| Waimea Visitor Information |
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Welcome to Waimea!
Waimea, known to the US Postal Service as Kamuela, is a small town of approximately 9000 located on the Big Island of Hawai`i at the 2900 foot elevation. Waimea, meaning red waters in Hawaiian, gets its name from the reddish color of the streams that flow through the center of town.
Waimea was historically a ranching community, with cattle coming into its history through a gift to King Kamehameha I in 1792, who put into place a kapu (taboo) on killing of the cattle. This kapu allowed them to multiply in great numbers for the next three decades which eventually caused havoc on the land, ruining many crops and forest.
Around 1830, Kamehameha III turned to Spanish cowboys “vaqueros” to help teach the Hawaiians how to ride horses and the basics of cattle control. Hawaii had its first cowboys, called “Paniolo”, by 1836. In 1848 John Palmer Parker founded Parker Ranch in Waimea. Parker Ranch is still among the largest ranches in the United States, spanning approximately 150,000 acres across Hawai`i Island. It is also one of the country’s oldest ranches, with more than 160 years of history.
The Kahilu Theatre Foundation was conceived and built by the Parker heir Richard Smart in 1980. Today, Parker Ranch still controls much of the land and resources in North Hawai`i.
Currently Waimea offers many shopping, dining, and visitor experiences. In addition astronomy and education provide much of the employment opportunities in the town.
Places to Eat
Aka Sushi 808-887-2320
65-1158 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea, HI 96743
Big Island Brewhaus 808-887-1717
64-1066 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea, HI 96743
Dom De Luca's Restaurant 808-887-1313
65-1158 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea, HI 96743
FORC Restaurant 808-731-4656
65-1214 Lindsey Rd, Waimea, HI 96743
Hawaiian Style Cafe 808-885-4295
65-1290 Kawaihae Rd, Waimea, HI 96743
James Angelo's Underground Pizza 808-885-7888
64-974 Hawaii Belt Rd, Waimea, HI 96743
Lilikoi Cafe 808-887-1400
67-1185 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea, HI 96743
Merrimans Big Island 808-885-6822
65-1227B Opelo Rd, Waimea, HI 96743
Red Water Cafe 808-885-9299
65-1299 Kawaihae Rd, Waimea, HI 96743
Pau Pizza 808-885-6325
65-1227 Opelo Rd, Waimea, HI 96743
The Fish & The Hog 808-885-6268
64-957 Hawaii Belt Rd, Waimea, HI 96743
Village Burger Waimea 808-885-7319
67-1185 Hawaii Belt Rd, Waimea, HI 96743
Places to Stay
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel 808-882-7222
62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Dr, Waimea, HI 96743
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort 888-977-4623
62-100 Kauna'Oa Dr, Kohala Coast, HI 96743
The Kamuela Inn 808-885-4243
65-1300 Kawaihae Rd, Waimea, HI 96743
Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows 808-885-6622
68-1400 Mauna Lani Dr, Waimea, HI 96743
Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii 808-885-2000
1 N Kaniku Dr, Waimea, HI 96743
Hilton Waikoloa Village 808-886-1234
69-425 Waikoloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738
Puakea Ranch 808-315-0805
56-2864 Akoni Pule Highway, Hawi, HI 96719
Places to Shop
Parker Ranch Shopping Center
Waimea Center
Waimea General Store 808-885-4479
Waimea Marketplace
Interesting Things in Waimea
Keck Observatory
Parker Ranch
Historic Waimea
Hiking
Waimea Farmer's Markets
Richard Smart - Founder of Kahilu Theatre
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