The town of Waimea (population 10,969 as of 2020) on the Big Island is officially called Kamuela by the U.S. Postal Service. This name is used to distinguish this Big Island town from the Kauai and Oahu towns that also are named Waimea. It is a charming upcountry town located in the interior of the Big Island in the Kohala District. Nestled at 2,600 feet above sea level, the air is nice and crisp here, unlike in other areas of the island.
Though a small town, Waimea has many modern amenities and historical places. It offers numerous restaurants, a large shopping center, theater, museums, art galleries, boutiques and shops. There also is the historic, New-England style Imioloa Church. Built in 1857, the church features a memorial dedicated to Lorenzo Lyons, the priest who translated English hymns into Hawaiian and Hawaiian songs into English. If you’re interested in more history of the town, drop by Parker Ranch Museum, the Thelma Parker Theater, or the Parker Ranch Historic Homes and Garden.
Kamuela is the Hawaiian name for Samuel. It is not clear whether the town was named after the postmaster named Samuel Spencer or after Samuel Parker, the son of John Parker Palmer who founded Parker Ranch. Parker Ranch played a very important role in the economic development and even cultural evolution of the town. During its prime, Parker Ranch helped Waimea (Kamuela) become the center of cattle rearing in the entire state of Hawaii. Cattle ranching also influenced the development of the town’s distinctive paniolo (or Hawaiian cowboy) personality. Today, Waimea remains the home of many paniolo cowboys as well as newcomers.
SOURCE: To-Hawaii.com
For more information, visit the Hawaii Island Visitors Bureau website.
Climate/Weather
Hawaii Island has 10 of the world’s 14 climate zones… all within the 4,028-square-mile landmass that is our largest island.
Waimea rests on the slopes of the Kohala Mountain and at over 2,500 feet above sea level temperatures here are generally cooler than the rest of the island and the nights can feel crisp.
A. Humid Tropical Climates
• Tropical Continuously Wet (Af)
• Tropical Winter-Dry (Aw)
• Tropical Summer-Dry (As)
• Tropical Monsoon (Am)
B. Arid and Semi-Arid Climates
• Hot Semi-Desert (BSh)
• Hot Desert (BWh)
C. Temperate Climates
• Continuously Wet Warm Temperate (Cfb)
• Summer-Dry Warm Temperate (Csb)
• Summer-Dry Cool Temperate (Csc)
E. Ice Climates
• Periglacial Climate (ET)
For more information, visit: Hawaii Magazine
Public Transportation
The HELE-ON BUS is Hawaii County’s mass transit service. Service is generally available Monday-Sunday between the hours of 3:30 a.m. and 1 a.m. depending on the route. Hele-On operates 7 days a week within Waimea between Lakeland and Kamuela View Estates and is free until December 31, 2023. For more information, visit: Help-On Buss
Tour Our Town
