawaii Route 19 passes through the community, leading southeast 24 mi to Hilo and west 32 mi to Waimea.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.2 km2, of which 5.5 km2 are land and 0.7 km2, or 10.66%, are water.

Climate

|Jan record high F = 85 |Feb record high F = 86 |Mar record high F = 89 |Apr record high F = 84 |May record high F = 88 |Jun record high F = 86 |Jul record high F = 85 |Aug record high F = 88 |Sep record high F = 88 |Oct record high F = 87 |Nov record high F = 86 |Dec record high F = 85

|Jan record low F = 55 |Feb record low F = 56 |Mar record low F = 55 |Apr record low F = 55 |May record low F = 58 |Jun record low F = 60 |Jul record low F = 61 |Aug record low F = 60 |Sep record low F = 61 |Oct record low F = 61 |Nov record low F = 58 |Dec record low F = 57

|access-date = March 6, 2023 |access-date = March 6, 2023

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 581 people in 214 households residing in the CDP. The population density was 276.7 /mi2. There were 243 housing units at an average density of 115.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 36.49% White, 0.34% African American, 0.17% American Indian & Alaska Native, 24.44% Asian, 4.82% Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander, 0.86% from other races, and 32.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.59% of the population.

There were 214 households, out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them. The average household size was 2.71.

In the Laupāhoehoe CDP the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 12.9% from 25 to 34, 15.1% from 35 to 49, 26.0% from 50 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 105.3 males. For every 100 males there were 95.0 females.

The median income for a household in the CDP at the 2000 census was $29,250, and the median income for a family in 2000 was $30,000. Males had a median income in 2000 of $21,667 versus $21,607 for females. The per capita income for the CDP in 2000 was $11,896. About 28.4% of families and 25.2% of the population were below the poverty line in 2000, including 41.1% of those under age 18 and 14.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The statewide school district is the Hawaii State Department of Education, and it covers Hawaii County. Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter School is in the community.

The Hawaii State Public Library System operates the Laupahoehoe Public and School Library.

References

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
2. {{cite gnis
3. (April 2020}}{{cbignore). "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Laupahoehoe CDP, Hawaii". U.S. Census Bureau.
4. Fisher, S., Goff, J., Cundy, A. et al. (July 12, 2023). [https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-023-06076-w "A qualitative review of tsunamis in Hawaiʻi"]. ''Natural Hazards''. Springer. p. 21.
5. Johnston, Jeanne Branch. (2003). "Personal Accounts from Survivors of the Hilo Tsunamis of 1946 and 1960: Toward a Disaster Communications Model". [[University of Hawaii at Manoa]].
6. (2011-02-12). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
7. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
8. "US Census Bureau - 2010 Population Finder - Laupahoehoe CDP".
9. Geography Division. (December 21, 2020). "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Hawaii County, HI". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
10. "Laupahoehoe Public and School Library". [[Hawaii State Public Library System]].