Na'alehu

Na'alehu, Big Island

Located near South Point in the Big Island's Ka'u District, Na'alehu bills itself as the southernmost town in the United States. There are only a few small shops and eateries in this quaint little town, but it's definitely worth a visit, if not for the charming monkeypod trees that frame some of the town's old plantation homes.

Two popular festivals take place here. Each year on July 4, the annual Na'alehu Rodeo is a fun event for amateur riders who show off their bull-riding skills. And on Labor Day, the Hawaiian Hula Festival is celebrated. On this day, people gather at Na'alehu Park to enjoy food, music, crafts, and of course, hula.

Na'alehu means "volcanic ashes" in the Hawaiian language. But the lava flows of the past have cooled and dried and today, Na'alehu is far from being an unsightly remnant of a volcanic eruption. Lush vegetation, green valleys and hills surround the town, and black sand beaches are located nearby.

The Ka'u District is the warmest area on the Big Island. In 1931, Na'alehu hit 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 C), the highest recorded temperature in the entire state of Hawaii.