A planned residential community - an aerial near Pearl City, Oahu, Hawaii

Pearl City, Hawaii

Pearl City is a small Census-designated place and an unincorporated community situated in the Ewa District and Honolulu County on O’ahu Island in the US State of Hawaii. Pearl City is placed along the northern shores of Pearl Harbor, which is the location of one of the most well-known tragic events of World War II, the Pearl Harbor Attack. Pearl City attracts thousands of visitors per year, just like other well-known Hawaiian cities.

Geography And Climate Of Pearl City

Aerial view of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii
Aerial view of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. 

Pearl City covers a total area of 26.04 sq. km, of which 23.62 sq. km is occupied by land, and 2.42 sq. km is covered by water. Pearl City occupies a significant portion of the Pearl Harbor shoreline and is located approximately 11 miles northwest of the city center of Honolulu. Early Hawaiians gave the location the name Pu'uloa, which means "long hill." The long lush hills close to the harbor have developed into a popular location for cattle grazing. Pearl City is bordered by Waimalu to the east and Waipahu to the west.

The climate in Pearl City is subtropical. Distinguished by mild temperatures, clear skies, and windy weather all year long, it averages highs of 87°F during the summer. From late June to mid-October, the hot season only lasts for about 3 and a half months. The winters, however, are lengthy and often pleasant, with an average temperature of 73°F lasting about 3.7 months, from mid-December to April. 

Brief History Of Pearl City 

USS California lists after aerial blows taken during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
USS California lists after aerial blows taken during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. 

The native Pacific Islander tribes first settled here, as they did with all other Hawaiian cities, in the 12th century. Before European and American explorers, sailors and missionaries arrived, local monarchs governed the area for hundreds of years. Rice, in particular, was essential to early Pearl City's agricultural economy.

The inhabitants planted a variety of rice fields and paddies, which they then plowed using water buffaloes. Throughout the Civil War, the Americans and the Hawaiians worked together to restrain sugar output and ship transit. Even before Hawaii's annexation by the United States, its cities, including Pearl City, made major contributions to the nation's economy. In 1875, the Americans and Hawaiians established a free trade agreement known as the Reciprocity Treaty.  

Pearl City was also the terminus stop for Benjamin Franklin Dillingham's Oahu Railway, a four-horse team-pulled mud wagon, in the early 1880s. In the early 1900s, people enjoyed visiting Remond Grove, a place close to Pearl City where they could hear piano, banjo, trumpet, and saxophone performances.The entire region was later bought and sold by American businessmen in 1889. Currenly, Pearl Harbor remains an active military base, making Pearl City a common destination for military families.

Population And Economy Of Pearl City

Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Battleship anchored to commemorate Japanese air raid on Pearl Harbor during World War II, at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Editorial credit: Stock for you / Shutterstock.com

As per the latest US Census, Pearl City has a population of 45,159 inhabitants. The top ethnic groups in Pearl City are Asian (Non-Hispanic) at 51.4%, Two and more races (Non-Hispanic) at 19.9%, White (Non-Hispanic) at 11.7%, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (Non-Hispanic) at 5.63%, and Two and more races (Hispanic) at 4.77%. Pearl City has a median household income of $101,517 and a median property value of $691,900. The economy of Pearl City employs 20,800 people. The biggest industries in Pearl City include Health Care & Social Assistance, Public Administration, and Retail Trade.

Attractions In Pearl City

Visitors look out from the memorial sited over the wreck of battleship USS Arizona
Visitors look out from the memorial sited over the wreck of battleship USS Arizona, which sank during the Japanese attack with the loss of 1177 lives. Editorial credit: PomInOz / Shutterstock.com

Today, Pearl City is a common destination for military families, resulting in a diverse mix between locals and the military. However, many tourists visit each year for a variety of reasons.The main attraction is Pearl Harbor's USS Memorial, honoring the 1177 military personnel who died in the attack of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Exhibitions, film tributes, and a voyage to the sunken warship in the port are all included in the tour. Pearl City also offers plenty of theaters, amusement parks and retail stores. There are also multiple grocery stores selling solely natural and vegetarian cuisine to customers. Aside from the historical places and the good food, it is also a great place for vacation as the city is right in the middle of the island, making it easy to commute to the attractions around it. 

Pearl City remains a very important piece of American history, and it is worth discovering the many ways it has healed itself after a devastating attack. It is a place where people from all around come together to pay tribute. 

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