We were graced with another glorious sunrise In Punalu’u. So, perhaps it’s time to give you a bit of information on the area. Punaluʻu is a census-designated locale and a rural community situated in the Koʻolauloa District on the island of Oʻahu, within the City & County of Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. The name Punaluʻu, in Hawaiian, signifies “coral dived for”, and it could also mean “spring dived for”, referring to the fishpond that once existed here.

This area houses a small commercial center adjacent to Punaluʻu Stream (with great food trucks!) and features a couple of condominium developments, including a high-rise, notably at Haleaha Beach and Kaluanui Beach. According to the 2020 census, this Census Designated Place (CDP) population was 1,374.

Off the shoreline of Punaluʻu, a fringing reef is extended. The region has several beaches and a beach park, including Punaluʻu Beach Park, Punaluʻu Beach, Haleaha Beach, and Kaluanui Beach. Historically, the narrow coastal plain inland from the highway was an area where sugar cane was cultivated.