Naʻālehu

Naʻālehu is a working town of about eight hundred and sixty people. The "southernmost everything" branding is a deliberate local economic strategy; the town leans on it because Kaʻū has been hit hard by the post-sugar economy and the tourist stop is part of what's working. Park in the marked stalls along Hwy 11; do not park on residential side streets. The two historic churches are active congregations; do not enter during services. The Punaluʻu Bake Shop gets crowded mid-morning; the line is the line.