Keaau
Census-designated place
CountryUnited States
StateHawaii
CountyHawaii
Unit prefImperial
Area total16.25 km²
Area land16.25 km²
Area water0.00 km²
Area total6.27 sq mi
Area land6.27 sq mi
Area water0.00 sq mi
Population as of2020
Population total1195
Population density73.56 km²
Population density190.50 sq mi
Time zoneHawaii-Aleutian (UTC-10)
Coordinates19°37′16″N 155°2′30″W
Elevation104 m
Elevation341 ft
ZIP code96749
Area code808
FIPS code15-32900
GNIS feature ID0360892

Keaau is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hawaii County, Hawaii. located in the District of Puna. The population was 1,195 at the time of the 2020 census. The population decreased by roughly 50% from 2,253 at the time of the 2010 census.[1]

History

Keaau was called Ōlaa and in 1899, the Olaa Sugar Company leased about 4,000 acres of land, for growing sugarcane.[2][3]

Geography

Keaau is on the east side of the island of Hawaii at 19°37′16″N 155°2′30″W (19.621072, -155.041706).[4] It is bordered to the southwest by Kurtistown. Hilo is 8 miles (13 km) to the north. The junction of Hawaii Route 11 (the Hawaii Belt Road) and Hawaii Route 130 (Keaau-Pahoa Road) is in the northern part of the community. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.6 sq mi (6.7 square kilometres), all of it land.[5]

The Board on Geographic Names officially designated the populated place as Keaau in 2003.[6]

Demographics

2010 Census data

At the 2010 census there were 2,253 people in 701 households residing in the CDP. The population density was 901.2 inhabitants per square mile (348.0 /km2). There were 757 housing units at an average density of 302.8 inhabitants per square mile (116.9 /km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 12.38% White, 0.22% African American, 0.18% American Indian & Alaska Native, 52.02% Asian, 7.50% Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 27.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.74%.[1][7]

Of the 701 households, 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them. The average household size was 3.21.[1]

In the Keaau CDP the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 9.6% from 25 to 34, 19.6 from 35 to 49, 20.4% from 50 to 64, and 17.2% 65 or older. For every 100 females, there were 99.6 males. For every 100 males there were 100.4 females.[1]

The median household income was $39,722 and the median family income in 2000 was $43,347. Males had a median income in 2000 of $27,344 versus $23,287 for females. The per capita income for the CDP in 2000 was $14,657. About 9.6% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line in 2000, including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The statewide school district is the Hawaii State Department of Education, and it covers Hawaii County.[8] Area schools include:

The Hawaii State Public Library System operates the Keaau Public and School Library.[12]

Points of interest

References

  1. ^ "US Census Bureau - 2010 Population Finder - Keaau CDP". Archived from the original on 2014-01-16. Retrieved 2017-12-06.
  2. ^ "Kea'au, A Point in Time". Ke Ola Magazine. 1 July 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  3. ^ "Olaa's big sugar mill has commenced grinding". The Pacific commercial advertiser. 28 December 1901. ISSN 2375-3137. Retrieved 21 December 2022. – via Chronicling America Library of Congress.
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  5. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Keaau CDP, Hawaii". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2017.[dead link]
  6. ^ cf.
  7. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  8. ^ Geography Division (December 21, 2020). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Hawaii County, HI. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2022. - Text list
  9. ^ "Home". Keaʻau High School. Retrieved 2025-06-25. 16-725 Kea'au-Pahoa Road Keaau, HI 96749
  10. ^ "Home". Keaʻau Middle School. Retrieved 2025-06-25. 16-565 Keaʻau-Pahoa Road Keaʻau, HI 96749
  11. ^ "Home". Keaʻau Elementary School. Retrieved 2025-06-25. 16-680 Keaʻau Pāhoa Rd. Keaʻau, HI 96749
  12. ^ "Keaau Public and School Library". Hawaii State Public Library System. Retrieved 2025-06-25. Address 16-571 Keaau Pahoa Rd, Keaau, HI 96749, United States
  13. ^ "Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory & Visitors Center". on GoHawaii.Com official state tourism web site. Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2009-08-25.