Kapalua, Hawaii is located in the northwestern part of the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands, Maui, at the foot of the western Maui Mountains. The whole of the Kapalua area is 5.23 miles. Kapula means "embracing the sea'' in an ancient local tongue.
The roughly 500 residents of the area live in 146 household units. 52% of the inhabitants are female. The median age is just under 42 years, a few years above the median for Hawaii on the whole. The median home value currently is estimated at $875,000
Despite the small population, residents include people of American, Latin American, European and Asian backgrounds as well as local Pacific Islanders. The cultural mix has led to mutual respect and has assisted in the local culture's successful continuity.
This town is the western tip of the north shore of white sand beach resort areas. Lines of sea cliffs hover the beaches and their clear waters here.
The first native Hawaiian settlers here came by boat, according to oral histories passed down to date. It is said that the beauty here soon attracted poets and other artists and local royal groups. An English Missionary here, Dwight Baldwin was given land holdings in 1836. These lands grew and eventually became a large pineapple farm and cannery. Today the main industry is tourism with a number of big resorts here as well as real estate.
Roughly 1,650 acres of Kapalua are resort area while 23,000 acres is dedicated to agriculture.
Local crafts and artwork are also receiving growing investment in direct relation to the market produced by tourism here. Local fishermen here continue to sell their catches to the hotels in the area and fruit orchards and agribusiness are also present in this small area.
There are 3 beaches on the Kapalua Bay, all with white sand. The bay water is calm due to natural rock formations. Abundant lush green flora and flowers dot the landscape.
There is a rainforest that can be explored here and a protected marine life conservation district, as well as an ancient burial ground.
Beach hotels provide for fine dining right at the beach. The Kapalua Wine and Food Symposium is an annual event that brings wine and food connoisseurs from around the globe.
There are several golf courses in Kapalua, Hawaii that are home to international golfing tournaments. Free tennis courts and jogging lanes are also here for public use.
The town is home to a one runway commercial airport. Kapalua is also on 3 of the 5 bus routes operated by Maui County.
Between the year 2000 and 2007 median home values more than doubled here. The cost of living is well above the U.S. average.
New luxury residences have been under construction in the area in recent years. Population density is roughly 300 people per square mile in Kapalua, Hawaii.
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