Where Paukaa residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Paukaa, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Paukaa. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Paukaa
Out of every 100 Paukaa adults…
Paukaa runs above HI on 6 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Paukaa is an older town: 39% of residents are 65 or older, vs 21% across Hawaii. Heart disease, COPD and arthritis rise with age, so higher rates here say as much about who lives in Paukaa as about how healthy they are.
Care in and near Paukaa
No hospital or community health center in Paukaa itself. These are the nearest.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Paukaa; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
Everyday habits, side by side with Hawaii
Share of adults, with the Hawaii figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Keeping up with care
Share of Paukaa adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Hawaii.
How Paukaa adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Paukaa runs above Hawaii.
3 in 10 Paukaa adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
13.4% of Paukaa adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 12.2% across Hawaii.
Paukaa and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wainaku | — | — | — | — |
Wainaku: fewer than 1,000 residents. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Paukaa adults live with a disability (Hawaii 28.7%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Paukaa
Why doesn’t Paukaa have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Paukaa.
What hospital is closest to Paukaa?
Hilo Benioff Medical Center in Hilo, 3.5 miles in a straight line from Paukaa’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
Where can I get low-cost care near Paukaa?
5 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Wailuku Family Health Center in Hilo, 2.7 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Paukaa.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Hawaii figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.