Honokaa, Hawaii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Honokaa, Hawaii
Honokaʻa
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Post office for ZIP code 96727
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Location in Hawaii County and the state of Hawaii
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| Country | United States |
| State | Hawaii |
| County | Hawaii |
| District | Hamakua |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.11 sq mi (5.45 km2) |
| • Land | 2.11 sq mi (5.45 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 994 ft (303 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,699 |
| • Density | 1,281.58/sq mi (494.80/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-10 (Hawaii-Aleutian) |
| ZIP code |
96727
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| Area code(s) | 808 |
| FIPS code | 15-16450 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0359281 |
Honokaʻa is a census-designated place (CDP) in the Hamakua District of Hawaiʻi County, Hawaiʻi, United States. The population was 2,699 at the 2020 census.
Geography
Honokaʻa is located on the north side of the island of Hawaiʻi at 20°4′39″N 155°27′51″W / 20.07750°N 155.46417°W (20.077617, -155.464074). Hawaii Route 19 runs through the southern part of the community, leading southeast 42 miles (68 km) to Hilo and west 14 miles (23 km) to Waimea. Hawaiʻi Route 240 branches off Route 19 and runs through the center of Honokaʻa, then continues west 8 miles (13 km) to its terminus at the Waipiʻo Valley lookout.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.3 km2), all of it land.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2000 | 2,233 | — | |
| 2010 | 2,258 | 1.1% | |
| 2020 | 2,699 | 19.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
History
Honokaʻa's economy was based primarily on the sugar production of the Hāmākua Sugar Company from 1873 to 1994. With the closing of the Honokaʻa sugar production and the most recent staggered tourism, the local economy has been in decline. It has become increasingly a bedroom community for Hilo. As the gateway to the Hāmākua Coast, Honokaa provides the first unobstructed view of the Pacific Ocean traveling downslope from Waimea.
The Hāmākua Coast was the classic plantation community in the early 20th century, but since the closing of the Big Island's sugar industry, the district has had to diversify its economy. Presently, with much of the district still zoned for agriculture, Hāmākua has seen rising prospects in other crops including pineapples, coffee, papaya, macadamia nuts, and tea.
People
Honokaʻa is the home of the fourth governor of Hawaii since statehood, John D. Waiheʻe III, who served from December 2, 1986, to December 2, 1994. Waiheʻe is the first Native Hawaiian to hold that office anywhere in the United States.
Honokaʻa was also home to Yoshito Takamine, the late Hawaiʻi state representative and labor leader.
Roseanne Barr, an American actress, comedian, writer, producer and politician, resides in Honokaʻa.
Culture
Honokaʻa boasts a historic downtown district. In 1930, the Honokʻaa People's Theatre was built on Māmane Street by the Tanimoto family. The theater hosted the Hāmākua Music Festival every fall from 1993 to 2006, and again in 2009. Proceeds went to fund local music education on the island. The festival has hosted a number of jazz, classical, and Hawaiian folk musicians, including Ray Brown, Gene Harris, James Moody, Howard Alden, Big Brother and the Holding Company and Hubert Laws.
Ranching, along with nascent diversified agriculture, is the primary industry in Honokaʻa and the Hamakua District. Honokaʻa hosts a Saturday farmers' market, held on Māmane Street, The Farmers' Market at Hāmākua Harvest on Sundays from 9:00am – 2:00pm on the corner of Māmane Street and Māmalahoa Highway, and the Honoka'a Country Market features Hawaii Big Island Beef, a locally raised and grass-fed beef.
While ranching and rodeos may seem idiosyncratic to some visitors, ranching in Hawaii has a long history. This tradition has been celebrated annually on Western Weekend beginning in 2006, and included children's activities, country western bands, a block party with paniolo barbecue, a rodeo, and the ribald Saloon Girl Contest. Western Weekend was sponsored in part by a grant from the County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research & Development, Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.
Cinema
Honokaʻa is the namesake and setting in the 2009 Japanese film Honokaʻa Boy (Japanese: ホノカアボーイ). The world premier occurred in the Honokaʻa People's Theatre, which was featured prominently in the film.
There is reference to a marketplace in the town in the film Cloud Atlas.
School
Honokaʻa High & Intermediate School is located in the CDP. Honokaʻa Elementary School shares some campus facilities such as the cafeteria and library.
See also
In Spanish: Honokaa para niños
