Big Island Town Guide

Hakalau

Hakalau is a small Big Island village north of Hilo, with sugar plantation history, green gulch scenery, Hakalau Bay views and quiet farms on the Hamakua side.

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Hakalau

Hakalau, Big Island

Hakalau, located on the Big Island's Hamakua Coast, is a small village which was once home to a large sugar plantation up until the early 1960s. Remnants of the village's prosperous past can still be seen in the old railroad bridge that leads to Hakalau Bay and the long-defunct plantation towers you can see from the road. Also located on the shoreline where the Hakalau stream meets the bay are the ruins of the Hakalau Mill, which was destroyed in the tsunami of 1946.

Today, there are a few family farms growing tropical fruits, coffee, flowers and doing cattle ranching. The bay is mainly used by surfers and local fishermen. At the bottom of the Hakalau Gulch, there is a small park with picnic tables and ocean access.

Located nearby is the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, a 32,733-acre (134 sq. km) wilderness preserve that his home to endangered species, including the Hawaiian creeper, Hawaiian hoary bat, nene, ‘io, ‘akepa, i'iwi and pueo. The Upper Maulau Tract, located in the northernmost section of the wildlife refuge, is open for hiking (with prior permission) on weekends and holidays (call Refuge Office a week prior to your visit to get a permit: 808-933-6915). However, it's a two-hour drive from Hilo to get here and half of the drive is on a dirt road, accessible only with a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Key Features

Small rural village north of Hilo
Located near Hakalau Stream and Hakalau Bay
Former sugar plantation community
Old bridge and mill-area remnants show plantation-era history
Hakalau Mill was destroyed by the 1946 tsunami
Nearby farms grow tropical fruit, coffee and flowers
Close to Honomu, Akaka Falls and Umauma Falls
Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge protects upland native habitat
Hakalau Beach Park access should be checked before visiting
Population: 650 at the 2020 Census for ZIP code 96710
ZIP code: 96710

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hakalau mean?

Hakalau is often translated as many perches or many roosting places. The name is also used for the stream, bay and forest refuge connected with this part of the Hamakua side.

Why is Hakalau connected with sugar plantation history?

Hakalau was once a sugar plantation village. The old bridge, mill-area remnants and plantation-era structures still hint at the community that grew around sugar production before the industry faded.

What happened at Hakalau during the 1946 tsunami?

The 1946 tsunami damaged the shoreline area and destroyed the Hakalau Mill near the stream mouth. The bay area still carries traces of that history in its ruins and open industrial remnants.

How is Hakalau different from Honomu?

Honomu has a small walkable village center near the road to Akaka Falls. Hakalau is quieter and more spread out, with its strongest landmarks near the bridge, stream, bay and old plantation area.

Why is Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge important?

The refuge protects native forest habitat above the village area. It is known for rare Hawaiian birds and upland forest conservation, though public access is limited and separate from the small coastal community.