Waiohinu, Big Island

Waiohinu at a Glance

Waiohinu, which means “shiny water” in the Hawaiian language, is a quaint town located along Highway 11 in the Kau District of the Big Island. Located on the southern part of the Big Island, the little town of Waiohinu offers a gas station, park, shopping and supplies, camp, park, and playing field. Notable locations in the town include the Kaulana Boat Ramp, the Mountain House, and the Wright Camp. Though it may have little of the amenities offered by bigger, more urbanized towns, Waiohinu is rich in history.

In 1866, Mark Twain allegedly planted a monkeypod tree in the town while visiting it. When the tree was blown off in 1957, a shoot was replanted, and this is what we see there today.

The historic Kauaha’ao Church, a Calvinist Church built in 1888, once stood in the town until it was demolished in 1998 due to structural damage.

The oldest store in Waiohinu is the Wong Yuen Store and Service Station built by the Chinese immigrant Wong Yuen in 1914. It continues to sell.

According to the latest 2007 census survey, 2,044 people resided in the 193-square mile town. Females (48.7%) were slightly outnumbered by males (51.3%). Waiohinu had an average household size of 2.9 persons and a low population density of 11 people per square mile.

In 2007, the community had an aggregated household income of $44, 983. However, 16.3% of its residents had income below the poverty level.

Waiohinu’s zip code is 96772. This zip code is shared with its neighboring town of Naalehu.

Waiohinu in Bullet Points

Waiohinu Location

Waiohinu Map (top)

Waiohinu Weather (top)

Now
61°F
Windchill:
61°F
Cloudy
Location: Naalehu, HI, US
Wind: 12 mph W
Humidity: 63%
Visibility: 0.07 mi
Pressure: 30.2 in steady
Sunrise: 6:28 am
Sunset: 6:32 pm Wed
Hi: 78°F
Low: 63°F
Partly Cloudy
Thu
Hi: 76°F
Low: 63°F
Scattered Showers