Калаўао округі: Гавайи штатындағы ең кішкентай округ

County in Hawaii, United States

Kalawao County is a county in the U. S. state of Hawaii. It is the smallest county in the 50 states by land area and the second smallest county by population, after Loving County, Texas. The county encompasses the Kalaupapa or Makanalua Peninsula, on the north coast of the island of Molokai. The small peninsula is isolated from the rest of Molokai by cliffs over a quarter mile high; the only land access is a mule trail. Because of the small population (82 as of the 2020 United States Census), Kalawao County does not have the same functions as other Hawaii counties. Instead, it is a judicial district of Maui County, which includes the rest of the island of Molokai. The county has no elected government. It was developed and used from 1866 to 1969 for settlements for treatment of quarantined persons with Hansen's disease (leprosy).

The Kingdom of Hawaii, the Republic of Hawaii, the Territory of Hawaii, and the state of Hawaii all exiled persons suffering from Hansen's disease (leprosy) to the peninsula, from 1866 to 1969. The quarantine policy was only lifted after effective antibiotic treatments were developed that could be administered on an outpatient basis and patients could be rendered non contagious. Many residents chose to remain in their familiar community on the peninsula. The state promised that they could live there for the rest of their lives. As of 2015, the population consisted of the remaining patients, plus state employees and park staff. Tourists 16 years of age and older and personal guests of residents may visit with prior government permission, and the general public must be part of an official tour. The Mayor holds executive powers within the county; the mayor also appoints a county sheriff, who is selected from local residents. The only county statutes that apply to Kalawao County directly are those on matters of health. Kalawao is part of the First Judicial Circuit, which includes the entire island of Oahu. For the purpose of notarization, the designated venue for the First Judicial Circuit is "State of Hawaii, City and County of Honolulu."

According to the U. S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 53 square miles (137 km2), comprising 12 square miles (31 km2) of land and 41 square miles (106 km2) (77.3%) of water. By land area, it is the smallest true county in the United States; some independent cities in Virginia are smaller and are sometimes considered to be "county equivalents" for statistical purposes such as with the US Census Bureau.

Kalaupapa Peninsula contains the county's only settlement, Kalaupapa. The Kalaupapa Peninsula developed from lava that erupted from the ocean floor near Kauhakō Crater and spread outward, forming a low shield volcano. This was the most recent volcanic episode on the island and of the larger East Molokai shield volcano, occurring after the formation of the cliffs by erosion.

Kalawao County is composed of four ahupuaʻa. From west to east:
Ahupuaʻa Areami2 Areakm2 PopulationDescription Kalaupapa 2.079 5.385 65West side of Kalaupapa peninsula. Includes a section of Molokaʻi's coast further west Makanalua 3.229 8.363 8Strip of land in the center of the peninsula that runs to its northern tip. Includes Kalaupapa Airport. Kalawao 3.294 8.531 9Eastern coast of Kalaupapa peninsula and Waialeia Valley to the southeast Waikolu 5.544 14.359 0Includes namesake valley. Uninhabited. Kalawao County 14.146 36.638 82

As of the census of 2000, 147 people, 115 households, and 21 families resided in the county, declining to 90 inhabitants in 2010. The population density was The 172 housing units produced an average density of The racial makeup of the county was 48% Pacific Islander, 26% White, 17% Asian, 3% from other races, and 6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race made up 4%. Kalawao County has the highest Pacific Islander population percentage of any U. S. county, and is the only county where they make up a plurality. 2% of households housed children under the age of 18. 17% were married couples living together. 3% had a female householder with no husband present. 81% were non families. 79% of all households were made up of individuals, and 31% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.28 and the average family size was 2.27. 2% of residents were under the age of 18, 1% from 18 to 24, 18% from 25 to 44, 46% from 45 to 64, and 32% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 59 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.6 males. The population has declined since 1900:

Current residents include 16 former patients, 40 federal employees who work on preservation projects, and some state employed health workers.

The only access to Kalawao County is by air, or by a steep mule trail that descends from the rest of Molokai. Kalaupapa Airport has scheduled air service to Molokai Airport and to Honolulu Airport. Freight is delivered to the county once a year, usually in July, by barge.

The county is within the Hawaii Department of Education school district.