Koloa, Kauai County, Hawaii
The first mention of this sunny Kauai town brings back to memories the oldest sugar plantation in Hawaii. Koloa is fraught with history and beauty, seen from its collection of tourist spots that is impossible to find elsewhere in the Big Island. For the uninitiated, Koloa is a haven for surfing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. It is near other famous recreational sites such as the Poipu Beach Park, found at Kauai's southern most tip, which is voted as "America's Best Beach."
To get to Koloa, tourists may cruise through the Tree Tunnel and pass the gift shops, art galleries, and restaurants in Koloa. Along with these are other points of interest such as the Waita Reservoir, Atlantis Gallery of Kauai, and Nahumaalo Point. The town is also recognized as the birthplace of the great Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, who was a Republican delegate to Congress in the early 90's and is known for helping the Hawaiians during his term.
Koloa has a mild enough weather to permit swimming and surfing in the summer. The land is quite dry, being located in the southwestern Kauia. However, it is rainy from October to March, and the summers are hot except in the more elevated places. Storms are rare in Koloa. This type of weather has attracted tourists from all over the world. In Koloa, majority of the population is composed of Caucasians and Asians, while the rest are Hispanics, Africans, American Indians, and Europeans. The last census revealed that there were 2,043 Koloans, and the average population growth rate is 5.93%.
Koloa's History
To have a deeper learning about Koloa's history, it's best to visit its Koloa History Center. In here, one can get a glimpse of the Old Koloa Town where the first sugarcanes were planted. Photographs and artifacts of planters reveal the past of the oldest sugar plantation in Hawaii. Of course, the sugar industry has now been replaced by "guavas" and other tropical products, as well as other booming industries such as tourism. But the Old Koloa Town's sugar plantations were the beginnings of Koloa's rise to prominence.
It was in 1835 when the sugarcanes were planted on South Shore community's hub. Two years later, the plantation yielded two tons of sugar in its first harvest. That was just the beginning, since after a century, Koloa was producing millions of tons of sugar yearly. Following Koloa Heritage Trail is the best way to learn further about the past of Koloa's sugar plantation. This trail will lead you to the Waikomo Road, where the plantation employers once lived, the oldest churches which were founded during the 18th century, the old storefronts of the Japanese immigrants, and other historic points along the way.
Every year the Koloa townsfolk in Hawaii remember the plantation days through the Koloa Plantation Days celebration. This celebration dates back two decades ago and is held for an entire week in mid-summer, from July 22nd through the 30th. This event is marked by free family-oriented outdoor activities such as golf tournaments, softball, canoe race, rodeo, nature walks, and hometown parades.
Koloa's Attractions
At Koloa, the list of tourist attractions is endless. Folks can get acquainted with the historic Kauai sugar industry in the museum and history center. They can enjoy the cruise along the Tree Tunnel where eucalyptus and mahogany trees lead them to the town's commercial area. You really don't have to drive through this passage since tourists are often found hiking here. The Tree Tunnel is a mile-long road found at Highway 520. It is a fragrant and natural enclosure that leads to the East of Koloa. Those who miss it can try the Waita Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Kauai. Here, they can fish for peacock and smallmouth bass.
The Kauai sugar commerce is best learned at the Koloa History Center and Heritage Trail. At the Poipu hotels or the business district's tourist racks, one can easily get a free brochure of the Heritage Trail's 14 sites to visit. In it, one can find the highlights of the sugar trade during the 1800s: from the old plantation roads to the home of Prince Kalanianaole.
Visiting Koloa won't be complete without getting one's feet wet at the beach community in Poipu. Poipu is a beach community and a commercial area rolled into one. Like other great attractions in Hawaii, folks can choose from a range of summer activities here: snorkeling, horseback riding, windsurfing, sunning, shopping, and dining, among other things. The Poipu beach is enclosed within nice restaurants and shops -- in fact, it has everything that a tourist needs when vacationing in the Big Island.
Koloa's Economy
There is more to Koloa than meets the eye. Generally, living costs are high. This is because the government has to meet a high state income capita tax demand. However, the high living amenities are offset by the tourism boost, which generates considerable revenues to help the Hawaiian state meet its industry goals.
The living expense in this Hawaiian city is 57% greater than the average American town. Housing costs are expensive, but the quality of life is highly standard. This is evident on the amount of funds allotted for food, education, health, environment, and transportation. Home costs appreciate by a rate of 28.54%, while the average home cost is $476,000. There are more employed people in Koloa than elsewhere in the United States, as evident in its 2.9% unemployment rate, as opposed to the US average of 5%. There's a very bright outlook for future jobs in Koloa. The city has achieved the latest job growth rate of 3.76%.
The average household income in Koloa is $37,393. However, the average home cost is $476,000, roughly double the cost of any mainland American state. The Hawaiian state government reports a very high quality of health in Koloa. There are more physicians in Koloa and more clean areas (according to Superfund sites surveys). The state allots $5,722 for every student. There is no mass transportation, but there are more cars than in the mainland US. Commuting takes less time, too. Overall, Koloa is a thriving tourism city in Hawaii. It has a promising future for further economic growth.
Koloa Statistics:
Population: 1,942Households: 693
Median resident age: 35.9 years
Median household income: $34,786
Median house value: $179,000
Land area: 1.2 square miles
Elevation: 200 feet
Latitude: 21°54'N
Longitude: 159°27'W
Zip code: 96756
County: Kauai
Koloa Resources:
Follow the Koloa Heritage TrailInformation on Po'ipu Beach
Koloa Hawaii Detailed Profile
