On the Big Island, they call this part of the island Upcountry. It’s home to beautiful Rolling Hills, cattle, cowboys, and incredibly friendly people. During our two-day stay in Waimea, which is also known as Kamuela, depending on who you happen to be talking to at the time, we discovered that upcountry also has some excellent restaurants. One in particular, Merriman’s, has a five-star rating and food that is rumored to be among the best on the island. Sadly, we didn’t make it to Merriman’s before the end of our short stay.
At the other end of the spectrum is a little cafe known mostly to locals, the Hawaiian Style Cafe. This is an old diner complete with a large counter where the locals assemble for breakfast. Their food? Incredible. Service? Very friendly. And, if you have food allergies, they’re very helpful.
We had enough time to visit the Parker Ranch Visitor Center, which gives insight into the history of the industry that shaped the upcountry. Parker Ranch began in 1847 when John Palmer Parker assisted King Kamehaha I by ridding the island of feral bulls. The grateful king granted land to Parker, which he used to start a cattle ranch that eventually grew to more than 250,000 acres and made it the largest cattle ranch in the US. While the ranch is much smaller today, it’s influence can be seen everywhere upcountry.
Are you thinking of a trip to the Big Island? One word of caution, upcountry is not a popular tourist destination like Volcanos National Park, the Kohala Coast, or Kona. What you will find, however, is time to decompress in a place where the hustle and bustle of the world is replaced by cool nights, fabulous scenery, and peaceful surroundings. For writers and artists especially, a few days upcountry just might be a dream come true.
