“What is it like to live in Waimea?” I get asked this question a lot because friends and clients know that I’ve spent nearly my entire life living in this area of the Big Island. I have been very fortunate to have grown up playing on the beaches along the Kohala Coast and living amongst green hills right here in Waimea.
View from Kohala Mountain Road – Photography by Peter French
Snowcapped Mauna Kea! – Photography by Peter French
Waimea or Kamuela?
Newcomers to the Big Island are often confused that one town has two names – is it Waimea or Kamuela? On island, everyone refers to it as Waimea – it is Waimea! However, the U.S. Postal Service does not allow for a state to have more than one post office with the same town name, and since there is a Waimea town on Kauai, the Big Island Waimea’s official post office name is Kamuela. Kamuela is the Hawaiian name of Samuel, the grandson of Parker Ranch founder John Parker.
Kamuela is the Hawaiian name of Samuel, the grandson of Parker Ranch founder John Parker
Paniolo Heritage
Waimea is proud of its paniolo (cowboy) history, and rightly so. At one time Parker Ranch encompassed 500,000 acres – covering most of present day Waimea. You can’t miss the larger than life size statue of Ikua Purdy as you drive past Parker Ranch Center in downtown Waimea. Purdy garnered international acclaim after being the first Hawaiian to win the 1908 world champion steer-roping contest in Wyoming. Read more about how Parker Ranch’s history is intertwined with that of Hawaii.
The larger than life size statue of Ikua Purdy in downtown Waimea
Many people in Waimea are still actively involved in farming and ranching and there are currently some fantastic acreage properties available. Check out this rare opportunity to buy side-by-side acreage in Waimea or this classic plantation home on 11 beautiful acres in Waimea.
Nearly 10,000 people call Waimea home – Photography by Ian Lindsey
But – Waimea offers so much more than these well-known factors. Here are just a couple reasons why nearly 10,000 people have chosen to call Waimea home:
Everything is at Your Fingertips
When you live in Waimea town, you’re practically walking distance to everything you need. As the largest town in North Kohala, you’ll find supermarkets, hairdressers, health food stores, clothing boutiques, coffee shops, and so much more. There’s also a wealth of services, including a post office, a hospital (North Hawaii Community Hospital), dentists, doctors offices, car repair services – all right in Waimea town so you don’t need to travel to Hilo or Kona.
There are also several large employers, such as Keck Observatory and the Canada-France-Hawaii telescope – both of which have their headquarters in Waimea. You’ll also find a wealth of professional services such as architects, interior decorators, website designers, and many more. There’s even a small local newspaper – the North Hawaii News. Civic clubs abound with the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce and Waimea Community Association meeting monthly and a Rotary Club that meets weekly at Anna Ranch Heritage Center.
Waimea is home to several excellent schools, including my alma mater Hawaii Preparatory Academy as well as Parker School, Waimea Country School, and charter schools such as the Hawaiian Kanu o Ka Aina charter school.
Mountains and Beaches
Located 2,600 feet above sea level, Waimea is cooler than living along the coastline, yet is just a few minutes drive from some of the best beaches on island. It really is the best of both worlds!
Majestic Mauna Kea glows during sunset hour!
Spend the day horseback riding in the mountains or go to Hapuna or Spencer Beach Park. Amazing amenities including award-winning golf courses and spas are just right down the road at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Mauna Lani, and Waikoloa Beach Resorts.
Spend the day horseback riding in the mountains or having fun in the sun at the beach!
Activities Galore
There’s no shortage of cultural and social activities to enjoy in Waimea. Kahilu Theater attracts a broad range of world-famous artists and theatrical productions. The annual Cherry Blossom Festival every February attracts huge crowds, as does Parker Ranch’s annual July 4th rodeo, and for the Christmas parade the cooler weather in Waimea makes it feel like Christmas! Plus, there’s the Aloha Festivals Ho’olaulea in the fall and so much more!
Great Weather and Lots of Rainbows
This blog would not be complete if I didn’t mention that where I live there are rainbows! The combination of sun and rain, and the distinct shift from the green side of town to the dry side, means we have rainbows, lots of rainbows!
Just follow the big bright rainbows to cool Waimea town
The weather in Waimea town is a good example of the diversity that Hawaii Island is known for. Within just a few miles you can go from dry desert land to lush green pastures, and what lies in between is usually a big bright rainbow. As you drive up the Kawaihae road after a hot day at the beach, just follow the rainbows to cool Waimea town.
More Information
Waimea is really an amazing place to live – for the lifestyle, the fresh air, the views, the seasonal streams, the rainbows, the amenities, the activities, the history. I am fortunate and grateful to have been raised in such a sweet and special place in the heart of this Big Island of Hawaii.
Come discover the amazing town of Waimea, Hawaii!
For more information, contact me.
Aloha!
Julie Keller, RB
Direct: 808.987.7931
Email: Julie@HawaiiLife.com
pam Deery
August 20, 2016
Great article.. very informative and awesome pix! You never cease to amaze me Julie.
pam Deery
August 20, 2016
Great article.. very informative and awesome pix! You never cease to amaze me Julie.
Merry Anne Stone
August 21, 2016
I loved it!
Julie Keller, R(B)
August 22, 2016
Thank Merry Anne 🙂
Merry Anne Stone
August 21, 2016
I loved it!
Julie Keller, R(B)
August 22, 2016
Thank Merry Anne 🙂
Julie keller
August 21, 2016
Thanks Pam! I’m learning form the best.
Julie keller
August 21, 2016
Thanks Pam! I’m learning form the best.
michael solarz
August 21, 2016
I always enjoy your blogs…thanks
Julie Keller, R(B)
August 22, 2016
Thanks Michael!!
michael solarz
August 21, 2016
I always enjoy your blogs…thanks
Julie Keller, R(B)
August 22, 2016
Thanks Michael!!
LEIGH CIDNEY CASE
August 22, 2016
My daddy is a Native Waimea Boy. Our family has been a part of Waimea for over 100 years. My grandpa was the legendary Dr. Leonard Newton Case. My mom, my brother and I moved to Waimea in 1960 and we grew up in the rich paniolo culture that made up Parker Ranch and Waimea. I watched Uncle Teddy Bell, Uncle Uku, Uncle Martin Prudy, and Uncle Jiro Yamaguchi ride their horses to work… Uncle Teddy Bell was the Rough rider foreman and Uncle Martin and Uncle Uku worked under him. I was fortunate to grow up under the best of the best… The owner of Parker Ranch was “Uncle Richard” to those of us whose father’s worked for him. Waimea today and Parker Ranch of today is nothing like the town I grew up in or the ranch I grew up on. But my loyalty to the land will never change…I learned to be loyal to the Land from my family…
Julie Keller, R(B)
August 22, 2016
Wow, you’ve got deep history here Leigh! Thank you for sharing. You truly are fortunate and it’s great that you appreciate it so much. Waimea has definitely changed. I have not been here as long as you have and don’t have as many rooted connections, but I am sure I went to school with some of your relatives with last names Bell and Case 🙂 I too, feel fortunate to have grown up here. We moved here in 1973 and even at that time the paniolo were riding their horses to work. I love and honor this precious town and land and will never take it for granite.
LEIGH CIDNEY CASE
August 22, 2016
My daddy is a Native Waimea Boy. Our family has been a part of Waimea for over 100 years. My grandpa was the legendary Dr. Leonard Newton Case. My mom, my brother and I moved to Waimea in 1960 and we grew up in the rich paniolo culture that made up Parker Ranch and Waimea. I watched Uncle Teddy Bell, Uncle Uku, Uncle Martin Prudy, and Uncle Jiro Yamaguchi ride their horses to work… Uncle Teddy Bell was the Rough rider foreman and Uncle Martin and Uncle Uku worked under him. I was fortunate to grow up under the best of the best… The owner of Parker Ranch was “Uncle Richard” to those of us whose father’s worked for him. Waimea today and Parker Ranch of today is nothing like the town I grew up in or the ranch I grew up on. But my loyalty to the land will never change…I learned to be loyal to the Land from my family…
Julie Keller, R(B)
August 22, 2016
Wow, you’ve got deep history here Leigh! Thank you for sharing. You truly are fortunate and it’s great that you appreciate it so much. Waimea has definitely changed. I have not been here as long as you have and don’t have as many rooted connections, but I am sure I went to school with some of your relatives with last names Bell and Case 🙂 I too, feel fortunate to have grown up here. We moved here in 1973 and even at that time the paniolo were riding their horses to work. I love and honor this precious town and land and will never take it for granite.
Linda
August 24, 2016
In ten years when I retire, Waimea is my destination. Hope it doesn’t change too much more. When I was there as a student at HPA, there were no traffic lights. I’ll be contacting you in a few years to look at property!
Julie keller
August 25, 2016
Hi Linda, sounds like a great plan! And I’m you in hoping for less change.
Linda
August 24, 2016
In ten years when I retire, Waimea is my destination. Hope it doesn’t change too much more. When I was there as a student at HPA, there were no traffic lights. I’ll be contacting you in a few years to look at property!
Julie keller
August 25, 2016
Hi Linda, sounds like a great plan! And I’m you in hoping for less change.
James Burns
August 27, 2016
I used to live there and there’s no place on earth just like Waimea. This was an excellent article, great pictures but it has to be experienced nothing can describe it outside of experiencing it.
Julie Keller, RB
August 30, 2016
Thank you James, and you are absolutely right – must be experienced!
James Burns
August 27, 2016
I used to live there and there’s no place on earth just like Waimea. This was an excellent article, great pictures but it has to be experienced nothing can describe it outside of experiencing it.
Julie Keller, RB
August 30, 2016
Thank you James, and you are absolutely right – must be experienced!
JANICE MONRO
September 24, 2016
Hi, my Late Husband (TIM ) and I lived there for 10 years and loved it ( Lakeland )
we sang with the Hawaiian Civic club and Auntie Margie’s group on Tuesday’s-,ALSO
in Konakaa at the vegetable stands on Saturdays mornings with a bunch of locals and we LOVED everything about it… Beside missing my- Tim, I am missing Waimea–too– and all our dear friends—I am too old now to move back !!!!..—
ALOHA TO EVERYONE THERE– Janice Monro
JANICE MONRO
September 24, 2016
Hi, my Late Husband (TIM ) and I lived there for 10 years and loved it ( Lakeland )
we sang with the Hawaiian Civic club and Auntie Margie’s group on Tuesday’s-,ALSO
in Konakaa at the vegetable stands on Saturdays mornings with a bunch of locals and we LOVED everything about it… Beside missing my- Tim, I am missing Waimea–too– and all our dear friends—I am too old now to move back !!!!..—
ALOHA TO EVERYONE THERE– Janice Monro
Nicola
February 4, 2018
Great insight, I’m planning a move with dogs trying to figure out if the big island is the place!
Julie Keller
February 4, 2018
> Aloha Nicola, I am dog lover 🙂 Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the Big Island.
Nicola
February 5, 2018
Julie
We are trying to decide which island to move to , we love kauai but would really like a little more space to move around. When we looked at the big island you can find more space but I would prefer not to live in the rain !! Several articles I read talk about drugs and high crime rates, I am not sure if this is just crabby individuals who only see the negative or if this just a reflection of society right now. I plan to work as a nurse so need to be in the right area for that and I want to work with the community , I love diversity and really want to immerse myself in the islands.We have three dogs we are bringing and an assortment of household items in a crate, the dogs are in process of being rabies tested so we can bring them straight off the plane. We plan to buy property and make the islands our home.
I grew up in England by the seaside and it’s time to return to an island and be surrounded by the sea.
Any help would be gratefully accepted.
Thanks
Nicola
Brenna Harrington
February 6, 2018
> Aloha Nicola!
The Big Island is great, and Julie really knows it well. You will be in good hands with her as a guide.
While I appreciate all of the islands, Kauai really resonated with me, and I chose to relocate here with my family from the mainland. I understand what you are going through! It is amazing how much diversity and variety of activities there are here, on such a small island.
If I can be a resource for you on Kauai, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
Warm regards,
Brenna
HARRISON LUNA
April 27, 2019
Nice article and pics. Where do people who live there work because I know there’s no high paying jobs anywhere nearby that can pay a Waimea mortgage and raise a family?
Mahalo
Matthew Dougan
March 3, 2024
Nice post. I lived in Kailua on Oahu back in 81′-82′ I was a junior in high school then, went to Kalaheo High. At that time we lived in a home that was only 2 or 3 blocks off the beach and my Dad could have bought the home we rented then for only $40k!
My how times have changed, that same house now will bring at least $1.5 -2 million.
I am an Architect and would love to do a custom home design on one of the Islands in Hawaii. I grew up in the ranching business and I’m sure I’d love the upland farm and ranching country on the Big Island or on Maui.
Next time I am able to make a trip out to Hawaii I am going to make it a point to Check out Waimea on the Big Island.
I look forward to more of your posts!