Where is Kamuela, Hawaii? Everything You Need to Know About Waimea on the Big Island

If you’ve searched for “Kamuela, Hawaii” and found yourself confused, you’re not alone. Kamuela and Waimea are the same town — and the story of why it has two names is itself a window into the history of this remarkable place.

Why Two Names?

Waimea is the name everyone uses. It’s on the road signs, used by locals, and how the town has been known for generations. Waimea generally translates from Hawaiian as “reddish water” — a reference to the reddish tint of the surface water that once ran through the area. When I was growing up, the county water delivered here was indeed slightly reddish, because it was surface water that had passed over the volcanic soil before treatment.

The name Kamuela exists for a very practical reason: there are also towns named Waimea on both Oahu and Kauai. Since the U.S. Post Office cannot have two locations with the same name in the same state, the post office designation for our Waimea is Kamuela — the Hawaiianized version of Samuel, honoring Samuel Parker, who founded the legendary Parker Ranch here in the 19th century.

So if you see Kamuela on a mailing address or zip code lookup, you’ve found Waimea on the Big Island.

Where Exactly is Waimea?

Waimea is located in the northern part of Hawaii Island — the Big Island — at an elevation of 2,676 feet above sea level. It sits at the southern foot of the Kohala Mountains, the oldest volcanic formation on the island, and near the northwestern base of Mauna Kea, the highest peak in Hawaii.

It is roughly:

  • 45 minutes north of Kona
  • 55 minutes northwest of Hilo
  • 20 minutes from the Kohala Coast beaches

What Kind of Town is Waimea?

Waimea is a genuine Hawaiian ranch town — paniolo country. Parker Ranch, one of the largest privately owned cattle ranches in the United States, has its headquarters here and has shaped the character of the town for nearly two centuries. The annual Fourth of July rodeo is a major community event. The paniolo tradition — Hawaii’s unique cowboy culture, born from the meeting of Hawaiian culture and the Spanish vaqueros brought here in the early 19th century — is very much alive here.

Despite its rural ranch character, Waimea punches well above its weight in terms of amenities:

  • Restaurants — Waimea is known throughout Hawaii for its exceptional dining, with a focus on fresh, locally sourced regional cuisine
  • Observatories — Waimea is the headquarters for both the W.M. Keck Observatory and the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, which operate on the summit of Mauna Kea
  • Theater — the Kahilu Theatre brings world-class performances to this small town
  • Schools — two well-regarded private schools (Hawaii Preparatory Academy and Parker School), a Hawaiian language immersion charter school (Kanu O Ka Aina), and public elementary and intermediate schools
  • Community — the Waimea Community Association and the Paniolo Preservation Society are active and welcoming

What is the Climate Like?

Waimea has a cool, crisp climate unlike anywhere else in Hawaii. At nearly 2,700 feet elevation it feels nothing like the beach resort Hawaii most people imagine. Temperatures typically range from the mid-50s to the mid-70s Fahrenheit, and it can feel quite cold on winter evenings.

The town also has a distinct wet side and dry side. The east side of town receives significantly more rainfall than the west side — sometimes dramatically more, even within a few miles. This affects everything from fire risk to property values to what you can grow in your garden. If you’re considering moving here, spending time on both sides before you decide where to buy is time well spent.

Why Do People Love Waimea?

Most people from Hawaii already know about Waimea and love it. For newcomers from the mainland, it often comes as a revelation — a place that feels authentically Hawaiian, with a strong community, extraordinary natural beauty, and a quality of life that is hard to find anywhere else.

The mountains that ring the town, the cool clean air, the horses in the pastures, the short drive to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world — Waimea has a way of getting into people’s souls.

I’ve had close ties to this town for over 60 years. I’m happy to answer any questions about what life here is really like — just get in touch.

Want to Learn More?

Judy S. Howard, Esq. is a Realtor Broker with COMPASS in Waimea, Hawaii, and a licensed Hawaii attorney with over 30 years of experience. She can be reached at judy@livinginwaimea.com or 808-885-5588.