Keaʻau, Hawaii
Census-designated place in Hawaii, U.S.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Keaʻau is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hawaiʻi County, Hawaii. located in the District of Puna. The population was 1,195 at the time of the 2020 census. The population decreased by roughly 50% from 2,253 at the time of the 2010 census.[2]
Keaʻau | |
|---|---|
Location in Hawaiʻi County and the state of Hawaii | |
| Coordinates: 19°37′16″N 155°2′30″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Hawaii |
| County | Hawaiʻi |
| Area | |
• Total | 6.27 sq mi (16.25 km2) |
| • Land | 6.27 sq mi (16.25 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 341 ft (104 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 1,195 |
| • Density | 190.5/sq mi (73.56/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-10 (Hawaii-Aleutian) |
| ZIP code | 96749 |
| Area code | 808 |
| FIPS code | 15-32900 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0360892 |
History
Geography
Keaʻau is on the east side of the island of Hawaiʻi at 19°37′16″N 155°2′30″W (19.621072, -155.041706).[5] It is bordered to the southwest by Kurtistown. Hilo is 8 miles (13 km) to the north. The junction of Hawaii Route 11 (the Hawaii Belt Road) and Hawaii Route 130 (Keaau-Pahoa Road) is in the northern part of the community. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.7 km2), all of it land.[6]
The Board on Geographic Names officially designated the populated place as Keaʻau in 2003.[7]
Demographics
2010 Census data
At the 2010 census there were 2,253 people in 701 households residing in the CDP. The population density was 901.2 inhabitants per square mile (348.0/km2). There were 757 housing units at an average density of 302.8 per square mile (116.9/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 12.38% White, 0.22% African American, 0.18% American Indian & Alaska Native, 52.02% Asian, 7.50% Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 27.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.74%.[2][9]
Of the 701 households, 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them. The average household size was 3.21.[2]
In the Keaʻau CDP the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 9.6% from 25 to 34, 19.6 from 35 to 49, 20.4% from 50 to 64, and 17.2% 65 or older. For every 100 females, there were 99.6 males. For every 100 males there were 100.4 females.[2]
The median household income was $39,722 and the median family income in 2000 was $43,347. Males had a median income in 2000 of $27,344 versus $23,287 for females. The per capita income for the CDP in 2000 was $14,657. About 9.6% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line in 2000, including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.
Education

The statewide school district is the Hawaii State Department of Education, and it covers Hawaii County.[10] Area schools include:
- Keaʻau High School - Opened in 1999[11]
- Keaʻau Middle School[12]
- Keaʻau Elementary School[13]
The Hawaii State Public Library System operates the Keaau Public and School Library.[14]
Points of interest
- Hiʻiaka's Healing Herb Garden
- Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation visitors center between Hilo and Keaʻau[15]
