Known as the most scenic and rural area of the Big Island, Puna boasts natural wonders such as the Lava Tree State Park, steam vents, seaside pools, quiet fishing spots and groves of papaya trees. Known as the "papaya and anthurium flower capital of the world", Puna's biggest industry is agriculture, with tourism coming in second.

With its terrain varying from beautiful black sand beaches to dense rainforests and desert shrub, Puna is the fastest growing community on the Big Island. Puna's rapid development is due mainly to affordable housing prices. Because of the growth spurt between 2002 and 2006, the price of homes have nearly doubled. Vacant land prices have also increased tremendously, due to the increasing number of people from outside the district (often from the mainland U.S.) buying into the last affordable market in the State.

The main town of Pahoa Village, once a rugged sawmill town; then a prosperous sugar town, maintains its "western style" storefronts and wooden boardwalks. Shops and restaurants are eclectic. Entertaining performances are still held at the Akebono Theater, Hawaii's oldest theater.

Puna truly remains one of Hawaii's last rural and affordable communities