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Hawaii County, Hawaii

295 topographic sheets cover 202 settlements here, and 107 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

107 National Register listings published here, 5 of them National Historic Landmarks.

Sources: the county history on the Internet Archive · the National Register database, National Park Service

Hawaii within the United States
Hawaii County within Hawaii

What the record shows

  • 2,719 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 107 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 55 buildings, 39 districts, 9 sites, 3 structures and 1 object.
  • 25 of the 107 listings were added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 203 populated places in this county; 202 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

107

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
1790 Footprintssite197474000351
Ahole Holua Complexdistrict197373000655
Ainahou Ranchbuilding199594001619
Ainapo Trailstructure197474000290
Ala Loasite198787001127
Anna Ranchdistrict200806001120
Awong Brothers Storebuilding2022100004873
B. Ikeuchi & Sons, Inc. Propertybuilding2022100007882
Bond Districtdistrict197878001016
Francis E. Ii Brown Housebuilding198686001616
Chee Ying Societydistrict197878001014
Daifukuji Soto Zen Missionbuilding199494000382
District Courthouse and Police Stationbuilding197979000752
Ferreira Buildingbuilding201515000756
First Bank of Hilo, Ltd.building2017100001916
Matsujiro Fujino Propertybuilding2019100004285
Greenwell Storebuilding197878001017
Thomas Guard Housebuilding200303001311
Hale Halawai O Holualoasite198787000794
S. Hata Buildingbuilding199191001087
Walter Irving and Jean Henderson Housebuilding201111000057
Hilina Pali Roaddistrict201509000587
Hilina Pali Roaddistrict201509000587
Hilina Pali Roaddistrict201509000587
Hilina Pali Roaddistrict201509000587
Hilina Pali Roaddistrict201509000587
Hilina Pali Roaddistrict201509000587
Hilina Pali Roaddistrict201509000587
Hilina Pali Roaddistrict201509000587
Hilina Pali Roaddistrict201509000587
Hilina Pali Roaddistrict201509000587
Hilina Pali Roaddistrict201509000587
Hilina Pali Roaddistrict201509000587
W.H. Hill Housebuilding201111000055
Hilo Masonic Lodge Hall-Bishop Trust Buildingbuilding199494000383
James M. Hind Housebuilding199493001557
Holualoa 4 Archeological District (State Site No. 50-10-37-23.661)district200505000542
Honoka'a United Methodist Churchbuilding2017100001413
Honokaa People's Theatrebuilding201515000684
Honokaʻa Catholic Properties-Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Churchdistrict2022100007451
Honokaʻa Catholic Properties-Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Churchdistrict2022100007451
Honokaʻa Hongwanji Buddhist Missionbuilding2021100006348
Honokaʻa Hongwanji Buddhist Missionbuilding2021100006348
Hotel Honokaa Clubbuilding201515000685
Hulihee Palacebuilding197373000653
Hāmākua Country Clubsite2025100011796
Imiola Churchbuilding197575000618
International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Jack Wayne Hall Buildingbuilding2018100001917
John J., Sr. and Rose Andrade Propertybuilding2025100011893
Kahikolu Churchbuilding198282000148
Kalaoa Permanent House Site 10,205site199292001552
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Parkdistrict197878003148
Kamakahonu, Residence Of King Kamehameha Isite196666000288
Kamehameha Hallbuilding199393000426
Kamehameha III's Birthplaceobject197878001018
Kealakekua Bay Historical Districtdistrict197373000651
Keauhou Holua Slidestructure196666000290
Kilauea Cratersite197474000291
Kohala District Courthousebuilding197979000754
Kojiro Yamato Store and Garagebuilding2021100006354
Kamekichi and Mika Kotake Store Propertybuilding2020100001918
Levi and Netti Lyman Housebuilding201111000059
Rev. D. B. Lyman Housebuilding197878001012
M.S. Botelho Building and Garagebuilding2018100002214
Mauna Loa Roaddistrict201509000620
Mauna Loa Roaddistrict201509000620
Mauna Loa Roaddistrict201509000620
Mauna Loa Roaddistrict201509000620
Mauna Loa Roaddistrict201509000620
Mauna Loa Roaddistrict201509000620
Mauna Loa Roaddistrict201509000620
Mauna Loa Roaddistrict201509000620
Mauna Loa Roaddistrict201509000620
Mauna Loa Roaddistrict201509000620
Mauna Loa Roaddistrict201509000620
Mauna Loa Roaddistrict201509000620
Mauna Loa Roaddistrict201509000620
Mauna Loa Roaddistrict201509000620
Mauna Loa Roaddistrict201509000620
Mokuaikaua Churchbuilding197878001015
Mookini Heiaustructure196666000284
Edward H. and Claire Moses Housebuilding201111000056
A. Nanbu Hotel-Holy's Bakerybuilding199999001356
Old Volcano House No. 42building197474000293
Palace Theaterbuilding199393000376
James and Catherine Parker Housebuilding201111000058
Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Parkdistrict196666000104
Pu'ukohola Heiausite196607001173
Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Sitedistrict197266000105
Pua Akala Cabinbuilding202509000845
Puna-Ka'u Historic Districtdistrict197474000294
Seishiro Hasegawa Ltd. Store Buildingbuilding16000543
W. H. Shipman Housebuilding197878001013
John Dias Souza Propertybuilding2021100006349
St. Benedict's Catholic Churchbuilding197979000753
Star of the Sea Church-Kalapana Painted Churchbuilding199797000407
Teiji Yamatsuka Storebuilding100001415
Tong Wo Society Buildingbuilding197878001011
Herbert Austin Truslow Housebuilding201111000060
U.S. Post Office and Office Buildingbuilding197474000708
Uchida Coffee Farmbuilding199594001621
Volcano Block Buildingbuilding199392001748
Waiakea Mission Station-Hilo Stationbuilding200202000387
Waimea Elementary Schoolbuilding200505000541
Whitney Seismograph Vault No. 29building197474000292
Wilkes Campsitesite197474000295
A. J. Williamson Housebuilding199797000406

Wildfire, 1992 to 2020

1,223 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 1,223 of them, burning about 169,175 acres. 43 started naturally and 7 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined1076
Recreation and ceremony65
Natural43
Debris and open burning12
Equipment and vehicle use11
Arson/incendiarism7
Smoking6
Fireworks2
Power generation/transmission/distribution1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
1 August 2005Missing data/not specified/undetermined25,000 acresState of Hawaiinot named
1 August 2018Missing data/not specified/undetermined18,000 acresState of HawaiiHIGHWAY 190 FIRE
4 August 1999Missing data/not specified/undetermined10,000 acresState of Hawaiinot named
1 July 2007Missing data/not specified/undetermined9,138 acresState of Hawaiinot named
28 April 1998Missing data/not specified/undetermined6,500 acresState of Hawaiinot named
7 October 1999Missing data/not specified/undetermined5,000 acresState of Hawaiinot named
12 May 2003Natural4,930 acresHawaii Volcanoes National ParkLUHI FIRE
17 February 1992Missing data/not specified/undetermined4,700 acresHawaii Volcanoes National ParkNAPAU

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1955 to 2026

60 of 962 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 962 reports for this county, causing 6 deaths, 8 injuries and about $97,756,060 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Heavy Rain653
Flash Flood137
Flood89
Wildfire25
Hail11
Tornado10
Funnel Cloud10
Lightning10
Waterspout7
Thunderstorm Wind6
Debris Flow4

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
July 2011Flash FloodPapaikou1 killed, 1 hurtA brief heavy shower over the eastern parts of the Big Island of Hawaii caused the Kawainui Stream to rise abruptly. Two individuals prawning in the stream bed were caught in the rapidly moving water. One man died as he was swept away, while a woman was injured as she held on to a large rock as the water rushed around her.
February 2018Flash FloodHonokaa1 killedFlooding rain damaged a store in the Hamakua District on the Big Island of Hawaii, in the town of Honokaa. Also, a man died in leeward Big Island in the later evening on the 18th. His was staying in a shack-like structure on a coffee farm in Holualoa when, apparently, strong and gusty winds from a thunderstorm blew the structure about 150 feet from its foundation; and he was killed.
February 2018Thunderstorm WindHolualoa1 killedA shack-like structure was blown 150 feet off its foundation by the thunderstorm winds. Time of event estimated based on radar.
January 2017Flash FloodHonokaa1 killedA woman attempted to cross fast-moving water that was knee-deep in a private driveway off Kahana Drive in Ahumoa near Honokaa on the Big Island of Hawaii. She was swept away and was found dead the next morning, Jan. 22.
September 2015Flash FloodHilo1 killedFire/rescue crews responded to a 5:50 p.m. alarm Monday (Sept 14) to Wailuku River Boiling Pots State Park for a missing swimmer.|A witness said he was swimming in the upper pond at Boiling Pots with a 62-year-old woman when both began to be pulled downstream by the fast-moving current. Both attempted to swim towards the river bank but the woman didnt make it out.
December 2012Flash FloodPapaaloa1 killedBrief heavy rainfall along the windward slopes of the Big Island above Papaaloa caused rapid rises in local streams. Broadcast media reported that a tourist from California was swept to his death in the Pahale Stream while attempting to cross. It appears the individual may have been lost while seeking a local cabin where he had reservations for the night.
January 1971Tornadonot stated4 hurt, $2,500,000no account filed
November 2018Flash FloodKamuela2 hurtCivil Defense on the Big Island of Hawaii reported 13 hikers needed rescue after being stranded by flash flooding at Anna's Pond near Waimea. Also, at 1711 HST, police reported flooding on Kohala Mountain Road.
November 1997LightningMilolii1 hurtno account filed
November 2000Flash FloodLaupahoehoe$70,000,000no account filed
August 2018Flash FloodKukuihaele$7,100,000Flash flooding continued for about two full days for much of the east half of the Big Island of Hawaii. From near Hawi in the north to the Kawa Flats area in the south, almost continuous heavy rain and thunderstorms associated with Hurricane Lane affected the isle. Flooding waters closed Bayfront Highway in Hilo, Highway 19 in multiple areas was closed due to debris flows and deep water on the roadway, flash flooding was ongoing in Waipio Valley for much of the time, Akoni Pule Highway became impassable near Hawi, Kaalaiki Road northeast of Naalehu was closed because of deep ponding, water rescues and evacuations were undetaken in the Hilo area at Kaiulani Street with water levels running at 5 feet, a resident in Keaau had to evacuate the home because of flooding on N. Wilder Road, a portion of Saddle Road upslope from Hilo was closed because of a debris flow and large rocks on the roadway, route 130 was closed from Keaau High School to Hawaiian Paradise Park due to flooding, and both lanes of Highway 11 in the Kawa Flats area were closed because of deep water over the roadway.
March 2026Flash FloodMahukona$5,000,000Heavy rain developed over the Kona slopes during the evening of March 14. At approximately 1000 pm HST, significant flooding was reported on Alii Drive with a large amount of water on roadways. A Kealakekua resident reported flood waters coming down a hill and flooding his property, destroying the flooring and forcing his family to evacuate. His neighbors were reportedly hit harder; his neighbor's farm's water supply was taken offline and the flood waters broke up the asphalt on his driveway and opened many cracks. The County reportedly responded to 25 to 30 calls to save peoples lives when heavy rain bands hit Kau and South Kona. Between the Kau and South Kona Districts, 18 to 20 people were rescued. Other residents reported massive potholes, broken up asphalt, and boulders along with flooding impacting homes. Fifteen dead goats were reportedly found washed up or floating in Kawaihae harbor.
August 2024FloodPapaaloa$5,000,000As quoted in the Star-Advertiser, the Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator reported the county had received thirty eight damage claims from Kohala to Kau and that, out of the thirty eight damage reports, eighteen had been verified. Nine of these damage reports were major, meaning they may be uninhabitable. One of these properties included a home used as a bed and breakfast experienced extensive flooding with massive mud, boulder, and debris buildup in the home.
August 2024Flash FloodMountain View$3,000,000Heavy rain from the outer bands of Hurricane Hone caused flooding which closed several roads over the southeast portion of the Big Island. In the Kau District, Highway 11 was closed at Kawa Flats. Wood Valley Road and Cane Haul Road were closed near Pahala. In the Puna District, North Kulani Road was closed. Many of the roads were damaged.
March 2026Flash FloodHilo$2,000,000Heavy rain developed over the eastern and southeastern areas of the Big Island, leading to flooding impacts. Flooding was reported along Bayfront Highway and on Highway 11 south of Hilo. Flooding was also reported in Keeau Industrial Park. A residence in Pahala reportedly experienced flooding.
September 2024Flash FloodKailua Kona$1,000,000Hualalai Rd was closed near Lako St due to flooding. Twenty two properties reported flood damage.
September 1996Flash FloodWaikoloa, S Kohala$1,000,000no account filed
March 2004Flash FloodKamuela$550,000Heavy rain and showers closed and damaged several roads in northern parts of the Big Island of Hawaii. The rain also forced Waikoloa Stream over its banks, and the flood waters in turn damaged water mains that supplied Kamuela with drinking water. Damages to the roadways alone were more than half a million dollars. There were no reports of serious injuries, however.
April 2026Flash FloodMountain View$200,000Heavy rain developed over the southeastern slopes of the Big Island and led to flooding impacts. Water was reportedly flowing into a house in the Puna district near Hawaiian Paradise Park. Water also accumulated on Highway 11 near mile marker 60. Hao Springs Road closed due to flooding.
March 2026Flash FloodGlenwood$100,000Heavy rain led to road closures between Naalehu and Pahala due to a culvert overflowing. Highway 11 was also closed at Kawa Flats due to flooding. Then on March 14, water over Highway 11 cut off the towns on Naalehu and Pahala. The Department of Transportation reported Hawaii Belt Road (Route 11) at mile marker 57.5 at the Hilea Stream Bridge was closed due to flooding in the area.
November 2024Flash FloodAkaka Falls St Park$100,000Multiple Roads within Hilo and Mountainview were closed or partially closed due to flooding. Additionally, there was a vehicle submerged underwater on South Kopua Road in Punas Eden Roc neighborhood near Mountain View. The roads closed included Pohaku Dr, Enos Road, Mauna Loa Road, N Kulani Rd, Kahikopele St, Pohaku St between 39th Ave and 40th Av, Kamehameha Ave, Pauahi St, E Kawailani Rd.
March 1996Flash FloodHilo,Puna,Kau,Hamaku$100,000no account filed
February 2026Heavy RainKukuihaele$40,000Hawaii County Civil Defense reported landslides along Waipio Valley Access Rd. The road was shut down as a result.
October 2001Flash FloodHilo$30,000no account filed
October 2017LightningHilo$15,000no account filed
September 2015LightningHawaiian Paradise Pk$10,000no account filed
December 2013Thunderstorm WindHilo$5,000Fire officials reported a gust of wind damaged a roof on a home on Hoopuni Street in Hilo.
April 1986Tornado (F0)not stated$2,500no account filed
February 2023LightningUpolu Airport$1,000Broadcast media relayed a report that a lightning strike in the Ewa Beach area split a tree. No other damage was reported from this event.
February 2023LightningWaikii$1,000Broadcast media initially reported that lightning strikes sparked two brush fires near the Keamuku Maneuver Area in the Pohakuloa Training Area. Based on hot-spot satellite imagery taken from FIRMS (Fire Information for Resource Management System), the fires were extinguished Feb 20th.
December 2016LightningAkaka Falls St Park$1,000A pilot for Hawaiian Airlines reported a lightning strike on his aircraft inbound to Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii.
March 1980Tornado (F1)not stated$250no account filed
November 1978Tornadonot stated$250no account filed
March 1955Tornadonot stated$30no account filed
March 1955Tornadonot stated$30no account filed
February 2026Flash FloodLaupahoehoe-Law Enforcement reported landslides in Laupahoehoe Gulch, Kawaili Gulch, and Maulua Gulch.
January 2026FloodVolcano-Mamalohoa Hwy was closed between mile markers 57 and 61 due to water on the road.
March 2024FloodKailua Kona-Kuakini Highway was closed between Onioni St and Queen Kaahumanu Hwy due to flooding.
January 2024FloodNaalehu-Kaalaiki Rd was closed between Naalehu and Pahala due to water on the road at low water crossings.
January 2024FloodPahala-Wood Valley Road was closed at the low water crossing at Waiakaloa Gulch due to excess water.
May 2024Flash FloodHilo-Waianuenue and Kamehameha Avenues were closed in both directions due to flooding.
May 2024Flash FloodKawaihae-All lanes were closed at the Kawaihae Road and Queen Kaahumanu Hwy intersection due to flooding at the bridges on both sides of the intersection.
February 2023Flash FloodPahala-A single vehicle attempted to cross a flooded roadway near Wood Valley Road. The vehicle was carried downstream with operator inside. When emergency personnel arrived, the operator had already self-extricated from the vehicle.
February 2023Flash FloodKeaau-Multiple roads were closed as a result of the repeated rounds of heavy rainfall, including Highway 11 at Kawa Flats, Wood Valley Road, Pohaku Drive, East Kawailani Street, and Kaalaiki Road. Railroad Ave. was also closed in both directions from East Lanikaula St. to Kukil St. Additionally, Piake St. and Llima St. were affected by water flooding the bridge at Paauau Gulch near Pahala.
February 2023Heavy RainHakalau-Highway 19 near mile marker 13 was closed in both directions due to a landslide.
November 2023Debris FlowHakalau-The Hawaii Police Department reported a landslide closing the Hawaii Belt Rd (Highway 19) between Mile Marker Twelve and Honomu Rd.
November 2023Debris FlowPaauilo-A landslide was reported near Mile Marker 28 in Kawaili Gulch along Hawaii Belt rd. (Highway 19).
April 2023FloodPahala-Emergency management reported flooding on Highway 11 near Kawa Flats between mile marker 50.5 and mile marker 60. The road was closed due to water over the road between Pahala and Naalehu.
April 2023FloodUpolu Airport-Piilani Highway was closed between mile markers 29 and 31 due to unpassable flooding waters.
May 2023FloodPuako-Flood waters were reported on Highway 19 between mile marker 70 and 71. Both lanes were closed due to the flooding.
November 2023FloodPahala-Persistent heavy rainfall lead to water accumulating on the roads which prompted the road closure of Wood Valley Road.
July 2023FloodPahala-Heavy rainfall due to Tropical Storm Calvin lead to a road closure on Kaalaiki Rd, also known as Pahala Transfer Station Road, due to the buildup of flood waters on the road.
July 2023FloodPahala-Wood Valley Rd. was closed due to flooding on the road. The flood waters were the result of heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Calvin.
July 2023FloodOokala-Old Mamalahoa Highway was closed due to a landslide due to flooding, which was caused by heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Calvin.
January 2022Flash FloodSaddle Road Junction-Highway 190 on the Big Island was closed between the Saddle Road junction and Waimea due to flooding waters that overflowed from Kamakoa Gulch. This was an impact from the Mana Road burn scar, the result of an earlier fire that devastated the local area.
September 2022Flash FloodKailua Kona-After a downpour, Kuakini Highway in leeward Big Island between Hualalai Road and Highway 11 was closed due to deep standing water.
December 2022Flash FloodKailua Kona-Emergency management reported the upper portion of Palani Rd. was flooded.
December 2022Flash FloodWaikoloa Village-Waikoloa Village was flooded along Waikoloa Road near the Paniolo Avenue intersection. Also, Highway 190 was closed near mile marker 5-6 due to debris on the road.
December 2022Flash FloodKamuela-Kawaihae Road near the Kohala Mountain Road junction was flooded.
December 2022Flash FloodMahukona-Highway 270 was closed between mile markers 10 and 11 due to debris on the road resulting from heavy rainfall.

Mines and quarries

15 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 15 workings inside this county. 4 still produce and 11 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Stone, Crushed/Broken11
Stone2
Calcium1
Sand and Gravel, Construction1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Pacific Quarry and MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Yamada Kawaihae Coral MillCalciumPast Producer
Honokahau PitStonePast Producer
Unnamed QuarryStonePast Producer
Boase Number 1 Quarry and MillStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Hcpc Quarries and MillStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Hilo Quarry and MillStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Honokahau Quarry and MillStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Iilewa PitStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Kawaihae Coral MillStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Keaau Mill and QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Keauaou QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Parker Ranch Quarry and MillStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Puu Waawaa Pit and MineStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Yamada Hilo Quarry and MillStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer

Town by town, in the county's histories

11,577 words

The part of each published history that is about one town: 1 chapter, each reproduced complete.

TownChapter FromLength
HiloGodfrey's Handbook of Hawaii: Guide to Hilo and the VolcanoGodfrey's Handbook of Hawaii: Guide to Hilo and the Volcano (1899)11,577 words

Every populated place in the county

203

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

The vanished settlements of Hawaii County: the places named above that are no longer on the map.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.