Puna, Hawaii

Puna is one of the 9 districts of Hawaii County on the Island of Hawaiʻi, also known as the Big Island. It is found on the east side of the island and borders the South Hilo district to the north and the Kaʻū district to the west. Puna covers nearly 320,000 acres, which is a bit smaller than the whole island of Kauaʻi.

The land in Puna is great for growing many plants. Farms in Puna grow flowers, plants for nurseries, and macadamia nuts. The lower part of Puna is especially famous for growing most of the state’s papayas, as it is considered the best place on the islands for this crop.

Because Puna lies on a volcanic area of Kilauea Volcano, it often experiences lava eruptions and flows. One such powerful eruption in 2018 sadly destroyed the community of Kapoho.

History

Kingdom of Hawaii

Kalama's map from 1837 shows that Puna was a traditional area called a Moku in the southeastern part of the island before big changes happened in the Hawaiian Kingdom.

Recent lava activity

Kīlauea is one of the world's most active volcanoes. Until August 2018, it had been erupting since 1983 along its East Rift Zone. Lava flows destroyed the Royal Gardens area and the villages of Kaimu and Kalapana. In fall 2014, lava came close to Pahoa, the main village in Puna, but stopped before reaching it.

In June 2014, a lava flow started from Puʻu ʻŌʻō and moved toward Kaohe Homesteads and Pahoa. It later shifted direction and moved toward Pahoa. The flow crossed roads and caused evacuations. Officials worried it might block the main road out of Puna, so they planned an emergency route.

The lava flow stopped just before reaching Pahoa. In 2016, a new flow covered an emergency road, but it was cleared in 2018.

2018 eruption

In May 2018, a fissure opened in Leilani Estates and lava began flowing. By August, the eruption had covered over 13.7 square miles, including land added to the shore. Hundreds of homes were destroyed.

Geography

The United States Census Bureau has defined many communities in Puna as special areas for counting people. Some of these places include ʻĀinaloa, Black Sands, Eden Roc, Fern Acres, Fern Forest, Hawaiian Acres, Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Kalapana, Kapoho, Keaʻau, Kurtistown, Leilani Estates, Mountain View, Nānāwale Estates, Orchidland, Pāhoa, Vacationland Hawaii, and Volcano Village.

Puna has seen lots of growth because homes are more affordable there. Many people have moved in, making it one of the fastest-growing areas on the Big Island. However, living in Puna comes with some special challenges. Some parts of Puna are in areas where lava flows can happen, making it hard to get home insurance. Also, many homes get their water from rain, which can make fighting fires more difficult.

Puna has a warm, tropical climate with lots of rain, especially in the north and higher up. The land is gentle and doesn’t have many rivers, but heavy rain sometimes happens. The area has different kinds of plants, from rainforests to dry shrubs and coastal plants. There are also big areas of natural forest in places like Wao Kele o Puna.

Places of interest

Puna district has many special places to visit. One famous spot is the Kīlauea volcano, which is still active. You can also see old lava flows near Kalapana. Another interesting place used to be the heated tide pools at Ahalanui Beach Park, where warm spring water mixed with ocean water. Before 1960, these pools were cold, but they were covered by lava during an eruption in 2018.

Other places of interest include Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (whose entrance is in the Kaʻū district), Issac Hale Beach Park (Pohoiki) (which was affected by the 2018 eruption but has reopened), and the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation.

Notable people

Puna, Hawaii has been home to many interesting people. Some of them are artists like Arthur Johnsen. There have also been leaders such as William "Billy" Kenoi and Harry Kim, who both served as Mayor of Hawaiʻi County. Actor Jason Scott Lee lives in Volcano Village and created the Ulua Theatre there. Joseph Nāwahī was an important Native Hawaiian leader, writer, and painter. Emily Naeole has served on the Hawaiʻi County Council, and Abra Moore is known for her folk-styled rock music. William H. Shipman was a successful businessman and one of the largest private landowners in Puna.