Ever wished you could go back in time, to a place where the streets are safe and everyone knows each other? Choose a Honokaʻa vacation rental, on the northern end of the beautiful Hāmākua Coast, and feel like you have done just that. Walk the main street, enjoying the historic false-front architecture, and imagine how it might have looked a hundred years ago, with the help of the historic photographs stationed around town in the storefront windows.
For many years, this was the second-largest town on the island (after Hilo), as Kailua-Kona was just a small fishing village. Honokaʻa Hawaii was a destination for sugar plantation immigrants from Japan, China, Portugal, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico, as well as a party town for G.I.s stationed in Waimea during World War II. Today it retains much of its traditional charm. The centerpiece of the town is the historic People’s Theatre, which still shows movies and hosts concerts from a surprising array of well-known entertainers. Those interested in the history of the area should pay a visit to the Historic Honokaʻa Exhibit at the North Hawaiʻi Education and Research Center; it’s an excellent small museum that’s often overlooked.
Discover Beautiful Attractions
Many come to our Honokaʻa vacation rentals drawn by the lure of nearby Waipiʻo Valley, the majestic and fruitful valley where Kamehameha grew up. The Waipiʻo Valley Lookout offers maximum views for minimum effort. View the dramatic sea cliffs and lush green valley from the lookout area, which also offers informational signposts, a picnic area, and restrooms. There are also several tour companies in the area if you’re looking to get a more thorough view than what can be seen from the overlook. Adventurers may want to do a self-led tour of the valley by hiking down on the trail that begins at the overlook. The trail meanders down into the valley, leading to a striking black sand beach. Pack a swimsuit for a refreshing dip, especially during summer months when northern waters tend to be calmer. Enjoy a picnic on the sand before tackling the return portion of the hike. The trail is approximately 6.5 miles in total and includes significant vertical ascent out of the valley and back to your vehicle.
Honokaʻa is also a great base for those interested in farm tours, as the surrounding lands are thoroughly agricultural. A particularly good one is the family tea farming operation at Mauna Kea Tea; call first for a reservation. Opportunities to sample locally made chocolates can also be found, unique to Hawaii as the only state where cacao is commercially grown. Honokaʻa Chocolate Company has a 5-acre farm with cacao trees, as well as nearly 40 varieties of exotic fruit and Hawaiian sugar cane. Each of their chocolate bars is crafted by hand from growing the beans to packaging the bars. Take a tour to treat yourself to a wide variety of chocolate samples and to learn more about this beautiful farm as well as the history of the area. Tours are offered Friday through Sunday from 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm.
The nearby Kalopa State Recreation Area features an arboretum of native trees and rare plants. The 0.7-mile nature trail is a picturesque place to enjoy a walk surrounded by lush plants and towering trees above. Longer trail options for hiking or mountain biking make this a good day excursion from your vacation rental in Honokaʻa.
Between the quaint downtown area and the excellent scenic areas near Honokaʻa, this is a great place to base yourself along the Big Island’s beautiful north shore. The charm of the past lives on in the present, here in Honokaʻa!
Contact Us to Learn About Honokaa Hawaii
At I Love Hawaii, we have a variety of vacation rentals available on the Big Island, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. Whether you’re exploring nature at its rawest at Volcano National Park on the Big Island, surfing in Oahu’s Waikiki, catching the sunrise at Haleakala on Maui, or gazing out over the Grand Canyon of the Pacific on Kauai, our vacation rentals will ensure complete comfort during your island stay. Many of our Honokaa vacation rentals offer full kitchens, island-inspired décor, breezy lanais, and swimming pools. Please contact us at (866) 634-0060 or (808) 445-9126 to make your vacation rental booking and to get started on planning your ideal Hawaiian getaway!
