[1] The settlement is located south-east of Mount Taranaki, close to Inaka River.

[2] According to the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Okaiawa translates as place of food.

The original school house was built of wood and iron, with two classrooms, two porches, and a teachers' residence on site.

[2] Frank Bremer, a Taranaki farmer originally from Adelaide, purchased a property in Okaiawa in 1890.

[2] In the 1880s, Thomas Joll established a chain of private dairy factories, based in Okaiawa.

[5] Another roll of honour was unveiled at the local St Aidan's Anglican Church the following year.

[6] A memorial statue was unveiled at Joll Park on Anzac Day 1922 for the town's fallen soldiers.

[4][7] An individual memorial was erected at Okaiawa Cemetery for Frank Williams, one of the men who died.

[9] By this stage, many students were travelling to Manaia High School for secondary education.

[4] The World War II plaque at the school was moved to a new wall of river stones at Okaiawa Cemetery in 2009.

[4] A woman was charged with arson and endangering life, after a suspicious house fire in Okaiawa in February 2021.