The sugarcane plantation and mill shut down in April 1996. Many who lived and worked in Pahala moved on to other jobs around the island. Some took jobs in the hotel industry. Some commute up to five hours a day to and from jobs at resorts along the Kohala coast. Some moved to Maui and Kauai and worked at sugarcane plantations there. Others moved to the mainland to try a fresh start. Many old timers that have generations of family ties to Pahala had passed on. Many in the younger generation have chosen not to return. Still, there are those that have found their roots and figured out a way to remain in Pahala. In fact, unlike many other places where the larger plantation homes were purchased by outsiders coming to live in Hawaii, the manager homes in Pahala were mostly purchased by local people who have stepped up to the new economy and have such jobs as doctor, bakery manager, fisherman, policeman, painting contractor and other jobs important to the community. Some new people have also moved in, restored the historic homes and established their roots, and now call Pahala home. There has also been a movement to preserve the shoreline near Pahala, called the Kaū Coast, which is the longest uninhabited coast in Hawaii. Its now include of oceanfront park, for which the community raised more than $4 million to purchase and set aside forever. Another along the coast called Kawa is likely to be preserved. Inland, more than have been added to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which now circles Pahala in the mountains above the village. Geography Pahala is located in the southern part of the island of Hawaii at . Hawaii Route 11 forms the southeast border of the community. The highway leads northeast to Hilo and southwest to Nāālehu. The main entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is to the northeast of Pahala on Route 11. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , all of it land. Climate Pahala has a dry-summer tropical savanna climate (As) with hot daytime temperatures and mild nighttime temperatures year round and a summer dry season. Precipitation peaks during the month of November. Economy Pahala's main industries include one of the world's largest macadamia nut growing orchards, cattle and horse ranching, small independent Kaū Coffee farms, and the Kaū Coffee Mill &