Map of Kukuihaele CDP

Kukuihaele is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hawaiʻi County, Hawaiʻi, United States. The population was 281 at the 2020 census.

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Kukuihaele location map. Where is Kukuihaele CDP?

History

Kukuihaele is the site of the original Hawaiian Island stand of cinchona trees, from which quinine is made. It was planted by David McHattie Forbes in the early 1900s.

Kukuihaele was known in ancient Hawaii as “the land of many heiau” (temples). During the migratory period of Hawaii, a healing priest (Kahuna la’au lapa’au) lived here and trained many to become healers. His name was, Kamakanui’ahailono. Most of the heiau, except for one, were destroyed by sugar planters.

Kukuihaele Road Map

Kukuihaele city Satellite Map

Geography

Kukuihaele is located on the north side of the island of Hawaii at 20°7′10″N 155°34′16″W / 20.11944°N 155.57111°W / 20.11944; -155.57111 (20.119536, -155.571160). It sits at an elevation of 730 feet (220 m) atop cliffs overlooking Waipio Bay. Hawaii Route 240 passes through the southern part of the community, ending less than 1 mile (1.6 km) to the west at an overlook into the Waipio Valley, and leading east 7 miles (11 km) to Honokaa. Hilo is 50 miles (80 km) to the southeast.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Kukuihaele CDP has a total area of 2.3 square miles (5.9 km), of which 1.7 square miles (4.4 km) are land and 0.58 square miles (1.5 km), or 25.30%, are water.

See also