Waimea Area

Waimea Welcome Sign. Photo courtesy Big Island Visitor Bureau.

This historic upcountry cowtown is technically in the moku of South Kohala, but its cool, misty weather-and its history make it a world apart. At the west end of the saddle formed on either side by the giant volcanoes, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, the town of Waimea (also called Kamuela) is culturally unique in all of Hawaii. Its history is in cattle and cowboys, and huge Parker Ranch still dominates life.

But nowadays among the pickup trucks with saddles in the back, are luxury SUVs, and on the hills above town, pastures blend with lawns where fine houses stand. This is a thriving community. No wonder Waimea is home not only to a couple of good steakhouses, but also great “Hawaiian Regional Cuisine” restaurants. And the beautiful Kahilu Theatre brings world-class music, dance and drama to town.

Waimea Pasture Land. Photo courtesy Big Island Visitor Bureau.

Nevertheless, the paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) is still king here. Some stop signs even say “whoa.” Parker Ranch was established more than 150 years ago by once-sailor John Palmer Parker, who accepted a wedding gift of acreage from King Kamehameha the Great. When Parker needed expert cattlemen, he imported Mexican vaqueros, who came with their ropes, saddles and the little guitars that became known as ukulele (“jumping flea,” for the way their fingers skittered on the strings). Since the Mexicans spoke Spanish (Español), the word “paniolo” was used by Hawaiians to describe them. That word came to define the rugged, savvy horsemen who helped build Parker Ranch into what is today—one of the world’s largest privately-owned cattle ranches. The legacy of the ranch can be seen at the Visitors Center and museums around town, not to mention stores selling cowboy hats, snap-button western shirts in colorful Hawaiian palaka prints and riding tack.

Fortunately, six-guns are nowhere to be seen, but you ride the range on a horse or an ATV.

There’s lots to see and do in this little town surrounded by a huge ranch, and some of the best bed & breakfasts in Hawaii are up here. So think about exploring for a couple days.

• Waimea Average temperatures: 62° in winter, 67° in summer
• Annual rainfall: 30 inches

Kohala District Photo Gallery

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These Kohala photos show the art galleries and eateries in two historic villages near botanical gardens and the sprawling pasturelands of a huge cattle ranch.