Wailuku at a Glance
Wailuku was once the center of power and
the home of great Hawaiian chiefs. In 1790, it was the site of the victory of King Kamehameha’s army from the Big Island and the defeat of Maui’s
King Kahekeli II’s army in the battles of Kepaniwai and Iao Valley.
As a result of the clash, many people died, bloodying and damming
the valley’s river with corpses. The place of death was then named
Wailuku, which means “waters of destruction.”
In the mid-1800s, Christian missionaries started to arrive and
settle in Wailuku, bringing with them their religious beliefs,
culture and agricultural methods. Some local Hawaiian royalties
helped propagate Christian beliefs, including King Kamehameha I’s
wife, Queen Kaahumanu.
In 1876, the Kaahumanu Church was built in
her honor. The church stands next to the home of Edward Bailey, the
missionary and artist who designed the church. Today, the Bailey
House serves as a museum, showcasing artifacts from the old
Hawaii and its missionary days, and also artworks of Bailey.
Truly a place of interesting historical events, Wailuku is also
the birthplace of Hawaii’s sugar industry. By the 1860s, the town was
bustling with sugar production. In 1905, Wailuku was designated as
the county seat of Hawaii.
Today, Wailuku no longer has the hustle and bustle of its early
days. What it continues to offer its visitors is
rich history and culture. Houses and structures are architectural
bearers of Wailuku’s New England and Art Deco heritage. And its
12,296 residents, just as well, reflect the diverse ancestry of
Wailuku - 42.08% are Asians, 11.70% are Caucasians, 7.75% Latinos
and 26.28% from two or more races.
Wailuku’s zip code is 96793.
Wailuku in Bullet Points
- Town with a rich history
- Buildings reflect Wailuku’s New England and Art Deco heritage
Wailuku Location
Northern part of Maui, about 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Kahului
Wailuku Map (top)
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Wailuku Weather (top)
Now
74°F
Windchill:
74°F
Mostly Cloudy
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Location: Wailuku, HI, US
Wind: 18 mph NE
Humidity: 50%
Visibility: 0.1 mi
Pressure: 30.12 in steady
Sunrise: 6:30 am
Sunset: 6:36 pm
|
Fri
Hi: 77°F
Low: 64°F
Scattered Showers
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Sat
Hi: 80°F
Low: 65°F
Partly Cloudy
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Wailuku Photos (click to enlarge) (top)
Wailuku Reviews and Comments (top)
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