Hōlualoa: the land, the climate, the water.

At a glance

Elevation (most land)

1,095–5,808 ftmedian 3,241 ft

Annual rainfall

45 inmedian; 33–56 in across the area

Mean annual temp

63 °F56–69 °F across the area

USGS lava zone

4varies by parcel

Drive to KOA

~24 min11.8 mi from Hōlualoa village (Māmalahoa Hwy); typical, light traffic

Area profiled

35.2 sq miHōlualoa CDP

Land & elevation

This Census place spans a very wide elevation band, from about 620 ft to over 7,000 ft on Hualālai. Most homes are far below the upper end, near the highway corridor, so check the elevation of the specific parcel. Across the Hōlualoa CDP boundary, the middle 90% of land sits between 1,095 and 5,808 ft (median 3,241 ft; full range 620–7,179 ft). At Hōlualoa village (Māmalahoa Hwy), the ground is about 1,319 ft.

Climate

Median annual rainfall across the area is about 45 inches, and most of the area gets 33–56 in (10th–90th percentile). At Hōlualoa village (Māmalahoa Hwy), the atlas shows about 43 in a year. Mean annual air temperature is about 63 °F (56–69 °F across the area). On this island, temperature generally drops as elevation rises, and rainfall can change a lot within a few miles. Visit at different times of day before you choose.

These are long-term averages from University of Hawaiʻi climate atlases (rainfall base period 1978–2007), not forecasts or guarantees for any property.

Lava-flow hazard zone

Hōlualoa lies on Hualālai, which last erupted in 1801. USGS rates hazard from Zone 1 (highest) to Zone 9 (lowest). Share of this area's land in each zone:

Varies by parcel. Zone boundaries are approximate. USGS notes that hazard generally changes gradually rather than abruptly at a line, and lenders and insurers use the zone of the specific parcel. I look up the zone for every property and get insurance quotes before contingencies are removed.

Water: county system or catchment

The County's North Kona Water System lists the Hōlualoa Well among its groundwater sources (2025 report). Some rural and upslope properties use rainwater catchment instead.

Public-system coverage is parcel-specific: some properties have a water meter, some are on a private or community system, and some rely on rainwater catchment or hauled water. We confirm the source for every property in due diligence, and your lender and inspector should too.

Getting to Kona International Airport (KOA)

From Hōlualoa village (Māmalahoa Hwy), the drive to KOA is about 11.8 miles, typically about 24 minutes in light traffic. Actual times vary with traffic, construction and where in the area you start.

Before you buy in Hōlualoa

• Confirm the parcel's lava zone and get homeowners-insurance quotes early
• Confirm the water source (meter, private system, catchment or hauled)
• Confirm the wastewater system: sewer, septic or cesspool (why it matters)
• Check tenure (fee simple or leasehold), and HOA rules and fees if any
• Check County zoning and registration rules before planning any short-term rental

See homes in Hōlualoa ↗