Pearl City is a large community composed of several subdivisions of single-family houses. The place used to be a farming area: lowland farms cultivate watercress, rice and taro while hillside farms harvest pineapple and sugarcane. Also within the area’s shoreline, farmers also used to harvest a variety of seafood. Pearl City actually got its name from the discovery of oysters in the Pearl River.

Outside the residential area, residents can shop in several strip malls just along the stretch of Kamehameha Highway. These es tablishments also consist of small local restaurants and fast-food venues. Just a short distance away, locals can also visit the Pearlridge Shopping Center, which houses large stores like Macy’s Inspiration Furniture, Sears, Borders Books and Music and Toys R Us. It also contains 16 theatres, 12 restaurants, 2 food courts, 2 arcades, a miniature golf course and an emergency clinic.
Pearl City also has its district park and complex. The district park has a sufficient open areas and a swimming pool for recreational use. The complex, on the other hand, has the eight elementary schools providing intermediate and high school education. Pearl City High School is known for its outstanding music program. Their concert and marching bands have been invited to various national and international venues to play for a wide and variety of audiences.