Waimea

Waimea is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States. The population was 7,028 at the 2000 census and 9,212 at the 2010 census. The name Waimea means reddish water. It is home to the headquarters of two astronomical observatories located on Mauna Kea, the W. M. Keck Observatory and the CanadaFranceHawaii Telescope. It also is the home of Hawaii Preparatory Academy and Parker School (Kamuela, Hawaii), two of the top independent schools in Hawaii. The Parker Ranch is the largest privately owned cattle ranch in the United States, and the annual Fourth of July rodeo is a major event. The town's name is the Hawaiian name for "Samuel", after Samuel Parker (1853-1920), the grandson of John Parker. It's sometimes claimed that the post office is named for former Hawaii Island politician Samuel Mahuka Spencer, suggesting he was a Postmaster for the facility, but there are no records that indicate he ever held that position. It sits at an elevation of 2,647 feet (816 m) above sea level. It provides a shorter route from the shore to Kailua-Kona via a shorter inland route from 190 miles (335 km) south. It has a population of 7,000. The oldest volcano on the island is the highest volcano, MaunaKea, and it is near the northwestern base of the volcano.

History

Waimea's post office name "Kamuela" is the Hawaiian name for "Samuel", after Samuel Parker (1853-1920), the grandson of John Parker. It is sometimes claimed that the post office is named for former Hawaii Island politician Samuel Mahuka Spencer, suggesting he was a Postmaster for the facility, but there are no records that indicate he ever held that position. The early 19th century also saw the arrival from the Viceroyalties of New Spain and Río de la Plata of the horse and Spanish vaqueros ("cowboys"), bringing the traditional Euro-Latin culture of riding and roping skills. During World War II, beef and vegetable prices increased, and farmers returned to cultivate maize, beets, cabbage and a variety of other green vegetables. Farm and ranchland acreage increased from 75 in 1939 to 518 in 1946. Waimea saw many soldiers during this time who built a large temporary tent city, Camp Tarawa. When the war was over and the military had left, Waimesa had an entertainment center, now Kahilu Theatre, and an airstrip, now WaimeA-Kohala Airport. The name of the postoffice is believed to be derived from the name of Samuel Kamuela Parker, who was born in 1853 1920, and died in 1953. The post office was named for Samuel Kamuella Parker, grandson of the founder of the Parker Ranch, John Palmer Parker.

Geography

Waimea is located in the northern part of the island of Hawaii at 20°126N 155°3850W (20.023926, -155.647357), at an elevation of 2,676 feet (816 m) above sea level. It sits at the southern foot of Kohala, the oldest volcano on the island, and it is near the northwestern base of Mauna Kea. Hawaii Route 19 passes through the community, leading southeast 56 miles (90 km) to Hilo and southwest 43 miles (69km) to Kailua-Kona via a route close to the shore. According to the United States Census Bureau, the Waimea CDP has a total area of 39.3 square miles (101.9 km²), of which 39.4 square miles are land and 0.04 square miles, or 0.10%, are water. The community is home to the Hawaiian National Museum, which is open to the public. The museum is located on the north side of the town, at the base of the volcano Kohala. It is also home to Hawaii's largest public library, the Hawaii Public Library, which has a collection of more than 2,000 books. The library is open daily from 9am to 5pm. It also has a branch of the University of Hawaii, where students can study the history of the Hawaiian Islands. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the community has a population of 1,816.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,028 people, 2,371 households, and 1,782 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 181.4 inhabitants per square mile (70.0/km²). There were 2,589 housing units at an average density of 66.8 per squaremile (25.8/ km²) The racial makeup of the C DP was 30.65% White, 0.33% Black or African American, 20.29% Asian, 15.61% Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, and 32.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.80% of the population. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.36. The median income for a household was $51,150, and the median price for a family was $55,822. About 4.2% of families and 6.0% of people were below the poverty line, including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 5.4% ofThose age 65 or over. The CDP is home to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which has one of the largest training centers in the state. The U.N. World Health Organization has a training center in the city. The city is the site of the World Health Organisation's largest training center, with more than 2,000 employees. It is also the home of the University of California, San Diego, where more than 1,000 people work.

Climate

Waimea has a warm summer Mediterranean Climate (Köppen climate classification Csb) The town sits at the transition between the wet and dry sides of the Big Island, and its weather often changes dramatically over less than a mile. Waimea is located on the east side of the island, which is part of the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i. The town has a population of around 2,000 people, with most living in the central part of town. It has a high percentage of residents who live on the island's east side, and a low percentage on the west side, which are mostly on Kaua’i. It is located in the state of Hawaii, and has a small population of about 1,200 people living in its central and eastern parts. It also has a large percentage of people who live in the north, where the weather is often more unsettled. The city has a low incidence of malaria and a high incidence of droughts, and the town has been hit hard by the disease in the last few years. The climate is very warm in the summer, with temperatures reaching as high as 100 °F (32 °C) and highs of up to 100  degrees F (4 °M) in the winter. The island has a dry climate, with the majority of the year being dry and sunny. The weather is very variable, and can change dramatically over a mile or more. The Big Island has a wetter climate than most of the rest of Hawaii.

Festivals

Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is held on the first weekend of February. The rodeo and Horse Races are held at Parker Ranch on July 4 each year. The Waimea River runs through the center of the town. The town has a population of about 2,000 people. It is located in the central part of the island, just south of the city of Oahu. The city is home to a number of tourist attractions, such as the Waimesa River and the O'ahu River, which flow through the town's center.