Reviews & Comments
Kapaau, HI
Small town at the end of the road on an island in -
6/2/2009Kapaau and neighboring Hawi are located on the northern tip of the Island of Hawaii, commonly called the Big Island. Approx 6500 people in the area. The road stops at spectacular Pololu Valley 5 miles past town. You have to turn around and go back 20 miles to the next town. The area's population is growing slowly but steadily with retirees and newcomers from the mainland and others returning from around the state. One hour drive from Kona where most of the shopping is located, but you can find most of what you want in town. Climate is excellent with year-round trade winds and enough rain to keep it green and lush. Very rural; little or no industry. Business is based on tourism and related retail, ranching, and a little agriculture. A bedroom community where most folks commute to Kona or one of the big resorts down the coast to work. Community is still largely made of families brought in originally to work on the sugar plantations. Slow paced community; little night life, although Luke's Place now has live music most evenings. Public schools leave a great deal to be desired. A safe, quiet, self-reliant, out of the way town. We joke that we probably have the highest number of people per thousand in the witness protection program living here because it is so out of the way. A beautiful piece of old Hawaii.