Koloa, Hawaii

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For the mallard-like duck named Koloa, see Hawaiian Duck.

Kōloa is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kauaʻi County, Hawaiʻi, United States. The population was 1,942 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Koloa Plantation: A Case Study
4 Noted person
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Geography

Kōloa is located at 21°54′26″N, 159°27′57″W (21.907137, -159.465877)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.1 km² (1.2 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

A shop of the town of Kōloa

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,942 people, 693 households, and 507 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 630.1/km² (1,629.5/mi²). There were 748 housing units at an average density of 242.7/km² (627.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 20.24% White, 0.36% African American, 0.26% Native American, 43.77% Asian, 7.78% Pacific Islander, 1.24% from other races, and 26.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.38% of the population.

There were 693 households out of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 18.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.3 males.

Koloa Demographics, 1894

Koloa Demographics, 1897

The median income for a household in the CDP was $34,786, and the median income for a family was $43,393. Males had a median income of $31,125 versus $25,938 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $16,224. About 16.7% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.5% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Koloa Plantation: A Case Study

Sugar production in Koloa

Profits from Koloa plantation

Koloa Demographics, 1899

Koloa Demographics, 1935

The first sugar plantation in Hawai`i was founded in Koloa in 1835 (HSPA, 1949). The plantation was established here due to the overall fertility of the soil, proximity to a good port, and location near the Maulili pool which allowed them the use of a waterfall for processing power (Alexander, 1937). This first lease was not easily acquired and missionaries in the remote hamlet played a large part in its acquisition. Hawaiians are described as resisting the lease of the land and forbade the sale of provisions to plantation managers (Alexander, 1937). The two groups eventually struck an uneasy partnership that resulted in multiple conflicts as time progressed.

Managers of the sugar plantation expressed significant frustration with the Hawaiian laborers suggesting they have shown “complete worthlessness...as laborers” (Alexander, 1937). Interestingly, Hawaiian people are described as being so strongly rooted in their cultural heritage that “centuries, at least, will intervene ere they will understand that it is a part of their duty to serve their masters faithfully” (Alexander, 1937). The plantation manager goes on to state that the work of 10 white men was equivalent to that of 400 Hawaiians (Alexander, 1937).

Plantation owners paid workers $2 per month using “Kauai Currency” which could only be redeemed at plantation stores for goods (marked up no more than 2% over market) (Alexander, 1937). They were provided furnished houses but had to pay 1 cent per day for them (Alexander, 1937). In an early revolt against these conditions, Hawaiian workers commenced an unsuccessful strike for higher wages (Alexander, 1937). A review of Koloa history and working conditions reveals the motivations of plantation owners to import labor resulting in a massive wave of globalization for the islands.

[edit] Noted person

Ray Kane — Slack key guitarist.

[edit] References

Alexander, Arthur (1937). Koloa Plantation 1835 - 1935. Honolulu, HI: Star-Bulletin.
Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association (1949). Sugar in Hawaii. Honolulu, HI: Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association.