Waimānalo, Hawaii

Waimānalo
Census-designated place
The southern view of Makapu'u Beach Park, looking north from Kalanianaʻole Highway in March 2007.
Location in Honolulu County and the state of Hawaii
Traditional Ahupuaa Waimānalo (easternmost)
Coordinates: 21°20′45″N157°43′5″W / 21.34583°N 157.71806°W / 21.34583; -157.71806
Country	United States
State	Hawaii
County	Honolulu
Area [1]
• Total	4.36 sq mi (11.29 km2)
• Land	4.36 sq mi (11.29 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	30 ft (9 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	6,057
• Density	1,389.86/sq mi (536.60/km2)
ZIP code	96795 [2]
Area code	808
FIPS code	15-78050

Waimānalo (Hawaiian pronunciation: [vɐjmaːˈnɐlo] ^ⓘ ) is a census-designated place (CDP) in the District of Koʻolaupoko, in the City & County of Honolulu, on the island of Oʻahu, Hawaii, United States. This small windward community is located near the eastern end of the island. In the Hawaiian language Waimānalo means "potable water"; it is so named for the many brackish ponds in the area that were used for irrigation. As of the 2020 census, the CDP had a population of 6,057.

About 1000 meters east of Waimānalo is the neighborhood of Waimānalo Beach. Waimānalo has a small commercial center along Kalanianaʻole Highway, but is separated from the shoreline and Waimānalo Beach (the longest stretch of sandy shoreline on Oʻahu) by Bellows Air Force Station. Waimānalo is noteworthy for its local flavor and large agricultural lots in the valley that extend back towards the Koʻolau from the center of town. Numerous plant nurseries are found in this area. There are no hotels in Waimānalo. ^[3]

Waimānalo is the site of Sea Life Park, located near Hawaiʻi Kai on Kalanianaole Highway. The U.S. postal code for Waimānalo is 96795.

Geography

Waimānalo is located at 21°20′45″N157°43′5″W / 21.34583°N 157.71806°W / 21.34583; -157.71806 . The nearest towns are Kailua to the west, and Waimānalo Beach to the east. Waimanalo Beach is located within the traditional Ahupuaa of Waimānalo. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 4.4 square miles (11.3 km²), all of it land. ^[4]

Climate

Climate data for Waimānalo, Hawaii (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1907–present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	89 (32)	89 (32)	89 (32)	92 (33)	93 (34)	94 (34)	96 (36)	92 (33)	95 (35)	95 (35)	90 (32)	90 (32)	96 (36)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	78.2 (25.7)	78.0 (25.6)	78.5 (25.8)	79.9 (26.6)	81.4 (27.4)	83.3 (28.5)	84.4 (29.1)	85.0 (29.4)	85.3 (29.6)	84.1 (28.9)	81.6 (27.6)	79.1 (26.2)	81.6 (27.6)
Daily mean °F (°C)	71.5 (21.9)	71.7 (22.1)	72.6 (22.6)	74.4 (23.6)	75.8 (24.3)	78.0 (25.6)	79.1 (26.2)	79.7 (26.5)	79.5 (26.4)	78.3 (25.7)	76.0 (24.4)	73.5 (23.1)	75.8 (24.3)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	64.8 (18.2)	65.4 (18.6)	66.7 (19.3)	68.9 (20.5)	70.1 (21.2)	72.7 (22.6)	73.7 (23.2)	74.3 (23.5)	73.7 (23.2)	72.6 (22.6)	70.5 (21.4)	67.8 (19.9)	70.1 (21.2)
Record low °F (°C)	52 (11)	52 (11)	54 (12)	55 (13)	56 (13)	62 (17)	64 (18)	65 (18)	59 (15)	58 (14)	56 (13)	54 (12)	52 (11)
Average rainfall inches (mm)	4.79 (122)	4.45 (113)	5.40 (137)	3.26 (83)	2.43 (62)	1.26 (32)	1.86 (47)	1.97 (50)	2.62 (67)	3.54 (90)	5.40 (137)	5.45 (138)	42.43 (1,078)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.01 in)	15.7	12.9	15.3	12.6	11.7	11.0	14.6	13.2	13.3	14.1	15.9	18.7	169.0
Source: NOAA [5] [6]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
2020	6,057		—
U.S. Decennial Census [7]

As of the census ^[8] of 2000, there were 3,664 people, 849 households, and 751 families in the CDP. The population density was 9,319.0 inhabitants per square mile (3,598.1/km²). There were 904 housing units at an average density of 2,299.2 per square mile (887.7/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 10.84% White, 0.16% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 26.80% Asian, 24.73% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 37.01% from two or more races. 10.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 849 households, 38.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 21.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 11.5% were non-families. 8.5% of households were one person, and 3.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 4.31 and the average family size was 4.42.

In the community 31.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 10.7% was from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% 65 or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.

The median household income was $47,594 and the median family income was $43,347. Males had a median income of $28,036 versus $21,621 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $12,493. 8.1% of the population and 5.9% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.6% of those under the age of 18 and 5.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Tourism

Waimanalo is the home of Sea Life Park, a marine biology and sea-life attraction located near Makapu'u Beach. ^{[9] [10]} Japanese sumo grand champion, Chad Rowan (aka Akebono) was born in Waimanalo. ^[11] A large statue of Akebono stands at the Waimanalo Shopping Center and serves as a tourist photo opportunity. ^[12]

Notable residents

• Richard Chamberlain, actor known for playing Dr. Kildare in the series by that name, died here in 2025. ^[13]
• Sasha Colby, drag performer and winner of Season 15 of RuPaul's Drag Race ^[14]
• Magnum P.I., the character from the eponymous TV series lived in Waimanalo. ^[15]
• Tetairoa McMillan, wide receiver for the Arizona Wildcats and Carolina Panthers first round pick, winner of the 2022 Polynesian Football Player of the Year Award ^[16]
• Chad Rowan, better known as Akebono, the 64th and first non-Japanese sumo wrestler to reach the highest rank of yokozuna in 1993 ^{[17] [18]}
• Barack Hussein Obama, former President Barack Hussein Obama has a house in Waimanalo. ^[19]
• Gabby Pahinui ^{[18] [20]} and his son Cyril Pahinui, ^[21] both renowned slack-key guitarists.

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
2. "Waimanalo HI ZIP Code". zipdatamaps.com. 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
3. "Rebuilding a Hawaiian Kingdom". Los Angeles Times. July 21, 2005. Archived from the original on January 2, 2015. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
4. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Waimanalo CDP, Hawaii". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 31, 2012.
5. "NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
6. "Station: Waimanalo EXP F 795.1, HI". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
7. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
8. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
9. "Sea Life Park Hawaii, Marine Attraction, Oahu". Hawaiiweb.com. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
10. Davis, Chelsea (June 7, 2015). "Protesters rally against Sea Life Park Hawaii - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL". Hawaiinewsnow.com. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
11. Panek, Mark (2006). Gaijin yokozuna : a biography of Chad Rowan . Honolulu, HI: University of Hawai'i Press. p.  2. ISBN   9780824830434. OCLC   64289275 . Retrieved October 15, 2015. Akebono Tarō Chad Rowan Waimānalo.
12. "Six reasons to visit the Windward Oahu town of Waimanalo". Hawaiimagazine.com. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
13. "TV actor Richard Chamberlain dies in Waimānalo home at age 90". Hawai'i Public Radio. The Associated Press. April 1, 2025. Archived from the original on July 26, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
14. Macedonio, Cameron (April 22, 2025). "Hawaiian superstar Sasha Colby to embark on North American tour". KHON2. Archived from the original on July 20, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
15. Dziemianowicz, Joe (March 25, 2023). "Inside the Robin's Nest: Why the Original Magnum P.I. House Was Demolished". NBC. Archived from the original on August 21, 2024. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
16. McInnis, Brian (April 24, 2025). "Waimanalo native McMillan taken No. 8 by Carolina Panthers in NFL Draft". spectrumlocalnews.com. Archived from the original on April 26, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
17. Chinen, Kyle (April 12, 2024). "They knew him as Chad, the skinny Waimanalo kid who grew up to be a sumo legend". Hawaii News Now. Archived from the original on April 12, 2024. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
18. Ariyoshi, Rita (2014). National geographic traveler. Hawaii. [2014]. National Geographic Traveler (Firm). Washington, D.C.: National Geographic. p.  101. ISBN   978-1-4262-1250-5. OCLC   1011750063.
19. Livingston, Sandy Harjo (March 14, 2025). "10 facts about Obama's $18M Hawaiʻi beachfront mansion". khon2.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
20. "Gabby Pahinui". EBSCO Information Services, Inc. April 22, 1921. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
21. Pareles, Jon (December 1, 2018). "Cyril Pahinui, Who Carried a Hawaiian Guitar Legacy, Dies at 68". The New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2025.

External links

• Waimānalo ahupuaʻa - non-commercial community site