Explore Hawai’i’s magnificent countryside in the rolling fields of Waimea. This inland town and wider region are home to paniolos, Hawai’’s famous cowboys. Its lush rural landscape is filled with cattle ranches, herds of horses and fascinating frontier history. Discover Waimea’s ranching heritage, stunning mountain views and green scenery on a horseback or ATV tour or simply enjoy some fine Hawai’ian fresh produce at one of the town’s restaurants.
Discover how Waimea’s paniolo and ranching culture began with an informative tour through Parker Ranch, a famous Hawai’ian landmark and one of the largest ranching estates in the United States. Paniolo heritage began with the arrival of Spanish vaqueros (cowboys), who brought their herding and ranching traditions to Hawai’i in the late 19th century. The word “paniolo” is supposedly derived from a Hawai’ian interpretation of the Spanish word “español.” Visit Kahua Ranch to experience how a working cattle and sheep ranch operates. Visit Waimea on July 4 to see the town come to life for the annual rodeo.
Enjoy an evening of culture and fine dining in Waimea town. Try delicious traditional Hawai’ian cuisine before checking out the Kahilu Theater to watch music and dance performances in this state-of-the-art venue.
Find a range of exciting destinations just outside of Waimea along the scenic Kohala Mountain Road. Head north from the town to Hawi, a pretty town filled with art galleries and Kona coffee shops. This town is also near the home of the original King Kamehameha I Statue in Kepaau. Continue east to find the magnificent Pololu Valley Lookout, a breathtaking vista featuring the lushly forested Pololu Valley and the rugged northeastern Kohala coastline.
Make Waimea a laidback and historical detour on your road trip through North Kohala. This region has enjoyable weather conditions for most of the year and offers respite break from resort-style beach tourism. Reach Waimea via car or fly in to Waimea-Kohala Airport.
