Hawaii

8 Reasons to Love Waimea on Hawaiʻi Island – Hawaii Magazine

Published

1 month ago

October 20, 2025

8 Reasons to Love Waimea on Hawaiʻi Island – Hawaii Magazine

While it shares its name with the canyon on Kauaʻi and the bay and valley on Oʻahu, the town of Waimea on Hawaiʻi Island stands apart in a delightful way.

Located toward the northern tip of the Big Island, Waimea is unlike any other town on the Big Island—and it’s one of my favorites to visit for that reason. I always look forward to the serene drive north from Kona, as barren lava fields give way to rolling green pastures. You know you’ve arrived in Waimea as you begin to see herds of cattle roaming, hinting at the area’s deep-rooted ranching history.

But beyond its paniolo (cowboy) culture, Waimea—also known as Kamuela to help distinguish it from other locales—is home to a welcoming community of independent businesses, award-winning farm-to-table restaurants, bustling farmers markets and more.

While visiting the Big Island, here are 10 reasons to stop in Waimea.

1. Fascinating Paniolo History

The 4th of July rodeo at Parker Ranch is the largest annual event in Waimea on Hawaiʻi Island.
Photo: Courtesy of Parker Ranch/Jacob Tavares

While paniolo culture is prevalent across the Islands, one of the best places to learn about Hawaiʻi’s cowboys is where the tradition started. After all, Waimea was home to cowboys before the American West.

In the 1830s, three Mexican vaqueros were brought to the Islands to teach Hawaiians how to rope, slaughter, breed cattle and work with horses. As a result, a class of dexterous Hawaiian cowboys ensued, long before the first big cattle drives of the Old West.

Named paniolo, a Hawaiian iteration of the word Español, local cowboys created their own style and practices distinct from the vaquero.

Today, you can take a self-guided tour of Hawaiʻi’s oldest and largest working ranch, Parker Ranch, which remains committed to preserving the heritage of the area.

Not far from Parker Ranch, Kahuā Ranch was established in 1928. The ranch welcomes visitors for horseback riding tours through electric green pastures with panoramic views of the coastline. You can also book a spot for an exciting paniolo barbecue dinner at the ranch.

2. Vibrant Farmers Markets

The Kamuela Farmers Market is one of the many farmers markets held every week in Waimea.
Photo: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)/Dana Edmunds

Browse the bounty of crops grown in the region, along with handcrafted goods, at several Waimea farmers markets. The Waimea Town Market, Kamuela Farmers Market and Kūhiō Farmers Market are on Saturdays, and the Pukalani Midweek Market on Wednesdays.

3. Hawaiian Style Café

The teri-beef burger-chicken cutlet plate lunch.
Photo: David Croxford

For local comfort food, Hawaiian Style Café is a must-try. Serving the community since 1993, the restaurant dishes out massive loco mocos and plate lunches, from kālua pork to kalbi ribs.

4. Farm-to-Table Restaurants

Since 1988, Merriman’s in Waimea has been a leading restaurant in farm-to-table practices.
Photo: Courtesy of Merriman’s Waimea

Waimea isn’t just known for its historic ranches; it’s also surrounded by a bounty of local farms. Along with local ranchers and fishermen, these farms and others across the island supply farm-to-table restaurants like Merriman’s Waimea and FORC with the freshest ingredients available. As a result, diners can savor thoughtfully prepared dishes that highlight the flavors and spirit of the Islands.

READ MORE: The 5 Best Farm-to-Table Restaurants on Hawaiʻi Island

5. Pâtisserie Nanako

A spread of Pâtisserie Nanako’s popular desserts: raspberry ladybug mousse, strawberry shortcake, lilikoʻi mango mousse, vanilla cream puff, and mac nut carrot cake.
Photo: Lauren Okinaka

Since opening in 2021, this family-owned shop has become beloved among locals and visitors for its Japanese-style pastries. (There’s usually a line out the door, but it moves quickly!) From pillowy strawberry shortcake and delicate cheesecake to a curry pan (buttery bread stuffed with savory curry), everything is made with care at Pâtisserie Nanako.

The raspberry ladybug is the bakery’s signature dessert. With a light chocolate cake base, the rich chocolate mousse is encased in a glossy raspberry glaze. And it’s delightful!

6. Cherry Blossoms Bloom in the Spring

The Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is held every February to celebrate the cultural significance of the trees.
Photo: Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau (IHVB)/Kirk Lee Aeder

Cherry blossoms are among the world’s most iconic symbols of spring. While Japan is famous for its pink sakura, few know about the pockets of cherry blossoms hidden throughout the Hawaiian Islands—including in Waimea.

In the 1950s, cherry blossoms were introduced to the town and by the 1970s, dozens were planted along Waimea’s Church Row. Today, the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is held every February to celebrate the cultural significance of the trees here in the Islands and beyond. The festivities include a tea ceremony, art show, crafts, cooking demonstrations and more—all surrounded by the beauty of the sakura trees.

7. Kahilu Theatre

Built in 1980, Kahilu is a multidisciplinary art center that brings the community together through live performances. It hosts ʻukulele and slack-key guitar festivals, jazz performances, plays and more. Check out events and shows here.

8. Waimea Nature Park

Waimea Nature Park has the largest collection of variously colored ‘ōhi‘a lehua trees in the state.
Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA)/Kirk Aeder

Spread across 20 acres, Waimea Nature Park—also known as Ulu Lāʻau—is a serene place for a stroll or a peaceful rest. The former pastureland was acquired by the Waimea Outdoor Circle in 1999, and volunteers soon planted native species and transformed it into a park. Today it boasts the largest collection of ʻōhiʻa lehua trees in the state.

Grace Maeda is the editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine.

Categories: Hawai‘i Island, Hawai‘i Island What To Do

Tags: forc, Hawaiian Style Cafe, Kahilu Theatre, Kahua Ranch, kamuela farmers market, kuhio farmers market, merriman’s waimea, paniolo, parker ranch, Patisserie Nanako, pukalani midweek market, Waimea, Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival, waimea hawaii island, Waimea Nature Park, waimea town market

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Hawaii

Navy sailor dies after attempting to rescue children at Hawaii beach

Published

12 hours ago

November 25, 2025

Press Room

Navy sailor dies after attempting to rescue children at Hawaii beach

A U.S. Navy sailor assigned to the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands died Saturday after attempting to rescue children from high surf at a Kauai beach, authorities said.

Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jeffrey Diaz died after first responders pulled him from waters off the military installation along the Hawaiian island’s western shore, the Kauai Police Department said in a release Monday.

On Saturday afternoon, emergency personnel were dispatched to Waiapua‘a Bay near Shenanigans, a restaurant located along the beach at PMRF, after reports of a swimmer in distress, according to the release.

Authorities said Diaz had entered the water to rescue two children who were “struggling in high surf.”

“While the children made it back to shore safely, he encountered trouble in the water,” the Kauai Police Department said.

Ocean Safety Bureau and Barking Sands Fire and Emergency Services Department personnel rescued the 47-year-old from the water and undertook lifesaving efforts, authorities said. He was transported to Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waimea, where he was later pronounced dead.

Diaz reported to PMRF in October, according to the Navy. He previously served on the guided-missile destroyer USS Ross and at Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia, among other duty stations.

His awards and decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation and Kosovo Campaign Medal, among others.

Diaz enlisted in the Navy in 1997, according to service records. He promoted to master-at-arms 1st class in 2022.

About Beth Sullivan

Beth Sullivan is an editor for Military Times. Previously, she worked as a staff reporter for The Daily Memphian and as an assistant editor at The Austin Chronicle.

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LIST: Here’s the holiday hours of malls on each island

Published

1 day ago

November 25, 2025

Press Room

LIST: Here’s the holiday hours of malls on each island

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Not sure when the mall closest to you is open? This is your island-by-island mall guide to shopping during the holiday season of chaos and cheer!

Oʻahu

The busiest malls on Oʻahu include: Ala Moana Center, International Market Place, Kahala Mall, Ka Makana Aliʻi, Pearlridge Center, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikele Premium Outlets and Windward Mall.

Ala Moana

Normally open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., the mall will extend their hours starting Dec. 5–although individual store and restaurant hours may be different.

The following hours are the holiday schedule:

Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day) – Closed
Nov. 28 (Black Friday) – 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Nov. 29 to Dec. 4 (Normal hours) – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Dec. 5 to 23 (Extended hours) – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed
Dec. 26-30 (Extended Hours) – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Jan. 1 (Fukubukuro) – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

During their extended hours, the mall will close at 8 p.m. on Sundays.

International Market Place

The International Market Place’s hours will not change for the holidays, according to their website.

Monday through Sunday the mall will remain open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with varying hours for certain stores and restaurants.

Kahala Mall

Regular mall hours for Kahala are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The following hours are the holiday schedule:

Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day) – Closed
Nov. 28 (Black Friday) – 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Nov. 29 to Dec. 22 (Regular hours) – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dec. 23 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed
Dec. 26 to 29 (Regular hours) – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dec. 30 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

On Jan. 2, 2026, the regular mall hours will begin again for the new year.

Ka Makana Aliʻi

Ka Makana Aliʻi’s hours will not change for the holidays, according to their website.

Monday through Saturday the mall will remain open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, with varying hours for certain stores and restaurants.

Pearlridge Center

The mall’s regular hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The following is their extended holiday hours:

Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day) – Closed
Nov. 28 (Black Friday) – 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Nov. 29 – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Nov. 30 to Dec. 7 (Regular hours):
- Mondays through Saturdays – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Sundays – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dec. 8 to Dec. 14 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dec. 15 to Dec. 19 – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Dec. 20 to Dec. 23 – 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed
Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Some stores and restaurants may operate with varying hours.

The mall will return to its regular hours starting Dec. 26.

Royal Hawaiian Center

According to their website, Royal Hawaiian Center’s hours will not change for the holidays.

Monday through Sunday the mall will remain open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with varying hours for certain restaurants.

Waikele Premium Outlets

Starting on Dec. 1, the following are the extended hours for the center:

Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day) – CLOSED
Nov. 28 (Black Friday) – 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Nov. 29 – 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Nov. 30 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Dec. 1 to Dec. 6 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Dec. 7 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Dec. 8 to Dec. 12 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Dec. 13 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dec. 14 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Dec. 15 to Dec. 20 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dec. 21 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Dec. 22 to 23 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed
Dec. 26 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dec. 27 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Dec. 28 – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dec. 29 to 30 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) to Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day) – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Windward Mall

The mall’s regular hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Extended holiday hours are listed below:

Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving) – Closed
Nov. 28 (Black Friday) – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed

Kauai

The busiest shopping areas on Kauai include: Kukui Grove Center, Poipu Shopping Village, Princeville Center and The Shops at Kukuiʻula.

Kukui Grove Center

The center’s regular hours are 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Their website doesn’t display any extended holiday hours.

Poipu Shopping Village

The village is open 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday, with individual store hours varying.

Extended holiday hours are not displayed on their website.

Princeville Center

The center’s regular hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday.

Their website doesn’t display any extended holiday hours.

The Shops at Kukuiʻula

Regular hours for the shops is 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday, with individual store hours varying.

Shopping hours for Nov. 28 (Black Friday) are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Maui

The busiest places to shop on Maui include: Maui Mall Village, Queen Kaʻahaumanu Center, The Shops at Wailea and Whalers Village.

Maui Mall Village

From Nov. 17 to 23, the village hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Their website doesn’t display any extended holiday hours.

Queen Kaʻahaumanu Center

The center’s hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Extended holiday hours are not displayed on their website.

The Shops at Wailea

Regular hours at the shops are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday.

Their website doesn’t display any extended holiday hours or closures.

Whalers Village

The village hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday, with individual store and restaurant hours varying.

Extended holiday hours are not yet displayed on their website.

Hawaiʻi Island

The busiest shopping places on Hawaiʻi Island include: Prince Kuhio Plaza, Queens’ Marketplace, The Shops at Mauna Lani and Waimea Center.

Prince Kuhio Plaza

The plaza’s hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Extended holiday hours are not yet displayed on their website.

Queens’ Marketplace

The marketplace hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday to Sunday.

Their website doesn’t display extended holiday hours.

The Shops at Mauna Lani

The shops are open on Monday to Sunday with varying hours for each store.

Their website doesn’t display extended holiday hours.

Waimea Center

The Waimea Center hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, and closed on Sunday.

Hours vary for each store, but extended holiday hours are not displayed on their website.

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How AI Is Helping Save Hawaii’s Vanishing Birds | CNN Business

Published

2 days ago

November 24, 2025

Press Room

How AI Is Helping Save Hawaii’s Vanishing Birds | CNN Business

Hawaii’s native birds are rapidly disappearing, largely due to avian malaria. Researchers at the University of Hawaii Hilo’s LOHE Bioacoustics Lab are using birdsong to monitor and map their decline. With help from Google DeepMind’s Perch AI model, they can now scan thousands of hours of forest audio in minutes, helping speed up conservation efforts before it’s too late.

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