Waimea (also known as Kamuela - to distinguish itself from a town with the same name located on Kauai) is located in the cooler mountainous area of the Big Island, although only a short distance from the Kohala Coast and its magnificent beaches. At 2,500 feet above sea level, the fenced pastures, clear skies, cool air, and grazing cattle and horses offer a country-like charm. Waimea is home to many "Paniolo" cowboys, Physicians and Nurses at the new state-of-the-art North Hawaii Community Hospital, Astronomers for the Keck and Canada-France-Hawaii Observatories, and faculty, staff and students of the prestigious college-prep school Hawaii Preparatory Academy. Waimea, centrally located at the northern part of the Island, is a 45 minute drive from the Kona- Keahole Airport, or an hour and fifteen minute drive from Hilo. The town sits amongst grassy hills at 2,600 feet and is noticeably cooler than the coast with afternoon mist closing in around the hills but surprisingly little rain. This pleasant climate and town charm has spurred a population boom in recent years and Waimea now boasts a modern shopping mall along with traffic lights and road congestion The old charm nonetheless has been maintained and there are several fine restaurants and inns and a few historical attractions making this a pleasant place to spend a night. Turn onto Mana Road (see map) from Route19 and you will experience a pleasant drive along scenic rolling farmland and horse pastures.
Learn more about this city.City of Waimea, HI official siteCity of Waimea, HI newspaperCounty of Waimea, HI official siteState of Hawaii official site