- Waimea - officially called Kamuela - covers much of the South Kohala section of the Big Island, from the coastline to the cooler interior beside the Kohala Mountains.
- For most of its history, the majority of the population, and their homes, were in the elevated areas by the mountains, due to the farmlands and then the ranching industry that drove the local economy. This has changed in recent decades, with the building of the Mauna Lani & Mauna Kea resort communities and other coastal subdivisions. However, the equestrian lifestyle and the lower temperatures have driven development around the town of Kamuela as well.
Waimea Subdivisions- Anekona Estates - Built in 1993. Lots of 2 – 5 acres with 2 – 6BR, 1 & 2-story homes. Large, open lands provide privacy and views of the ocean and mountains, including Mauna Kea & Mauna Loa. Most properties are Agricultural zoned.
- Holo Holo Ku at Parker Ranch - Built in 2002. 44 2-story cottages and single-level ranch-style homes with 2 or 3BR, organized as a Condominium. Units have their own yard space and many have garages. Monthly fees cover landscaping and units exterior maintenance (painting, roofing & gutters). Amenities include fitness center, sauna, event room with full kitchen.
- Kamuela Heights - lots of 10K – 20K Sq Ft with 2 – 5BR, 1 & 2-story homes built from 1970 to the present. Located in the Nob Hill area of Kamuela. Both mountain & ocean views from most residences. Amenities include a private park with a playground. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Kohala By The Sea - 73 1 acre lots with 3 – 5BR, 1 & 2-story homes. A few vacant lots are still available. Slope of the land gives every lot an ocean view. Located on the inland side of HI-270, which runs along the coastline. Gated community.
- Kohala Ranch - Made up of 3 communities, which have 2 – 7BR, 1 & 2-story homes: The Heathers (elevation 500 - 1,500 feet), with lots of 1 – 3 acres, The Meadows (1,600 - 2000 ft) has lots of 3 - 5 acres and The Summit (2,100 - 3,000 ft), which has lots of 5 – 30 acres. Vacant homesites can still be found in the Agricultural zoned Meadows & Summit. In addition to farming, many Summit owners have large equestrian facilities on their properties. Wide open views to the mountains and to the ocean for many.
- Kohala Waterfront - Built in 2002. Oceanfront community. 60 lots of 19K Sq Ft to 1 acre with 3 – 5BR, 1 & 2-story homes. Vacant lots are available for custom builds as well. Views of the ocean, including dolphins & whales, from every residence. Gated community.
- Lalamilo Farm Lots - Lots of 5 – 22 acres of 3 – 6BR, 1 & 2-story. Large, Agricultural zoned residential properties that owners use for farming & horses. Some vacant lots may still be available. Most look out to the ocean.
- Mauna Kea Resort - Built in 1965. 1, 839 acre oceanfront master-planned resort community. Lots of 1.6K – 11K Sq Ft holding 2 – 6BR, 1 & 2-story homes. Oceanfront & golf-course fronting residences, as well as vacant homesites. There are also condo communities, primarily low-rise single-level & townhome units. However, the Amaui Villas are standalone units. 2 golf courses are here - The Hapuna Golf Course, designed by Arnold Palmer, and the second, Mauna Kea Golf Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., was rated Golf Magazine’s #1 Big Island course. Additionally, there are 2 fitness centers, the Mauna Kea Spa, restaurants and the Seaside Tennis Club (11 courts).
- Mauna Lani Resort - 3,200 acre master-planned oceanfront resort community. Lots of 10K Sq Ft – 1.5 acres with 1 – 9BR, 1 & 2-story homes, as well as some vacant lots for new builds. Oceanfront and fairway-lining residences. A few condo communities here of low-rise, single-level units & townhomes, though the Residences at Laulea has a few freestanding units. Resort claims to have 3 miles of coastline. In addition to subdivision & condo amenities, owners have privileges at Fairmont Orchid & Mauna Lani Bay hotels, including spas, Mauna Lani Beach Club, pools, 16 tennis courts and more.
- Mokuloa - Built in 1989. Lots of 1 - 1.4 acres with 3 - 5BR, 1 & 2-story homes, built from 1989 to the present. Some vacant lots still. Views of the mountains, including Mauna Kea. The properties are Agricultural zoned, allowing for farming and keeping of some animals.
- Puako Beach Apartments - Built in 1974. 38 1 – 3BR units in a 4-story building. Property is across the street from the ocean. Some of the 2 upper floors have ocean views. Amenities include a pool, children’s pool. Vacation rentals allowed.
- Puako Beach Drive - Oceanfront community. Lots of 5.8K Sq Ft to 2 acres with 2 – 6BR, 1 & 2-story homes, built from the 1950s to the present. Some properties have standalone or subdivided residences that are under a Condo Property Regime (CPR). Almost all of these are on the inland side of Puako Beach Drive.
- Puukapu Homesteads - Lots of 5K Sq Ft to 34 acres with 2 – 5BR, 1 & 2-story homes. Located on the east side of the town of Kamuela. Residences vary greatly in size, 600 – 5K Sq Ft, and in age, being built from the 1940s to the present. Zoning for properties is mostly Agricultural, but some are just Residential. Open views of the Island mountains, with some seeing to the ocean.
- Sandalwood at Waimea - Built in 1994. Approx. 30 lots of 1 – 1.5 acres with 3 – 5BR, 1 & 2-story homes. Views of Kohala Mountains and the ocean for some lots. Properties here have Agricultural zoning. 2 seasonal streams wind through the subdivision.
- Waikii Ranch - Lots of 10 – 53 acres with 2 – 6BR, 1 & 2-story homes. Known for being the only equestrian community in Hawaii. Features riding trails, polo field and riding arena, which is used for events. Views of Kohala Mountains and many can look out at the coastline & ocean. Amenities include exercise room, tennis courts, clubhouse, recreation center. Gated community.
- Waimea Homesteads – lots of 5.4K Sq Ft to 2.5 acres with 2 – 7BR, 1 & 2-story homes, built from the 1940s to the present. Very close to town. Properties are a mix of Agricultural & Residential zoning. Views of the Kohala Mountains and Parker Ranch.
Things to Do in Waimea- Waimea is Country, Hawaii style. The life and lifestyle here has always been rooted in the farming & ranching that continues today. Local pride rests on the Paniolo (Hawaii cowboy). The 2 biggest annual events here bear this out:
One is the Parker Ranch July 4th Rodeo. Along with the roping & riding competitions, there’s food, kids activities, crafts & more, all in a family-friendly environment (no alcohol).
The 2nd is September’s Paniolo Parade & Hoolaulea, part of the Aloha Festivals. This a town-wide party, the parade showcasing beautifully dressed riders & horses, along with performers and community groups.
- From here you have the full range of nature to experience, from snow-capped Mauna Kea to the ocean shoreline. Some of the best whale watching is along this part of the coast, too.
Beaches- Waialea Beach - Not a huge beach, but very popular due to a lot of shaded areas to keep cool under and the snorkeling here is great. Parking is usually easy, too.
- Mauumae Beach - Quiet beach that’s most easily accessed through Mauna Kea Resort. Waters are calm, so it's a nice place to take a dip. Only issue reported is that people sometimes let their dogs go off-leash.
- Spencer Beach Park - Full featured beach park, with bbqs, showers, bathrooms, picnic tables and camping area. Small waves so smooth swimming most of the time. Free, plentiful parking. This is where to go for a family day.
- Hapuna Beach State Park - The Big Island’s largest white sand beach. Often voted one of the best ones as well by locals. Calmer waves most of the year. There is a lot of parking here.
- Kaunaoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach) - Right in front of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. 1 ⁄ 2 mile long sands, there’s a lot of room to stretch out here. Ocean is generally calm here, but in winter months it can see strong currents & large waves. Stick around to see manta rays drawn in by the hotel floodlights at night.
Golf- Mauna Kea Golf Course - Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Golf Magazine rated it not only the Best Big Island Course, but #12 in their overall Top 100 Courses list. Challenging, with awe-inspiring views of the bay.
- Hapuna Golf Course - Designed by Arnold Palmer. Ocean views along the way and huge range in elevation changes, 700 ft total. Known for fast greens.
- Mauna Lani Resort South Course - Famous for 2 signature oceanfront holes, including the 15th, played over the water. Gold Advisor consistently rates it in Top 5 Best Hawaii Courses, sometimes in the #1 spot.
- Mauna Lani Resort North Course - 17th hole is in a natural lava amphitheater. Differentiated from the South Course by Kiawe tree groves lining the fairways, increased water hazards, and other features.
Tennis- The public options are the 4 tennis courts at Waimea Park.
- Rutgers Tennis Center (Private) - Located at Hawaii Preparatory Academy. Lessons for adults & youth, tennis camps, cardio tennis as well as pickleball play.
- Island Slice Tennis (Private) - Located at Fairmont Orchid, but open to the public. 8 tennis & 4 pickleball courts. Group & private lessons, clinics for tennis & pickleball.
Hikes- Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail (Hapuna Beach to Mauna Kea Beach) - 2.2 miles to the end and back, all of it along the shoreline. Rocky in places. Not a difficult hike, but pleasurable and good for almost any age.
- Koaia Corridor - 2.4 miles from the start to the summit of the Kohala Volcano. First 2/3 of it is through pasture lands, the last section is inside a rainforest. Can be very hard going due to the trail steepness and extremely high winds that blow at times.
- Waimea Streamside Trail - Follows the Waikoloa stream for 1.04 miles. Flat & shaded most of the way so local joggers use it a lot. A true community project, the trail was created and is maintained by volunteers.
Restaurants- Hawaiian Style Cafe - Strictly Breakfast/Lunch/Brunch. The Haupia & Macadamia Banana pancakes are must-try items. Locals love this place because the food is good and the portions are large.
- Pau Pizza - Some reviewers call it the best pizza on the Big Island. All local ingredients and ‘uniquely-formulated’ sourdough crust. Also serve sandwiches & salads.
- Ippy’s Hawaiian BBQ - Eat like a real local here. Plate lunches (meat, vegetable, rice, mac salad) are the specialty. The kalua pork gets the most mentions, but there’s a lot to choose from, including a huge loco moco. Prices are reasonable, too.
- Merriman’s Waimea - Local/Hawaiian cuisine. Seafood & meat dishes primarily, but some vegan options. The Mahi Mahi should be on your list to order here. Signature drink, the MaiThai, is always a good choice and their wine list is said to be excellent.
- CanoeHouse - Japanese-Paniolo cuisine. Fine dining with wonderful sunset views. Chef known for seasonal dishes as well as mainstay menu items like the garlic fried rice and lobster tempura. Reservations recommended.
History of Kamuela This area was first used by Native Hawaiians, possibly thousands in number, who mostly farmed & fished. Everything changed with the arrival of
John Palmer Parker, who was tasked by Kamehameha I with taming the cattle that freely roamed the South Kohala lands, destroying crops.
In 1815, with the cattle now under control, he established the vast Parker Ranch, which would not only dominate this part of the Big Island, but also create the Paniolo (Hawaii cowboy). Other ranches were established over the years and there are many still today, increasing this industry’s central importance to the district.
Outside of WWII, when soldiers were brought here in preparation for the Pacific campaign, life remained quiet and consistent for the residents. The tourism boom has reached here, but primarily in the coastline areas of the district, with the building of places like the Mauna Kea & Mauna Lani Resorts.
The interior areas, while they have grown and seen some change, have stayed ‘country’, for the most part, giving people a good place to stretch out, enjoy the quiet and maybe even raise some horses.
Other Pages
