Waimea, Hawaii
Kamuela | |
|---|---|
 Some cattle pastures just outside Waimea, August 2007 | |
 Location in Hawaii County and the state of Hawaii | |
  Waimea Location in Hawaii | |
| Coordinates: 20°1′13″N 155°40′4″W / 20.02028°N 155.66778°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Hawaii |
| County | Hawaii |
| Area | |
• Total | 39.42 sq mi (102.11 km2) |
| • Land | 39.38 sq mi (102.01 km2) |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,670 ft (810 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 9,904 |
| • Density | 251.47/sq mi (97.09/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-10 (Hawaii-Aleutian) |
| ZIP code | 96743 |
| Area code | 808 |
| FIPS code | 15-78500 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2414164 |
Waimea is a landlocked community in Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States. Waimea is the center for ranching activities and paniolo culture. The name Waimea means reddish water. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined that community as a census-designated place (CDP). The population was 7,028 at the 2000 census and 9,212 at the 2010 census.[2] Since each U.S. state cannot have more than one post office of the same name, and there is a post office in Waimea, Kauai County, the official U.S. Post Office designation for Waimea is Kamuela, although this name is only used by the post office, not by locals or the local government.[3]
The Parker Ranch in and around Waimea is the largest privately owned cattle ranch in the United States, and the annual Fourth of July rodeo is a major event. The Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is held annually in the first week of February.
Waimea is home to the headquarters of two astronomical observatories located on Mauna Kea, the W. M. Keck Observatory and the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope. It is headquarters of the International Lunar Observatory Association.[4]
Waimea is the home of Hawaii Preparatory Academy and Parker School, two of the top independent schools in Hawaii.[5]
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
- ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Waimea CDP (Hawaii County), Hawaii". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved June 7, 2017.[dead link]
- ^ "Waimea (Or Kamuela) On The Big Island: Why Is Waimea Also Called Kamuela?". Love Big Island. December 17, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
- ^ "ILOA Hawai'i – To the Galaxy, Moon and Every Place In-Between".
- ^ "2022 Best Private High Schools in Hawaii". Niche. Retrieved September 11, 2022.