It was added to the Hawaiʻi Register of Historic Places in 2002 under its former name, Honokaa High & Elementary School.

Honokaʻa School was started in 1889 for students from the Hamakua Coastal Sugar Cane Communities and children of Parker Ranch workers.

The weak public interest eventually grew stronger as the public realized the benefits from a high school on the Hamakua Coast of the Big Island.

The school, originally known as Honokaʻa High & Elementary, was located at its original location on the eastern side of Pakalana Street, and in 1957 was expanded to include new elementary school buildings and a cafeteria on the western side of Pakalana Street.

Honokaʻa High & Intermediate School supports clubs that include: