Hanapepe or Hanapēpē is a historic, unincorporated community in Kauai County, Hawaii, United States. The name means "crushed bay" in Hawaiian, which may refer to landslides in the area. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Hanapepe as a census-designated place (CDP). The population was 2,678 at the 2020 census, up from 2,153 at the 2000 census. History Hanapepe was one of the locations visited by the United States Exploring Expedition under Charles Wilkes; the expedition arrived in Hawaii in late September 1840 and spent some time in the islands. It is one of the few towns on the island that was not created by the sugarcane plantations. In 1924, an armed labor dispute involving sugar workers occurred, ending in the Hanapepe massacre. Geography Hanapepe is located on the southern side of the island of Kauai. It is bordered to the east, across the Hanapēpē River and Hanapepe Bay, by the community of Eleele. Hawaii Route 50 passes through the southern part of Hanapepe, leading east to Lihue and northwest to Waimea. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Hanapepe as a census-designated place (CDP). The census definition of the area may not precisely correspond to local understanding of the area with the same name. The Hanapepe CDP has a total area of , of which are land, and , or 9.43%, are water. Demographics As of the census of 2000, there were 2,153 people, 706 households, and 533 families residing in the CDP. The population density was . There were 757 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the CDP was 16.0% White, 0.1% African American, 0.3% Native American, 48.6% Asian, 8.5% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 26.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.6% of the population. There were 706 households, out of which 41.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.4% were non-families. 19.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 3.54. In the CDP the population was spread out, with 32.0% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to