Historic Honokaa offers small-town living on the Hamakua Coast
Known as a gateway to the Hamakua Coast, Honokaa is renowned for its stunning Pacific views, prime agricultural land and its historical downtown district. The town is home to approximately 2,700 residents, who reside in quiet neighborhoods surrounded by lush tropical forests and vegetation. It sits about 30 miles from the resort communities of the Big Island’s north shore and about 40 miles from Hilo, the state’s second-largest city.
From the late 19th century until the 1990s, the town’s economy and workforce were based around sugar production. Today, it’s primarily a bedroom community for Hilo, but it has enough amenities that residents won’t need to travel for groceries, shopping or dining. “I love the fact that it’s been here for generations. It used to be a plantation town, and it’s kept its charm throughout the years,” says Realtor Hilary Millar of Hawaii Pacific Brokers, who grew up just outside Honokaa and still lives nearby. “It’s got several little restaurants and boutiques. There aren’t any stoplights. It’s very similar to how it was 40 years ago.”
Older homes and acreage properties line quiet rural roads
Honokaa features a wide range of older homes tucked away on hilly streets, often surrounded by tropical trees and brush. “You’ve got everything from early 1900s plantation homes to sprawling 30- and 40-acre farms. It’s very diverse,” Millar says. Bungalows and ranch-style homes are the most common types of homes found near the town center. Further out, larger homes with acreage are more common. Some offer sweeping views of the coastal and mountain scenery from windows and porches. The roads are rural, narrow and quiet. Prices range from approximately $400,000 to $850,000, although some larger homes have sold for between $1 million and $1.4 million.
Historic downtown offers dining, shopping and local markets
Honokaa’s downtown district, centered around Waipio Road, features a wealth of local eateries, markets and shops. Most of them are housed in buildings that date back to the early 20th century, during the town's agricultural boom. Honokaa Public House is a local favorite known for its specialty pizzas, sandwiches and its cozy dining room. Authentic Korean cuisine is available at Harmoni Foods, featuring staples such as bibimbap, kimchi and barbecue. Tex Drive In is a long-running staple that serves malasadas, a Portuguese-style doughnut. For groceries and everyday essentials, Honokaa Market Place, Honokaa Country Market and Malama Market offer local options. The nearest big-box stores and major chains are in Hilo. The town is also home to the Honokaa People’s Theatre, a long-running movie theater and performance hall built in 1930.
Recreation options include ball fields, trails and coastal views
There are several recreation spaces within walking distance for many residents. Honokaa Sports Complex and Skate Park features ball fields, a running track, soccer fields, a skate park, a playground and an indoor gym. There’s also the Hamakua Country Club, which has a nine-hole course that’s open to the public. Built in 1926, it’s the second-oldest golf course on the Big Island. Just outside town, locals can head to Kalopa State Recreation Area, where hiking trails wind through dense forests at an elevation of around 2,000 feet. For coastal scenery, residents are just 8 miles from the Waipio Valley. “We have beautiful, black-sand beaches and cliffs in Waipio,” Millar says.
Honokaa schools offer K–12 education with career pathways
Students begin their education close to home at Honokaa Elementary School, which serves kindergarten through sixth grade. The final step is Honokaa High & Intermediate School for grades 7 through 12. Both schools get B-minus ratings from Niche. The high school offers two primary academies for students, the Academy of Public Service and the Academy of Industry, both of which focus on career and trade education.
The highway connects Honokaa to Hilo and Waimea
Mamalahoa Highway runs through Honokaa. It’s the main highway along the Hamakua Coast, offering a direct route to Hilo, about 40 miles away and Waimea, about 14 miles away. There are three bus stops in town for those who need public transportation. Hilo International Airport is approximately 46 miles away and offers flights to other Hawaiian Islands and the West Coast. Hilo Benioff Medical Center, the nearest major hospital, is about 44 miles away.
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Photography Contributed By
Paul Peck
