[3] It is bordered to the north by Holualoa, to the south by Kealakekua, and to the west by Kahaluu-Keauhou.

Hawaii Route 11 runs through western part of the community, leading north 7 miles (11 km) to Kailua-Kona and south 51 miles (82 km) to Naalehu.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Honalo CDP has a total area of 29.6 square miles (76.6 km2), all of it land.

There were 798 housing units at an average density of 27.2 per square mile (10.5/km2).

22.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.