Pepeekeo, Hawaii County, Hawaii
The town of Pepeekeo is blessed with so much beauty. This little town boasts nothing but the sheer magnificence of nature. Pepeekeo's scenic lava coastlines, rushing white waves, lush countryside, cascading waterfalls, gushing brooks and streams, and deep enchanting forests are pure delights. This showcase of nature's splendor is just one of the elements that draw people to Pepeekeo. Natural wonders coupled with rich Hawaiian culture and history -- the result is paradise.
A census-designated place in Hawaii County, Pepeekeo is situated on the east coast of the Big Island's beautiful Hamakua coast. Facing the endless azure of Pacific Ocean, the town's tropical climate provides the place with occasional hurricanes and year-round rain showers. Although moisture-laden for almost all of the time, Pepeekeo remains a perfect place for summer getaways.
With a land area of 2.849 square kilometers or 1.1 square miles, Pepeekeo can adequately accommodate its 1,697 population. Despite having a 41% higher cost of living compared to US average, many people have settled in the area. This might be attributed to the healthy environment Pepeekeo provides for its inhabitants--- good air and water quality and excellent Superfund sites. Pepeekeo's population is as ethnically diverse as most of its nearby towns and cities. A large percentage of the local demographics is comprised of people from Asian descent (Filipinos, Japanese, Chinese), Caucasians, and Hispanics. Native Hawaiians still reside in the area, although their percentage is relatively smaller than that of other races. Catholicism remains the leading religious affiliation for the locals, followed by Protestants and other religions.
Pepeekeo's History
Like the other towns in Big Island's east coast, Pepeekeo's history is connected with Hawaii's sugar industry. Pepeekeo's lava soil and regular rainfall offer the ideal conditions for growing sugar cane. On 1778, when Captain Cook happened upon the Hawaii islands, the lands were already abundant with sugar cane. A few years afterwards, Ladd & Co. decided to buy acres of land for sugar cane planting, and was able to export raw sugar. This then marked the start of the sugar industry.
The Pepeekeo Sugar Company was among the biggest producers of sugar cane in the island during the era. When it was established in 1857, it was named Metcalf Plantation, after the owner Theopilus Metcalf. When Metcalf died in 1874, the new owners of the his plantation changed its name to Pepeekeo Sugar Company. The sugar company experienced a lot of merging and changing of owners from the year it was established until 1971. Alexander Young and H. Deacon bought the company in 1889. In 1946 and 1963, the Pepeekeo Sugar Company merged with the sugar companies, Hanomu and Hakalau respectively. The Papaikou and Wainakua sugar companies united with Pepeekeo in 1971.
By the late 20th century, many people in Hawaii, including the residents of Pepeekeo, were employed with the sugar company. Sugar companies provide towns and their workers with important structures, such as hospitals, theaters, lighthouse, and parks. Many immigrants came to Pepeekeo to acquire work in the sugar company. The once sleepy town of Pepeekeo flourished because of the sugar industry. Simply put, the development of Pepeekeo as a town has a lot to do with the sugar industry era.
Pepeekeo's Attractions
To experience a whiz through several breathtaking vistas, visitors in the town can have a 4-mile scenic drive off the main highway. The famous scenic drive from nearby town, Papaikou, to Pepeekeo takes the Onomea scenic route. The Pepeekeo scenic drive is perfect for cruising couples in their top-down cars who like to enjoy the light breeze and soak in the splendid Hawaiian sun. Passing through the 4-mile route is truly an exceptional experience for nature lovers. For the ultimate nature experience, tourists can also visit the nearby Hawaiian Tropical Botanical Garden. Dubbed as the most beautiful place in Hawaii, visitors can walk through a tropical rainforest and completely lose themselves in the majesty of nature. The Hawaiian Tropical Botanical Garden is a plant sanctuary for hundreds of exotic plants and different varieties of other plants. Pepeekeo is also not far from Akaka Falls, a free-falling waterfall of the Kolekole Stream.
For visiting people who plan to have a little rest and relaxation, Pepeekeo provide the ideal environment for a serene respite. The more adventurous bunch can also choose among several recreational activities in the area, such as snorkeling, sailing, hiking, and of course, surfing. Pepeekeo is also near golf courses, resorts, and shopping centers for those who can never do without their favorite pastime. To those who are more inclined to indulge themselves with Pepeekeo's historical background, the old Pepeekeo Sugar Mill and the Pepeekeo Point Light can be included in the travel itinerary. Built when the sugar industry was at its pinnacle, the two structures were silent eyewitnesses to the town's history.
Pepeekeo's Economy
Although sugar industry was once the backbone of the Pepeekeo economy, the recent developments in the Big Island have cast it into oblivion. The once sugarcane-filled lands were slowly replaced by other agricultural crops. Macadamia trees and tropical fruits reign the fertile soil of Hawaii. Pepeekeo is no different. After the decline of the sugar industry, people have sought for other sources of income. Some still stuck to farming, while others ventured in the fishing trade. Pepeekeo, which was then known for sugar cane, is now home to one of the largest banana plantations in the Big Island. The plantations in Pepeekeo and the nearby town, Keeau yields almost 60% of Hawaii Island's total banana production.
While there are still those who stuck to farming and fishing, many residents in Pepeekeo have found employment in other trades. Leading the employment percentage for Pepeekeo is the sales occupations with 27.4, closely followed by occupations in the personal services arena, which employ 21.8% of Pepeekeo's working population. Ranking third is those employed in management occupations with 18.8%. People involved in productions, which ranks fourth, makes up 15.1%. The remaining percentage found work in the construction trade.
The unemployment rate of Pepeekeo, as of 2000, has reached the 3.80%, despite a 4.47% job growth and 18.14% future job growth in the town. Pepeekeo's household income of $30,041 is seen to fall $14,643 short while the income per capita of $14,014 is less $10,006, compared to the US average. Sales taxes and income taxes have reached the 4% and 10% respectively, while the US average for sales taxes is 6% and 5.02% for the income taxes.
Pepeekeo Statistics:
Population: 1,697Households: 623
Median resident age: 40.8 years
Median household income: $27,946
Median house value: $127,500
Land area: 1.1 square miles
Elevation: 487 feet
Latitude: 19°50'N
Longitude: 155°6'W
Zip code: 96783
County: Hawaii
