Honokaa Things to Do
Things to Do near Honokaa Town on Big Island
As sunset falls on the charming town of Honokaa, Hawaii, find yourself strolling the streets that are lined with the appealing boutiques and inviting restaurants that draw many visitors in, season after season. While researching and creating your itinerary for a visit to Hawaii, especially the Big Island, consider adding the charming small town of Honokaa to your list!
Directions to Honokaa
Honokaa is often regarded as a gateway to the Hamakua Coast, which provides every visitor with the pleasure of the complete view of the Pacific Ocean while traveling down from Waimea. To get to Honokaa, begin at Hilo and take Highway 19. This particular roadway, also known as the Hawaii Belt Road, winds above cliffs that overlook the Hamakua Coast surf and is a very scenic route to Honokaa.
If you’d like to make Honokaa one of the first or last stops on your trip, Hilo International Airport is the closest major airport for most visitors. From the airport, many visitors either take a bus or rent a car to make the roughly hour-long trip from Hilo International Airport to Honokaa.
A Brief History of Honokaa
The town of Honokaa, though small in population, is filled with history. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Honokaa grew as part of the Hamakua Coast sugar era, when plantation towns, rail service, and agricultural work shaped daily life in the region.
One of the constant intrigues of Honokaa is the existence of the historical Honokaa People’s Theatre. The theater was and still is a favorite stop for many residents, despite the cancellation of the once-popular international films that played on the building’s walls. Residents and tourists alike view the theater to be a historical, fascinating building found within the boundaries of Honokaa, acting as a community center for those living in the town.
Nowadays, Honokaa primarily survives as a society with its diversified agriculture. Hawaii’s Big Island beef is partly sourced from the fields around Honokaa, where beef is locally raised and grass-fed. The region has also seen an increase in the crops grown in the area. You can find fields of plants, including pineapples, coffee, papaya, macadamia nuts, taro, and tea in the farmland surrounding Honokaa.
In addition to the past and present significance of agriculture in Honokaa and the surrounding area, the town’s diversified economy reflects its Hamakua Coast setting and access to nearby rural communities.
Mamane Street, Honokaa’s busiest and most lively street, offers a wide variety of activities for visitors and residents. The historical center point of Honokaa, the Honokaa People’s Theatre, can be found along Mamane Street. Shopping and restaurants influenced by Hawaiian culture are sprinkled along this main street, so you can be sure to spend an entire day exploring the center of Honokaa.
Of the many things to do and see in the Honokaa area, check out the top activities that we recommend adding to your itinerary while on the Big Island.
Waipio Valley Lookout
Only mere minutes of driving northeast along the Honokaa-Waipio Road brings you to Waipio Valley Lookout, a picturesque destination nearby Honokaa, you won’t be able to resist pulling out our camera.
The lookout overlooks a pristine valley, often referred to as the Valley of the Kings, with cliffs that sharply rise above and frame a lush paradise beneath. In fact, these cliffs reach almost 2,000 feet in height and are freckled with waterfalls and flowers that add to Waipio’s beauty. Few Hawaiians reside in the Waipio Valley, the largest and farthest south of all valleys on the Big Island.
Hiilawe Falls
Water tumbles down 1,450 feet to become one of Hawaii’s largest waterfalls: Hiilawe Falls. The waterfall falls from a cliff in the Waipio Valley.
Described as the most famous waterfall within the valley, Hiilawe Falls is best treated as a scenic-view subject for most visitors. Public access into Waipio Valley and its trails has been restricted for safety and resident access reasons, so check current county guidance and view the valley from permitted public areas unless you are traveling with authorized access.
Honokaa Farmers Market Stops
Honokaa and the surrounding Hamakua Coast have long supported small farmers, ranchers, and food vendors. Check current market listings for exact locations and hours before you go.
Local market stops are a good way to look for island produce, prepared food, handmade goods, and community events connected to the area’s agricultural roots.
With such a wide variety of things to do, see, and experience at the market, there’s something for the whole family.
Local Dining on Mamane Street
Honokaa's main street has a small-town dining scene worth checking before or after a Hamakua Coast drive. Restaurant hours can change, so confirm current listings before planning around a specific stop.
Look for casual cafes, comfort-food plates, coffee stops, and local sweets along Mamane Street and nearby side streets.
Many of the easiest dining stops are clustered near the historic downtown blocks.
While exploring the Big Island, Honokaa is one of the destinations that you can’t miss. Offering the rich culture of island life with an obvious tie to a long history of industry and culture, the town is bound to provide you and your family a well-balanced experience. In this town nestled among lush landscape, you can experience a rich, vibrant culture and get active exploring the surrounding area in Honokaa!
