Waimea ("red water") is located in the north-west of the island and can be reached from Hilo via road 19 and from Kailua-Kona via roads 19 and 190. Continue from Hawi on road 250 to the northern point of the island. All roads in the north of the island meet in Waimea (population about 1500) and it is well connected to the other centers on the
Island of Hawaii (Hilo, Kailua-Kona). The development of Waimea is closely linked to the important Parker Ranch, thanks to which Waimea has become the main center of Hawaiian cattle rearing.
As Waimea is a place name on Kauai and Oahu, as well as on Hawaii, the post office has introduced the name Kamuela, the Hawaiian spelling of Samuel. Whether this honors the former postmaster, Samuel Spencer, or Samuel Parker, the son of the ranch's founder, remains unknown.
For such a small place Waimea has an unusually large shopping center, the Parker Shopping Center, a multi-purpose auditorium and far more restaurants than might be expected. Imiola Church is also an unexpected find; built by Lorenzo Lyons in 1857 in the style of churches in New England, it has white-painted wood and a pointed tower. The priest learnt the Hawaiian language and translated English hymns into Hawaiian as well as old Hawaiian songs into English. A simple memorial to him stands in front of the church.
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