Honokaa, the major town on the Hamakua Coast, has only 2,500 residents. It still feels like the 1920s. Main street Honokaa consists of false-front buildings and local stores with a smattering of shops catering to tourists.

Hanokaa has one of the world's largest macadamia nut growing areas. Hawaii's macadamia nut industry, currently depressed, started here.