Maui County, officially the County of Maui, is a county in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It consists of the islands of Maui, Lānai, Molokai (except for a portion of Molokai that comprises Kalawao County), Kahoolawe, and Molokini. The latter two are uninhabited. As of the 2020 census, the population was 164,754. The county seat is Wailuku.
Maui County is included in the Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Government
Maui County has a quasi-mayor-council form of municipal government. Unlike traditional municipal governments, the county government is established by the state legislature by statute and is not chartered. Executive authority is vested in the mayor, elected by the voters on a nonpartisan basis to a four-year term (with a limit of two consecutive full terms). Legislative authority is vested in the nine-member county council. All seats in the county council have residency requirements, but all Maui County voters may vote in elections for all nine seats regardless of residence. Members of the county council are elected on a nonpartisan basis to two-year terms (with a limit of five consecutive full terms).
The mayor of Maui County is Mike Victorino, serving since January 2, 2019. Victorino was a member of the county council from 2007 to 2017.
The county's Department of Liquor Control regulates and enforces state and county laws regarding the manufacture, importation, sale and consumption of intoxicating liquors.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (51.6%) is water. The islands that comprise Maui County correspond to the remnants of the ancient landmass of Maui Nui. The highest point in the county is the peak of Haleakalā at . Haleakalā is a shield volcano located on the eastern side of the island of Maui.
Adjacent counties
Hawaii County, Hawaii - southeast
Kalawao County, Hawaii - north
Honolulu County, Hawaii - northwest
National protected areas
Haleakalā National Park
Kakahaia National Wildlife Refuge
Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
Kalaupapa National Historical Park
Demographics
As of the 2000 Census, there were 128,094 people, 43,507 households, and 29,889 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile (43/km2). There were 56,377 housing units at an average density of 49 per square mile (19/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 33.01% Asian, 28.90% White, 22.24% from two or more races, 10.72% Pacific Islander, 1.40% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American and 1.36% from other races. 7.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 43,507 households, out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.90% were married couples living together, 12.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 21.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.41.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.50% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 30.90% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 11.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.20 males.
2020 religion census
Maui County is among the most religiously diverse counties in the US. A 2020 census by the Public Religion Research Institute (unconnected to the official US census) calculates a religious diversity score of 0.867 for Maui County, where 1 represents complete diversity (each religious group of equal size) and 0 a total lack of diversity. Only eight counties in the US have higher diversity scores than Maui County, half of which are in New York City.
Economy
Top employers
According to the county's 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the county are:
Transportation
Airports
Three airports provide air service to the island of Maui:
Hana Airport provides regional service to eastern Maui
Kahului Airport in central Maui is the island's busiest airport
Kapalua Airport provides regional service to western Maui
There are also airports on Maui's smaller adjacent islands:
Lānai Airport provides regional service to Lānai
Molokai Airport provides regional service to Molokai
Major highways
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Communities
Census-designated places
Haiku-Pauwela
Haliimaile
Hana
Kaanapali
Kahului
Kapalua
Kaunakakai
Keokea
Kihei
Kualapuu
Kula
Lahaina
Lanai City
Launiupoko
Maalaea
Mahinahina
Makawao
Makena
Manele
Maunaloa
Napili-Honokowai
Olowalu
Paia
Pukalani
Ualapue
Waihee-Waiehu
Waikapu
Wailea
Wailuku
Unincorporated communities
Haiku
Kaumalapau
Keanae
Kīpahulu
Napili
Olinda
Puunēnē
Spreckelsville
Waihee
Wailua
Former communities
Waikola
Politics
Maui County was the only county in the United States won by Dennis Kucinich during his unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic Party nomination to the presidency in 2004.
Sister cities
Maui County's sister cities are:
American Samoa
Arequipa, Peru
Bacarra, Philippines
Badoc, Philippines
Cabugao, Philippines
Easter Island, Chile
Embo, Scotland, United Kingdom
Fukuyama, Japan
Funchal, Portugal
Goyang, South Korea
Hachijō, Japan
Manila, Philippines
Pingtung, Taiwan
Puerto Princesa, Philippines
Quezon City, Philippines
Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
San Juan, Philippines
Santa, Philippines
Sanya, China
São Miguel Island, Portugal
Sarrat, Philippines
Zambales, Philippines
