South Kohala Market Insights

South Kohala extends mauka to makai from the Kohala mountains of Waimea to the coastal harbor of Kawaihae on the northern end of the stunning Kohala coastline. Waimea, also known as Kamuela, is the birthplace of the Hawaiian cowboy - the paniolo - and the home of Hawaii’s oldest cattle ranch, Parker Ranch founded in 1847. Sunny blue skies are the norm on the “gold coast” of Kohala and the reason why so many choose to live in the resort communities. Residing here are astronomers who work atop Mauna Kea at the world’s best observatories, cowboys, ranchers and farmers, and successful entrepreneurs who have chosen to make their dream home in these sacred hills and coastline.

South Kohala is home to world-renown resorts like the iconic Mauna Kea Beach Resort with some of the best beaches on the island such as Hapuna Beach. This area boasts excellent “farm to table” restaurants such as Merriman’s in Waimea. In the middle of Parker Ranch country in South Kohala is Waikiʻi Ranch where the cowboy lifestyle is celebrated through a polo field, equestrian and rodeo facilities. 20 minutes “down the hill” from Waimea is Kawaihae, predominately a shipping harbor but with a dock for recreational boats and fishing vessels. While not as extensive as Kailua-Kona or Hilo, Waimea and the resorts along the coastline offer some great shopping opportunities.

South Kohala was home to King Kamehameha’s Kipuʻupuʻu warriors who trained on the misty Kohala mountains. The Kipuʻupuʻu were named for the cold winds that blow down from snow-capped Mauna Kea, and were known for their legendary endurance and skill with the spear. South Kohala still retains the spirit of cowboy country and offers the best of up-country living while being only a short drive away from the beautiful beaches of the Kohala Coast.