Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan - U.S. Fish and Wildlife ...

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
medicinal plants. The most likely cultural resources on the Unit include roads, watering facilities,
fences, paddocks, and logging sites (Raymond and Valentine 2007, USFWS 2008).
5.2.10 Special Designation Areas
The Pua ‘Ākala Cabin has been nominated for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.
If the nomination is accepted, the cabin will continue to be maintained and managed by Refuge staff
in accordance with guidelines provided by the National Register of Historic Places and the Secretary
of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation.
5.3 Social and Economic Conditions
The purpose of this section is to address the local economy and social environment surrounding the
two units of the Hakalau Forest NWR, including population estimates and economic indicators. Both
of the Refuge units are located on the Island of Hawai‘i within the County of Hawai‘i. The Island of
Hawai‘i is divided into nine districts. The HFU is located in both the North Hilo District and the
South Hilo District. The KFU is located in the South Kona District of Hawai‘i County.
5.3.1 Population
The total resident population of the Hawaiian Islands in 2008 was 1,288,198. The Island of Hawai‘i
is home to 13.6 percent of this total, or 175,784 individuals (HDBEDT 2009). Within its
4,028.02 mi 2 , the Island of Hawai‘i has an average resident population density of 36.9 persons per
mi 2 . If tourists and visitors are included in the total island population, the average density increases to
41.5 persons per mi 2 (County of Hawai‘i 2007). In comparison, the average density of the State
during the same year was 189 persons per mi 2 . The median age of the Hawai‘i Island population in
2006 was 37.7 years (County of Hawai‘i 2007).
The majority of the resident population on Hawai‘i Island lives in the District of South Hilo. In 2000,
approximately 47,386 residents lived in the 394.38 mi 2 district. The density of South Hilo is
estimated to be 120.2 persons per mi 2 . The North Hilo District had a much smaller population with
1,720 residents in 2000. The density of this area is about 4.6 persons per mi 2 . The Hilo Community
Development Plan (CDP) area is the most populated area on the island, with an estimated population
of 40,759 individuals in 2000 (County of Hawai‘i 2007).
Approximately 8,589 individuals resided in South Kona in 2000, a 12.2 percent increase from 1990.
This district houses 25.6 persons per mi 2 . Adjacent districts have also witnessed a dramatic increase
in population. The resident population of Puna has increased noticeably, jumping from
11,751 individuals in 1980 to 31,335 in 2000. Kailua-Kona, located approximately 23 mi north of the
Kona Forest Unit, is the largest town on the west side of the island. The CDPs located nearest the
KFU are Captain Cook, Hōnaunau-Napo‘opo‘o, and Kealakekua. The average densities (persons per
mi 2 ) of these areas in 2000 were 263.7, 63.5, and 218.2, respectively (County of Hawai‘i 2007).
Population figures for selected districts and CDPs are listed in Table 5-3.
The ethnic composition of the County of Hawai‘i is diverse. In 2006, the County was comprised of
37 percent Caucasian, 24.3 percent Asian, 10.8 percent Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander,
5-20 Chapter 5. Social and Economic Environment