According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.3 km2), all of it land.

With the closing of the Honokaʻa sugar production and the most recent staggered tourism, the local economy has been in decline.

As the gateway to the Hāmākua Coast, Honokaa provides the first unobstructed view of the Pacific Ocean traveling downslope from Waimea.

The Hāmākua Coast was the classic plantation community in the early 20th century, but since the closing of the Big Island's sugar industry, the district has had to diversify its economy.

Presently, with much of the district still zoned for agriculture, Hāmākua has seen rising prospects in other crops including pineapples, coffee, papaya, macadamia nuts, and tea.

Honokaʻa was also home to Yoshito Takamine, the late Hawaiʻi state representative and labor leader.

[6] Roseanne Barr, an American actress, comedian, writer, producer and politician, resides in Honokaʻa.

The festival has hosted a number of jazz, classical, and Hawaiian folk musicians, including Ray Brown, Gene Harris, James Moody, Howard Alden, Big Brother and the Holding Company and Hubert Laws.

[8] Ranching, along with nascent diversified agriculture, is the primary industry in Honokaʻa and the Hamakua District.