Kāneʻohe: Oʻahu's Windward Jewel
Delve into the rich history, unique geography, and vibrant community of this significant Hawaiian census-designated place.
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Overview
The Bamboo Man's Legacy
Kāneʻohe, pronounced [kaːneˈʔohe] in Hawaiian, translates to "bamboo man." This distinctive name originates from an ancient Hawaiian narrative where a local woman likened her husband's harshness to the sharp edge of cutting bamboo, thus christening the area. It is a census-designated place (CDP) situated within the City and County of Honolulu, on the island of Oʻahu.
Windward Oʻahu's Hub
As of the 2020 census, Kāneʻohe recorded a population of 37,430, making it the largest among several communities nestled along Kāneʻohe Bay. It stands as one of the two most substantial residential communities on the windward side of Oʻahu, with Kailua being the other. The town's primary commercial activities are concentrated along Kamehameha Highway.
Notable Landmarks & Access
The area boasts significant cultural and recreational sites, including the Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden and the Hawaiʻi National Veterans Cemetery. Windward Mall serves as the main shopping destination for residents. Access to the picturesque Kāneʻohe Bay is predominantly facilitated through the public pier and boat ramp located in the nearby community of Heʻeia Kea.
History
Royal Heritage & Agricultural Past
In ancient times, Kāneʻohe held considerable importance as an agricultural center, a distinction owed to its abundant rainfall. This fertile land was historically dedicated to the cultivation of staple crops such as taro and sweet potatoes. Furthermore, Kāneʻohe was a significant locale for the early rulers of the Hawaiian Kingdom, featuring an impressive network of 30 royal fishponds, which were vital for sustenance and resource management.
Evolution to Residential Community
Over time, the character of Kāneʻohe has transformed dramatically. Today, it is predominantly a residential community, reflecting a shift from its historical agricultural roots. Evidence of large-scale agriculture is now minimal, with commercial banana cultivation being the only crop of notable consequence still present in the area.
Geography
Spatial Dimensions & Coordinates
Kāneʻohe is precisely located at geographic coordinates 21°24′33″N 157°47′57″W (21.409200, -157.799084). According to the United States Census Bureau, the census-designated place encompasses a total area of 8.5 square miles (22 km²). This total area is further delineated into 6.6 square miles (17 km²) of land and 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²) of water.
Bay Integration & Elevation
A notable characteristic of Kāneʻohe's geography is the significant inclusion of Kāneʻohe Bay within its census tract, with water accounting for 22.80% of its total area. This integration highlights the community's close relationship with its marine environment. The elevation of Kāneʻohe stands at 92 feet (28 meters) above sea level.
Climate
Tropical Steppe Classification
Kāneʻohe experiences a tropical steppe climate, characterized by warm temperatures year-round and distinct wet and dry seasons, though rainfall is generally abundant due to its windward location on Oʻahu.
Detailed Climatic Data
The following table presents a comprehensive overview of Kāneʻohe's climate, based on data collected at Marine Corps Base Hawaii from 1991–2020 for normals and 1942–present for extremes.
Demographics
Population Dynamics (2020)
The 2020 United States Census reported Kāneʻohe's total population at 37,430 residents. This population density was calculated at 5,721 inhabitants per square mile (approximately 2,208.9 per square kilometer), reflecting a moderately dense residential area within Honolulu County.
2000 Census Insights
The 2000 Census provides a detailed snapshot of Kāneʻohe's population characteristics, offering insights into its racial composition, household structures, age distribution, and economic status.
Historical Population Trends
Kāneʻohe has experienced consistent population growth over recent decades, as evidenced by the U.S. Decennial Census data.
Transport
Major Roadways & Connections
Kāneʻohe is well-connected by several key roadways. To the east, Kailua can be accessed via Kāneʻohe Bay Drive (State Route 630) or Kamehameha Highway (State Route 83). Kamehameha Highway also provides direct links to Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Interstate H-3, and at Castle Junction, the Pali Highway (State Route 61), which leads to Honolulu.
Interstate Access & Local Routes
The Likelike Highway (State Route 63) offers a southwestern route over and through the Koʻolau mountains to Honolulu, with connections to Kahekili Highway (Route 30) and Heʻeia, as well as H-3 southbound to Hālawa. The first three exits on the windward side of Interstate H-3 eastbound (northbound) provide access to Kāneʻohe. Kamehameha Highway continues northward from Kāneʻohe (State Route 830) through Heʻeia to Heʻeia Kea. Access to the restricted Coconut Island is available from the state pier off Lilipuna Road. Marine Corps Base Hawaii is situated across the southern expanse of Kāneʻohe Bay from central Kāneʻohe, with the town stretching along Kāneʻohe Bay Drive to the base perimeter.
Education
Public Primary & Secondary
The Hawaii Department of Education is responsible for operating the public school system in Kāneʻohe. Within the Kāneʻohe CDP, several elementary schools serve the community, including Heʻeia Elementary, Kāneʻohe Elementary, Kapunahala Elementary, Reverend Benjamin Parker Elementary, and Pūʻōhala School. For secondary education, James B. Castle High School is also located within the CDP.
Extended Educational Landscape
Beyond the immediate CDP boundaries, several schools with Kāneʻohe postal addresses cater to students in surrounding areas. These include Governor Samuel Wilder King Intermediate School, situated in Heʻeia CDP; ʻĀhuimanu Elementary School, adjacent to the ʻĀhuimanu CDP; Kahaluʻu Elementary School, located in Kahaluʻu CDP; and Waiāhole Elementary School, found in Waikane. Additionally, the Hakipuʻu Learning Center operates as a public charter school, offering education for grades 7 through 12.
Private Institutions & Higher Learning
Kāneʻohe also hosts a variety of private educational institutions. Within the CDP, these include Huakailani School for Girls (K-8), Koʻolau Baptist Academy, St Mark Lutheran School, and Windward Nazarene Academy. St. Ann Catholic School, serving grades K-8, is located in Heʻeia CDP but utilizes a Kāneʻohe address. For higher education, Windward Community College, a component of the state college system, is situated on the south side of central Kāneʻohe. Hawaiʻi Pacific University also maintains its Windward Hawaiʻi Loa campus on Kamehameha Highway, near Castle Junction.
Notable
Distinguished Residents
Kāneʻohe has been home to a diverse array of notable individuals who have achieved recognition in various fields:
- Kimee Balmilero: Actress.
- Bryan Clay: Decathlete and Olympic Gold Medalist.
- Aloha Dalire: Kumu hula and hula dancer, recognized as the first Miss Aloha Hula winner (1971).
- Alika DeRego: Volleyball player and U.S. Open national champion.
- Carlos Diaz: Former Major League Baseball relief pitcher for teams including the Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Caitlin Doughty: Mortician, author, and prominent YouTube personality.
- Blane Gaison: Former National Football League player.
- Ann Harada: Actress.
- Don Ho: Renowned singer and entertainer.
- Lisa Kitagawa: Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives.
- Colleen Meyer: Hawaii state legislator and businesswoman.
- Janel Parrish: Actress and singer.
- Jill Tokuda: Member of the U.S. House of Representatives and former member of the Hawaii Senate.
- Richard H. Wasai: Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives.
- Marjorie Ziegler: Naturalist and advocate for environmental conservation.
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This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
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