Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site · Photo: Bamse · CC BY-SA 4.0Where Puako residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Puako, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Puako. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Puako
Cancer and depression run high in Puako
1 in 9 adults have had cancer (11%), vs 6.7% across Hawaii. 1 in 5 adults have been diagnosed with depression (19.2%), vs 16% across Hawaii. In all, Puako runs above Hawaii on three of 11 chronic conditions. Age is part of it: 54% of residents are 65 or older (Hawaii 21%), and cancer is more common later in life. Conditions ↓
Puako is an active town
Only 14.9% of adults get no exercise outside work, vs 23% across Hawaii. Habits ↓
Puako keeps up with checkups
It beats Hawaii on three of five routine checkups and screenings, including dentist visits (72% vs 68.3%) and cholesterol checks (87.4% vs 82.8%). Checkups ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the Hawaii figure falls outside Puako’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Puako adults…
Puako runs below HI on 2 of 12 conditions and above it on 3. Tap one to see it as people.
Puako is an older town: 54% of residents are 65 or older, vs 21% across Hawaii. Arthritis and cancer rise with age, so higher rates here say as much about who lives in Puako as about how healthy they are.
Everyday habits, side by side with Hawaii
Share of adults, with the Hawaii figure marked.
5.3 miles of trails across 4 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Puako adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Hawaii.
Care in and near Puako
No hospital or community health center in Puako 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 Puako; ≈ 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).
How Puako adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Puako runs above Hawaii.
1 in 4 Puako 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.
7.8% of Puako adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 12.2% across Hawaii.
Puako and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waikoloa Beach Resort | — | — | — | — | |
| Waikoloa Village | A− | 27% | 10.1% | 13.3% | CDC place |
Waikoloa Beach Resort: 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 Puako adults live with a disability (Hawaii 28.7%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Puako
Why doesn’t Puako have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Puako.
What hospital is closest to Puako?
North Hawaii Community Hospital in Kamuela, 11.8 miles in a straight line from Puako’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 Puako?
2 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Whchc -- Waikoloa Family Dental in Waikoloa, 4.6 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Puako.
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.