Kamuela, Big Island

Kamuela at a Glance

Kamuela is another name for Waimea, and it is used to distinguish the Big Island town from Kauai and Oahu towns that are also named Waimea. Kamuela sits in the interior of the Big Island in the Kohala District approximately 18 miles west of Kapauu. Though a small town, Kamuela boasts of many modern amenities and historical places. It offers numerous restaurants, an auditorium, a large shopping center, theater, museums, art galleries, boutiques, and shops. There’s also the historic, New-England style Imioloa Church. Built in 1857, the church features a memorial dedicated to Lorenzo Lyons, the priest who translated English hymns to Hawaiian, and Hawaiian songs to English. If you’re interested in more history of the town, drop by Parker Ranch Museum, the Thelma Parker Theater, or the Parker Ranch Historic Homes and Garden.

Kamuela is the Hawaiian name for Samuel. It is not clear though whether the town was named after the postmaster named Samuel Spencer, or after Samuel Parker, the son of John Parker Palmer who founded Parker Ranch. Parker Ranch played a very important role in the economic development- and even cultural evolution-of the town. During its prime, Parker Ranch helped Kamuela/Waimea become the center of cattle rearing in the entire Hawaii. Cattle ranching also influenced the development of the town’s distinctive paniolo (or Hawaiian cowboy) personality. Today, Kamuela remains the home of paniolo cowboys.

According the 2000 US Census, Kamuela had 7,028 residents. This number, in turn, comprised 2,371 households and 1, 782 families. A multiracial, multiethnic community, Kamuela was home to different racial groups notably Caucasians (30.65%), Asians (20.29%), Native Hawaiians (15.61%), and Hispanics (7.80%).

Kamuela’s zip code is 96743.

Kamuela in Bullet Points

Kamuela Location

Kamuela Map (top)

Kamuela Weather (top)

Now
66°F
Windchill:
66°F
Mostly Cloudy
Location: Kamuela, HI, US
Wind: 18 mph NE
Humidity: 78%
Visibility: 0 mi
Pressure: 30.04 in rising
Sunrise: 6:32 am
Sunset: 6:37 pm Thu
Hi: 80°F
Low: 69°F
Partly Cloudy
Fri
Hi: 80°F
Low: 70°F
Partly Cloudy