Hawaiʻi Island3 daysEasy

Chef Ippy Aiona's Weekend in Waimea

Best time: Summer (Jun–Aug)Cost: LuxuryGetting around: Car Rental, Walking

Written by Sarah Burchard

The town of Waimea, also known as Kamuela, on Hawaiʻi Island's northwest side is located about 15 miles inland from the Kohala Coast. It's famous for its paniolo, or cowboy, culture and rolling green pastures. The history of ranching on this Island dates back to 1793, when Capt. George Vancouver brought the first cattle to King Kamehameha I. In 1847, Parker Ranch was established in Waimea and was once the largest ranch in the United States.

For this itinerary, we are featuring the voice of local chef and restaurateur Ippy Aiona. Here, he shares what Waimea means to him and recommends his favorite spots for the best Waimea experience.

About Chef Ippy Aiona

Ippy Aiona, or Chef Ippy as most people know him, was born and raised in Waimea, where he owns two restaurants. His father, a Native Hawaiian born and raised in Hilo, owned a plate lunch spot called Kamuela Deli, and his Italian mother owned a restaurant called Solimene's. Chef Ippy grew up in these restaurants and, after graduating from high school, decided to go to San Francisco for culinary school. There he met his wife, a fellow chef who is now also his business partner. Chef Ippy has competed on cooking competition shows such as "Next Food Network Star" and “Iron Chef Canada” — which he won. He is now an established restaurateur on Hawaiʻi Island, the author of two cookbooks including the recently published "Growing Up Hapa in Hawaiʻi," and the host of the Emmy Award-winning series "Eating Our Roots" — a docuseries highlighting local ingredients and their cultural significance to Hawaiʻi's culinary heritage.

The following is as told to Sarah Burchard by Ippy Aiona. Edited for clarity.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Friday

I grew up in the service industry, so we were always serving Waimea and we knew everyone. My dad's restaurant was notorious. We opened at five in the morning, so all the cowboys and the old Japanese guys would come to eat.

Waimea is one of those types of places where you don't lock your doors. I know that's a cliche, but it's the truth. Everybody knows each other. Everybody kind of looks out for each other. It's a real tight knit community. It's grown a lot since I was a little kid, but that's why I'm raising my daughters here. It's a special place. All my friends that I grew up with are now living here with their kids. Now that I'm an adult, I realize I was extremely lucky to live in Waimea growing up.

Check into Kamuela Inn

Ippy's Hawaiian BBQ

Plate lunch with Korean pork, smoked kālua pork, mac salad and green salad at Ippy's Hawaiian BBQ. Photo by Sarah Burchard.

Big Island Brewhouse

Big Island Brewhaus. Photo by Sarah Burchard.

Saturday

Waimea is a "country bougie" kind of world. It's a little more pricey. From when I was a kid until now, Waimea has turned into a much more expensive place to live. It's lush, it's green. Everybody wants to be here. Well, at least I think everybody wants to be here.

Not only do we have so many micro climates, but we have so many micro cultures. Everyone kind of has their own style and you can kind of pick and choose where you fit in.

Waimea is especially fun on a Saturday. You can go to the farmers markets, get your food, get your produce and take it for a picnic.

Coffee at Country Grounds Coffee Co.

Drive-through menu at Country Grounds Coffee Co. Photo by Sarah Burchard.

Kekela Farm

A few of the vegetables at Kekela Farm stand in Waimea. Photo by Sarah Burchard.

Kamuela Farmers Market

Farmers Market at Pukulani Stables. Photo by Sarah Burchard.

Sunday

I'm biased, of course, but I think the Big Island has a different way of life. It's very country out here. A lot of people tend to be more country, which is just a different way of life — slower paced, where everybody looks out for each other. The Big Island is growing, of course, but having so much open space is special because every spot on the island feels like a different world.