North Kohala. Photo by Kirk Lee Aeder, courtesy of Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.
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.
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.
Hawaiʻi Island
Hotel
There's a really cool little hotel, The Kamuela Inn. The new owners are amazing people, and they just renovated the whole property. It's beautiful.
Kamuela Inn is a boutique hotel in Waimea. Its 32 rooms range in size with some including kitchenettes or full kitchens. Daily breakfast, free WIFI and parking are included
From $269/night
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Plate lunch with Korean pork, smoked kālua pork, mac salad and green salad at Ippy's Hawaiian BBQ. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Hawaiʻi Island
Place to eat
The following is an excerpt from 'Growing Up Hapa in Hawaiʻi' by Ippy Aiona.
"Opening Ippy's Hawaiian BBQ was a defining moment in my life, one that marked the culmination of years of dreams, hard work, and a deep connection to my family's restaurant roots."
Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Big Island Brewhaus. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Hawaiʻi Island
Place to eat
Big Island Brewhaus across the street from Ippy's Hawaiian BBQ does a really good job. It's the best spot to get a beer in town. Other than that we drink beer in our garages, you know?
Big Island Brewhaus is known for its craft beers and farm-to-table brewpub menu featuring ingredients from nearby farms. The brewery has won over 30 national and international awards and has an extensive selection from light lagers to its famous Overboard IPA and White Mountain Porter.
Open daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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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.
Drive-through menu at Country Grounds Coffee Co. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Hawaiʻi Island
Place to eat
There's a new local family that took over Country Grounds. It's really good.
Waimea Country Grounds is a drive-through coffee shop for on-the-go locally-roasted coffee, espresso drinks, Hawaiʻi-grown matcha and teas, smoothies, lemonade and more.
Open Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A few of the vegetables at Kekela Farm stand in Waimea. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Hawaiʻi Island
Place to eat
Kekela Farm here in Waimea does an amazing job. They grow all kinds of produce, including mixed greens, baby carrots, fennel, beets and radishes. They have a farm stand in front of their property. I use them for about 80% of my private dinners and special events.
Open Tuesdays 2 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon - arrive early, there is often a long line, but it moves quickly
Farmers Market at Pukulani Stables. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Hawaiʻi Island
Attraction
We're notorious for our farmers markets in Waimea. We have two on Saturday and one on Wednesday.
While you're there, browse local art and crafts, pick up lunch and ingredients for later, and enjoy live music in the grassy area by the food trucks and picnic tables. The Paniolo Hall of Fame is also located here inside the Heritage Center.
Find Kamuela Farmers Market at Pukalani Stable every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Pukalani Midweek Market is also at this location every Wednesday 7 a.m. to noon
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.
Waimea Coffee Company. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Hawaiʻi Island
Place to eat
This was here when I was a little kid and it's actually right by my parent's house. I used to walk there to get my mom coffee all the time. It's a really good spot.
Waimea Coffee Company is the neighborhood coffee shop in Parker Square where "everyone" goes. Come for breakfast, lunch, an extensive coffee menu, smoothies, pastries, cocktails, wine and local beer. Open daily 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Waimea Butcher Shop. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Hawaiʻi Island
Place to eat
Waimea Butcher Shop is really popular and they do an amazing job. I had the owner, Mills Stovall, on the first episode of "Eating Our Roots." I go there all the time to get meats for my private dinners. What I like about Waimea Butcher Shop is that everything is local — the beef, pork and all the products he carries. I really appreciate that.
Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. In addition to its full meat counter, the shop also serves lunch, dinner, cocktails, beer and wine.
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Kalbi short ribs with rice and banchan at Yong's Kal-Bi. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Hawaiʻi Island
Place to eat
Yong's is located in Waimea Center right next door to where my parent's restaurant was. I used to go there all the time when I was younger. I knew the owners and now their son is running the restaurant. I think that's one of the few restaurants in that shopping center that is still standing from when I was a little kid.
Yong's Kal-Bi serves a variety of local-style Korean dishes. They also have a good selection of house-made kimchee and banchan you can purchase to-go.
Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 2:30 and 5 to 8 p.m., closed Sundays
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