Where is Waimea, Hawaii, USA?

Written and fact-checked by | Reviewed by WhereIG Editorial Team | Last updated: August 14, 2026, 18:45 ET

Where is Waimea Located? - Waimea is a city located in the Hawaii County of Hawaii, United States. Waimea lies between 41.8089191 Degrees North latitudes and 88.0111746 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Waimea, Hawaii

Where is Waimea, Hawaii

Waimea Map, Hawaii, USA

Where is Waimea?: The Google Map showing the location of Waimea in the U.S. state of Hawaii.

Where is Waimea Located?

Waimea is a city located in the Hawaii County of Hawaii, United States. Waimea lies between 41.8089191 Degrees North latitudes and 88.0111746 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Waimea city is 9904 people and the city has a total area of 39.29 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Waimea, Hawaii Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CityWaimea
CountyHawaii County
StateHawaii
State CapitalHonolulu
US RegionPacific Region
IslandHawaii (Big Island)
Latitude20.0231° N
Longitude155.6711° W
ElevationApproximately 2,670 ft (814 m)
Land Area39.0 sq mi
Water Area0.0 sq mi
Total Area39.0 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)9,904
Population DensityApproximately 254 per sq mi
ZIP Code96743
Area Code808
Time Zone StandardHawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HST), UTC−10
Time Zone DaylightHawaii does not observe Daylight Saving Time
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code15-78800
Community TypeCensus-designated place (CDP)

Transportation and Connectivity in Waimea, Hawaii

TransportationDetails
Nearest AirportEllison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole
IATA CodeKOA
Regional AirportHilo International Airport
Major HighwaysKohala Mountain Road (Route 250), Mamalahoa Highway (Route 19/190), Hawaii Belt Road
Bus ServiceHele-On Bus provides public transportation on Hawaii Island
Rail ServiceNo passenger rail service available on Hawaii Island
Local ConnectivityCentral North Hawaii location providing access to Kona, Hilo, and Kohala Coast communities
  • Mamalahoa Highway (Route 19/190) — Major highway connecting Waimea with Kona, Hilo, and coastal communities.
  • Kohala Mountain Road (Route 250) — Scenic route connecting Waimea with North Kohala communities.
  • Hawaii Belt Road — Main island route linking communities around Hawaii Island.

Top Places to Visit in Waimea, Hawaii

Landmark NameType
Waimea Parker Ranch Historic HomesHistoric Site
Puukohola Heiau National Historic SiteNational Historic Site
Waipio Valley LookoutScenic Viewpoint
Hamakua Heritage CorridorScenic Route
Mauna Kea ObservatoriesAstronomy Site
Hawaii Preparatory Academy CampusHistoric Educational Site
Isaac Hale Beach ParkBeach Recreation Area
Waimea Nature ParkNature Area
Kohala Forest ReserveForest Area
Anna Ranch Heritage CenterHistoric Ranch

Driving Distances from Waimea, Hawaii to Nearby Cities and Places

City / PlaceStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
Kailua-KonaHawaii45 mi1 hour
Kona International AirportHawaii35 mi45 minutes
HiloHawaii55 mi1 hour 15 minutes
HonokaaHawaii20 mi30 minutes
Waikoloa VillageHawaii15 mi25 minutes
Hapuna BeachHawaii25 mi40 minutes
Mauna Kea SummitHawaii35 mi1 hour 15 minutes
Hawaii Volcanoes National ParkHawaii95 mi2 hours
KohalaHawaii25 mi45 minutes
NaalehuHawaii125 mi2 hours 45 minutes

Colleges and Universities Near Waimea, Hawaii

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
University of Hawaii at HiloPublicUniversityNatural sciences, marine science, Hawaiian studies, education, and nursing
Hawaii Community CollegePublicCommunity CollegeCareer training, liberal arts, trades, and workforce programs
University of Hawaii Center at West HawaiiPublicHigher Education CenterUniversity programs, continuing education, and community learning
University of Hawaii at ManoaPublicUniversityResearch, ocean sciences, business, education, and Pacific studies
Brigham Young University-HawaiiPrivateUniversityInternational studies, business, education, and liberal arts

Waterbodies Near Waimea, Hawaii

Waipio Valley streams, Kohala Coast waters, Pacific Ocean coastal areas, Waikoloa streams, and nearby mountain waterways provide opportunities for hiking, fishing, sightseeing, and outdoor recreation.

Golf Courses and Stadiums Near Waimea

Golf Courses: Waimea Country Club, Mauna Kea Golf Course, Hapuna Golf Course, and Waikoloa Beach Golf Course. Stadiums and sports facilities include Hawaii Preparatory Academy athletic facilities, Waimea District Park, and local community recreation areas.

Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Waimea, Hawaii

Landmark NameType
Parker RanchHistoric Ranch
Anna Ranch Heritage CenterHistoric Site
Puukohola Heiau National Historic SiteNational Historic Site
Waipio Valley LookoutScenic Viewpoint
Mauna Kea ObservatoriesAstronomy Research Site
Hamakua Heritage CorridorScenic Route
Kohala Forest ReserveForest Area
Waimea Nature ParkNature Area
Isaac Hale Beach ParkBeach Recreation Area
Waimea Historic DistrictHistoric Area

Waimea, Hawaii — Key Historical Facts

  • The Waimea area has a long Native Hawaiian history and was traditionally known as a region of fertile upland lands and important cultural sites.
  • The Hawaiian name Waimea means “reddish water” and refers to the color of streams and soils found in parts of the region.
  • Ancient Hawaiian communities used the upland areas for agriculture, including farming supported by the island’s unique climate and resources.
  • The region became closely connected with Hawaiian ranching history after John Palmer Parker established Parker Ranch in the 19th century.
  • Parker Ranch grew into one of the largest privately owned cattle ranches in the United States and shaped the economy and culture of North Hawaii.
  • Waimea became an important center for paniolo, the Hawaiian cowboy tradition that developed from ranching activities.
  • The area played a role in Hawaii’s history through connections to agriculture, ranching, astronomy, and Hawaiian cultural preservation.
  • Today, Waimea is known for its ranching heritage, cooler upland climate, scenic landscapes, cultural attractions, and access to Mauna Kea and the Kohala Coast.

References

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