Located near South Point at the southern tip of the Big Island, the charming small town of Naalehu is the southernmost town in the United States. Naalehu is also the center of activity in the Kau district with interesting shops, art galleries, restaurants, a museum, bakery, old theater house and a hotel.
The Naalehu area is home to about 1,000 people and enjoys expansive ocean views and lush landscaping with the Kau Forest Reserve located nearby. Bordering the town are lovely black sand beaches and nearby is Mahana Beach which is known as Green Sand Beach. Naalehu means “The volcanic ashes.”
Golf in the Naalehu area includes the Discovery Harbor Golf & Country Club. The par-72 course plays to 6,320 yards from the longest tees and was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Naalehu also hosts an annual rodeo and a hula festival.
Naalehu Elementary and Intermediate School serves grades Kindergarten through 7 and is the southernmost school in the United States. An outdoor market in Naalehu offers local fruits and produce every Wednesday and Saturday. Naalehu is located between Mile Markers 63 and 65 on the Mamalahoa Hwy. (Hwy. 11).