Pukalani, Maui County, Hawaii
Pukalani is a census-designated area in Maui, Hawaii, with a population of 7,380. The name Pukalani came from the Hawaiian words 'puka,' which means 'hole', and 'lani,' which means 'in the sky.' The area is named as such because the Haleakala volcano, on which Pukalani is situated, creates a a rather distinct weather pattern, which surely illuminates the blue skies over the town. Because of its location, the people of Pukalani have the advantage of bright sunshine, and cooler and breezier winds than that of Maui's central cities. Picturesque and stately, Pukalani appeals to varying personalities, as the city somehow projects an aura of rugged beauty and rustic serenity. However, being rural does not mean that it is as isolated as the outbacks. Pukalani also has a commercial center where residents and guests can treat themselves to a day of relaxation and shopping. Pukalani also has convenient access to other cities, and is only a few minutes away from another Maui town, Makawao.
Pukalani is home to different races from different places of the world. These include Asians, Native Hawaiians, and other races. Majority of the area's population is composed of families and retirees who take advantage of the location, affordable living conditions, and climate. Compared to the other places in Maui, Pukalani is the only one that beats with a more suburban pulse in its community. Even though this is one observation, the place still retains the kind of laid-back, country flavor, which in turn makes it an ideal getaway for families and career people.
Pukalani's History
The island of Maui has already seen its share of war and strife with the battles for the right of rule between tribe leaders. These wars were long and bloody, and only ended when the whole island came under the rule of Kamehameha the Great. As the island became the new home of the great king, trade flourished in Maui. Among the trade industries that were rampant during that time was the sandalwood and whaling industry.
The arrival of ranchers and farmers also played a significant role in Hawaiian history and gave rise to a new Maui. Soon, sugar and pineapple plantations developed and Maui became a main producer of these products. The flourishing of these plantations led to the arrival of foreign workers to Maui. Among the first to arrive were the Chinese, then the Japanese, followed by Hispanics, Koreans, and Filipinos. These foreign immigrants grew in number and soon, communities of these workers sprouted in different villages.
As the number of people in Maui grew, so did the communities. People began to search for better places to live in, so they went to the western area of Maui, where the weather was sunny yet cool, and not as crowded as the main cities. Among these communities was Pukalani. People began to discover Pukalani, and they instantly fell in love with its climate and its charm. Located near the slope area of an extinct volcano, Pukalani thrived and grew.
Today, Pukalani is one Maui's prime tourists destination, with its beautiful scenery, courtesy of Mount Haleakala, and its country club, which is famous for its golf courses.
Pukalani's Attractions
Not to be outdone, Pukalani also has its share of modern means of relaxation. For golf lovers and enthusiasts, Pukalani has a golf course available in the area. Pukalani Country Club, found at the hillsides of Maui, has a view overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean and the Valley Isle of Maui from Mount Haleakala, a now-extinct volcano whose Hawaiian name is translated as the "House of the Rising Sun." Built in 1970, this Pukalani country club features 18 holes that have driving and putting ranges covering nearly 160 acres. The club also has a bar and restaurant, which serves breakfast to dinner, including snacks.
At the Town Center of Pukalani, visitors have different choices with the number of restaurants and coffee shops available. Among these are Pizza Hut, Subway, and Starbucks. For more family fun, head on to the Community Center, which offers amenities such as tennis and basketball courts, and soccer and baseball fields. For regular joggers, the place also has a paved path around the park that you can use during your early morning exercises.
For a place to rest, try the Pukalani Retreat located near the slopes of Halekala. Pukalani is the Hawaiian word, which means "window to heaven." Instead of staying at hotels, most people who prefer to live in a comfortable and cozy Hawaiian country go and drive to Pukalani to unwind. Those looking for a pool to counter the heat go to the Pukalani Recreation Center Community Pool for a day of fun. The center has several pools for lap swimmers, beginners, and infants and toddlers. The center is open to public, from morning to afternoon.
Pukalani's Economy
It is very much obvious that a large bulk of Pukalani's income comes from tourism. Within this small 'uphill' place, tourism is pretty much dependable than agriculture. In Pukalani, their main industries are in health, education, and social service, followed by accommodation and food service, recreation, entertainment, and the arts. Only 12.7% of the residents of Pukalani work within their city, while the rest commute daily.
Real estate is also an income generating industry in Pukalani. A lot of people, particularly families, have expressed interest in living in Pukalani. With more and more people wanting to live in this place, more homes and condominium units are steadily being built. This gives more opportunities for the local residents, as construction and other related services will be much needed. This also increases the need for food, clothing, and education, all of which are deemed to be addressed by putting up more establishments and commercial facilities.
Pukalani will soon be facing a brighter future in retail. With renovations along the way, the community will soon be offering more and more shops, from specialty shops to grocery stores. Pukalani will be cultivating a more pedestrian-friendly atmosphere as they will incorporate their beautiful climate as part of the shopping experience. This will be done by offering more stores with big windows and comfortable park benches. Despite being small and unassuming, Pukalani is generating more and more awareness from people, and it will only take a matter of time before this community will be Maui's real estate heavyweight.
Pukalani Statistics:
Population: 7,380Households: 2,439
Median resident age: 36.9 years
Median household income: $62,778
Median house value: $260,100
Land area: 4.4 square miles
Elevation: 1622 feet
Latitude: 20°50'N
Longitude: 156°20'W
Zip code: 96788
County: Maui
