Originally a tiny Hawaiian fishing and taro farming village where folks lived in grass huts, Hauula is now a charming little community of affordable single-family residences and condos. A sandy procession of beach parks lines the makai side, and a new beach pavilion and the newly renovated Hauula Shopping Center have townsfolk understandably proud.

The legendary crouching lion rock formation and the Crouching Lion Inn mark the north end of Kaaawa. Otherwise, you might not know you've been through town. Here, the steep, green cliffs of the Koolaus allow barely enough room beside this coastline-hugging stretch of Kamehameha Highway for the neat affordable to mid-priced homes of Kaaawa.

A former sugar plantation town, Kahuku still retains its warm-hearted plantation village personality. The old sugar mill is now a shopping center and the old plantation hospital is a modern medical facility. Today's townsfolk live in homey, modestly priced residences and turn out en masse for Kahuku High School athletics and activities.

The community of Laie is surrounded by opulent natural beauty, but is most renowned for its world-famous inhabitant: the 42-acre Polynesian Cultural Center, one of Hawaii's most popular visitor attractions. The cozy community is home to slightly more than 5,500 people. Residences are in the medium-price ranges and are served by a newly expanded shopping center and the only movie theater and hotel in these parts.

Right now, Punaluu is the tiniest community of them all, but it looks like growth is on the way. The Pacific Ocean isn't the only thing lapping at these shores. Lots are on the market, developers are developing and a few fee simple homes are for sale in the middle to upper price range. Three alluring beach parks are mainly used by the few residents and vacation condo renters who are lucky enough to live in this divine place.

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