Houaïlou is a commune in the North Province of New Caledonia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean.

Geography

Climate

Houaïlou has a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification Am). The average annual temperature in Houaïlou is 23.6 C. The average annual rainfall is 1748.4 mm with March as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in February, at around 26.8 C, and lowest in August, at around 20.4 C. The highest temperature ever recorded in Houaïlou was 38.0 C on 5 March 1952; the coldest temperature ever recorded was 7.0 C on 3 August 1985.

Demographics

The town is part of the Ajië-Aro Kanak cultural grouping, and Ajië is the local language. Over 90% of the population identified as Kanak in the 2014 census. There are some European mine workers and farmers, and a small number of Polynesians, and Asian from different countries.

Economy

The formal economy is based almost exclusively on nickel mining operations, with two local mines - Maï at Poro the Ballande mines at Bâ. Locals can train for mining jobs at the CFTMC in Poro. Service activities include the local administration and gendarmerie, schools, several small shops and other facilities. Local Kanak tribes have traditionally operated a semi subsistence economy, with some waged labour, migrant income, and substantial cultivation. Houaïlou's farmers produce Lychees, a fruit introduced by a colonist from Réunion, Jolimont Kabar. There is a Fête du letchi each December, although production is unreliable in this climate and the festival is sometimes cancelled.

Notable people