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Waimea, aka Kamuela

First, why does the town have two names? Is it Waimea or Kamuela? When Hawaii became a United States territory at the turn of the century, Waimea was both the name of the town and the ahupua’a (pie shaped section of land stretching from the uplands to the sea). Waimea was also the name of communities on other islands. The postal service demanded a less confusing place name. So, “Kamuela,” Hawaiian for Samuel, was selected to honor a prominent resident. However, Waimea continues to be the name used by locals.

Prior to King Kamehameha’s unification of the islands, evidence suggests as many as 10,000 Hawaiians lived upcountry at the base of the Kohala mountains. By the time the Europeans traveled through the area in the 1820′s, the mountain population had dwindled to slightly more than 2,000. Sandalwood was clear cut and shipped to China. Soon, descendants of cattle gifted to the King by Captain Vancouver filled the deforested mountains and valleys.

Cattle replaced sandalwood as an important trade item. In 1830, aware of the cattle’s economic possibilities, the Big Island’s Governor Kuakiki ordered the construction of corrals and upgraded the path to the port of Kawaihae. Colorful and skilled European vaqueros arrived, teaching the natives and foreign cattle hunters how to handle the dangerous longhorns. Hawaii now had its own brand of cowboy: the paniolo.

By 1841 the Governor placed a kapu on killing wild cattle. This gave rise to the business of ranching, and Parker Ranch was one of the first ranches to be formed. Parker Ranch expanded and emerged as a powerful corporation. World War II brought diversity and added prosperity to the community. Beef and vegetable prices increased. Farmers returned to cultivate the corn, beets, cabbage and a variety of other green vegetables. Farmland acreage increased from 75 in 1939 to 518 in 1946. The area teemed with soldiers who occupied homes, business facilities and a huge tent city. When they left, Waimea had an entertainment center, renamed Kahilu Hall, and an airstrip put to commercial use.

Waimea was set for rapid growth. It’s beauty and business potential attracted residents and commercial enterprises. The 1940 population of 1,352 doubled the following year. By 1990 the population tallied 5,972 residents in Waimea town. Farmers and ranchers were joined by educators, building industry practitioners, resort employees, entrepreneurs, astronomers and technicians from two major telescope facilities, and health professionals. The Hawaiian Homes Lands neighborhood attracted native Hawaiians.

In addition to its paniolo heritage, today Waimea is known for its fine alternative medical community, excellent private schools, artists and astronomers. This little town has a couple of the state’s best regional cuisine restaurants, the island’s best hospital, a performing arts theater a much larger community would be proud to have, and local farmers producing strawberries, lettuce and tropical flowers.

Waimea dry side neighborhoods include Anekona, Kanehoa, Kailua View Estates, Waimea Landmark Estates, Waimea Homesteads, Kamuela Heights, Ahuli Park, Sandalwood, Waimea Village, Luala’i, and Waiki’i Ranch.