Honoka'a

Honoka'a

Honoka'a is the largest town on the Big Island's Hamakua Coast, known for its plantation-era charm, Art Deco architecture, and vibrant community spirit. Once a hub for sugar and cattle industries, today it thrives with local shops, cultural festivals, and access to lush countryside.

Honoka'a, Big Island

Honoka'a is the largest town on the Hamakua Coast (and once was the third largest in all of Hawaii, after Honolulu and Hilo) with a rich history due to the dozens of sugar plantations and cattle industry it had more than a hundred years ago. The last sugar plantation in Honoka'a (Hamakua Sugar Company) stopped its operation in 1994, but the townspeople and their rich heritage have lived on up to this day.

The heart of the town features a few timber-framed stores along the wooden boardwalk of Mamane Street. New and innovative ways to revive the town's economy have made local and foreign entrepreneurs invest in ranching, tourism and farming.

One of Honoka'a attractions is the Art Deco Honoka'a People's Theater, which was built in 1930 and still features occasional movie screenings and musical performances, as well as the Hamakua Music Festival each year in October. Then there's the Hawaiian Shop, also located on Mamane Street, a nice place to find a unique souvenir.

A 60 megawatt power plant is also operational in the area, which sells power to the rest of the island. Although there are no nearby beaches in Honoka'a, there is a wide range of activities to do, such as hiking, cycling and hunting. A public sport gymnasium where you can play baseball, tennis and run on a tracking field is also accessible in the area.


Key Features of Honoka'a

  • Historic plantation town: Once Hawaii's third largest town, built around sugar and cattle industries
  • Mamane Street charm: Wooden boardwalk with local shops, cafes, and galleries
  • People's Theater: A 1930 Art Deco theater hosting films, concerts, and the Hamakua Music Festival
  • Rural economy revival: Now focused on organic farming, ranching, and eco-tourism
  • Scenic highlands: Located in the misty uplands with access to hiking, cycling, and hunting
  • Local amenities: Includes gymnasium, tennis courts, and sports fields
  • Population: 2,699 (2020 Census)
  • Zip code: 96727


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Reviews and Comments:
 
We were touring the island and decided to stop in Honokaa for a couple of minutes and a coke. We spent the whole afternoon there. The people were so friendly and the town so rich in neat little shops that I had to drag the wife back to the car so that we could head back to KMC. I'm coming back, this fall, to the place that the people made me feel like I was home.
Tom Campbell, Tue May 14, 2019
 
Visited here over 20 years ago. Liked it enough to move here just last year. Wooden sidewalks are gone, movie theatre has first run movies on a regular basis as well as concerts (saw Judy Collins in January). Wonderfully friendly town, with a lit to offer tourists without being "touristy". And unlike Oahu, NO traffic!
Louise Simrell, Mon Apr 24, 2017

Frequently Asked Questions

🏘️What is Honoka'a known for?

Honoka'a is known for its rich plantation history, cultural events like the Hamakua Music Festival, and its scenic location on the Big Island's Hamakua Coast.

🎭What can I see at the Honoka'a People's Theater?

This historic Art Deco theater shows movies, hosts live music, and serves as a venue for community festivals and performances.

🚶Are there any outdoor activities in the area?

Yes, visitors can enjoy hiking, cycling, hunting, and access to public recreation facilities in and around Honoka'a.

🌿What kind of farms are in Honoka'a today?

The area now supports diversified agriculture, including organic vegetable farms, tropical fruit orchards, and sustainable ranching.