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Hawaiian Gardens, California
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Hawaiian Gardens is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is the smallest city in the county (approximately 1.0 mi˛) and was incorporated on April 9, 1964. The population was 14,779 at the 2000 census. The town's unusual name originated in a 1920s-era refreshment stand that was decorated with palm fronds and bamboo. It was the then-rural area's main landmark for many years, and its name stuck as the small town grew up around it.
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Encyclopedia
Hawaiian Gardens is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is the smallest city in the county (approximately 1.0 mi˛) and was incorporated on April 9, 1964. The population was 14,779 at the 2000 census. The town's unusual name originated in a 1920s-era refreshment stand that was decorated with palm fronds and bamboo. It was the then-rural area's main landmark for many years, and its name stuck as the small town grew up around it. As one of seven Los Angeles County cities that allow casino gambling, more than $9.2 million (65%) of the city's revenue comes from Hawaiian Gardens Casino, a card club.
Geography
Hawaiian Gardens is located at (33.828565, -118.073646). It is bounded by the Los Angeles County cities of Long Beach and Lakewood, and by the Orange County cities of Cypress and Los Alamitos.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.5 km˛ (1.0 mi˛). 2.5 km˛ (1.0 mi˛) of it is land and 0.1 km˛ (0.04 mi˛) of it (2.04%) is water. Hawaiian Gardens is the smallest city in area in Los Angeles County.
Origin of name
The name Hawaiian Gardens is said to be derived of a bamboo shack refreshment stand opened at the corner of Carson and Norwalk boulevards in 1927. The stand was said to resemble a Hawaiian garden. The stand attracted a lot of business. The city grew with the increased productivity and tourism. The Hawaiian Gardens logo is a palm tree.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,779 people, 3,507 households, and 2,868 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,944.0/km˛ (15,389.5/mi˛). There were 3,624 housing units at an average density of 1,457.5/km˛ (3,773.7/mi˛). The racial makeup of the city was 38.24% White, 4.45% Black or African American, 1.28% Native American, 8.80% Asian, 0.74% Pacific Islander, 41.65% from other races, and 4.85% from two or more races. 73.54% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,507 households out of which 52.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 19.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.2% were non-families. 14.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.21 and the average family size was 4.52.
In the city the population was spread out with 36.8% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 14.4% from 45 to 64, and 6.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females there were 104.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,500, and the median income for a family was $31,840. Males had a median income of $21,074 versus $20,643 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,728. About 19.8% of families and 22.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.4% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over.
Residents
The residents of Hawaiian Gardens are known for being a small community with a small town attitude where everyone knows everyone. Most residents take pride in the city because of this attitude. The majority of the Hispanic population attend St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church. The majority of the town's children attend the annual Hawaiian Gardens Christmas Carnival at the city hall which is sponsored by the Hawaiian Gardens Casino, who also helps sponsor little league baseball, youth soccer, and other various sports for children. The city also holds the annual Native American Friendship Pow Wow, haunted house and activities at city hall during Holloween time, and various other events centered around holidays.
Government and infrastructure
Fire protection in Hawaiian Gardens is provided by the Los Angeles County Fire Department with ambulance transport by Care Ambulance Service. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department provides law enforcement, utilizing the Lakewood Sheriff's Station.
In the early 1990s, the City of Hawaiian Gardens, concerned about being serviced from Lakewood, created its own police department, which lasted four years due to increasing pressure from the casino's owner (Irving Moskowitz), who preferred the sheriff's contract over local control.. Also, the police chief at the time, Walter McKinney, had spent the entire years budget within the first three months of the new fiscal year, leaving the department broke, and police activity handed over to the Lakewood Sherrifs.
In the state legislature Hawaiian Gardens is located in the 27th Senate District, represented by Democrat Alan Lowenthal, and in the 56th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Tony Mendoza. Federally, Hawaiian Gardens is located in California's 39th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +13 and is represented by Democrat Linda Sánchez.
The United States Postal Service Hawaiian Gardens Post Office is located at 21101 Norwalk Boulevard.
Gangs
Hawaiian Gardens is notoriously known for its severe gang problems within the community. Hawaiian Gardens 13 is a well known gang originating in H.G. The rival gang of Hawaiian Gardens 13 is the "rats" of Artesia 13 and the "Chavas." An estimated 3.6% of residents in Hawaiian Gardens are gang members, gang associated or gang injucted. More than any other city in the Los Angeles County. Hawaiian Gardens gets an average of 18 auto thefts, 7 assaults, and 4 burgleries per month. The Lakewood Sheriffs Department is assigned to the city.
On July 24, 2005 Deputy Luis Gerardo (Jerry) Ortiz of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department was shot down by Jose Luis Orozco; a gang member from Hawaiian Gardens 13. The entire city was placed on a mandatory lockdown. Orozco was charged with murder of a peace officer. Since then a special gang task force has been assigned to the city.
Education
Hawaiian Gardens is within the ABC Unified School District.
Elementary schools within Hawaiian gardens include:
Middle schools within Hawaiian Gardens include:
- (Formerly called Killingsworth Junior High School)
Residents are zoned to the following high schools:
See also
- South Central Los Angeles
- [IMG]http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s192/ihatethatnigguh/hg-1.jpg[/IMG]
- [IMG]http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1/kegonzalez/1_hawaiian_gardens_hg_ca.jpg[/IMG]
External links
- [hgcity.org] for city origin references
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