Parker Ranch Historic Homes and Grounds

Parker Ranch Historic Homes and Grounds in Waimea share nearly 200 years of ranch history, Parker family rooms, art, gardens and paniolo heritage.

Founded in 1847 as a genuine working cattle ranch, Parker Ranch continues to prosper to this day. The ranch is one of the largest of its kind across the entire United States, with more than 30,000 cattle over thousands of acres of land. However, these days the business begun by John Palmer Parker, also includes estate holding, commercial leasing, and of course, visitor attractions.

Visitors to Parker Ranch can tour the two historic homes, Puuopelu and Mana Hale. The homes tell the Parker family's story through historic heirlooms and works of art. Mana Hale is a two-story koa wood house, built by John Palmer Parker. It features small rooms, a narrow staircase and low ceilings. The more elaborate Puuopelu, a "Hawaiian Victorian" manor house, was the family home through sixth generation hier Richard Smart, who decorated the home with an extensive art collection and antiques from world travels.

Key Features

Historic homes and grounds at Parker Ranch in Waimea / Kamuela
Ranch headquarters address is 66-1304 Mamalahoa Highway
Current Parker Ranch information directs visitors to book the self-guided tour ahead of time
Store hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, with a lunch closure
Puuopelu was purchased by John Parker II in 1879
Puuopelu served as the Parker family home through Richard Smart
Rooms include art, family portraits, antiques and travel objects connected to the Parker family
Gardens and grounds are part of the historic homes visit
Parker Ranch history is closely connected with paniolo culture and Waimea's ranching identity
Parker Ranch Historic Homes and Grounds are known for ranch heritage, family history, art, gardens and North Hawaii paniolo culture

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Parker Ranch important to Waimea?

Parker Ranch helped shape Waimea's ranching identity, local economy and paniolo culture, making the historic homes part of the town's larger story.

What is Puuopelu?

Puuopelu is the Victorian-style Parker family home purchased by John Parker II in 1879 and later associated with Richard Smart, the ranch's sixth-generation heir.

How is Richard Smart connected to the homes?

Richard Smart lived at Puuopelu, expanded the home and filled it with art, family portraits, antiques and objects from his travels before his death in 1992.

What does the tour show beyond ranch buildings?

The grounds connect family rooms, gardens, art, heirlooms and ranch history, giving visitors a closer look at how a private ranch family shaped North Hawaii.

Why is paniolo history part of the Parker Ranch story?

Parker Ranch became one of Hawaii's major cattle ranches, and its working ranch history is closely connected with Hawaiian cowboy traditions in Waimea.