WAIMEA, HAWAI’I
MERRIMAN’S
A terrific restaurant on the North Coast of the Big Island, by well-known island chef Peter Merriman, who sources his ingredients locally. His crew have a deft hand in the kitchen, and you can reliably expect a good meal. Reservations are necessary, though you can sometimes sneak in toward the end of service times. The cheeseburger with local onions, and potatoes roasted with parmesan are excellent.
WAIMEA BUTCHER SHOP
Mills Stowall runs a fine, whole-animal butcher shop exclusively serving local beef, pork, lamb, and poultry. He also offers yummy sandwiches and well-done prepared food items that change daily, some frozen, some from the refrigerator. The chili is excellent.
WAIMEA COFFEE COMPANY
Busy café on the main road, as you come into town from Puako, with a pleasant, grassy, open courtyard and outdoor tables to sit in the sun and enjoy your breakfast. Bagels abound, and the breakfast sandwich is killer. Lunch offers a yummy selection of salads and sandwiches. Good coffee and pleasant counter folks.
SANDWICH ISLE BREAD COMPANY
Very popular little bakery in a strip mall (always the best place for good food) offering excellent naturally leavened bread and delicious pastries. Breads are also available at the Waimea Town Market on Saturdays. My friend, Katharine, thinks the lilikoi tart is the best around.
MAMANE BAKERY (no website)
A very sweet family store that sits in front of the larger production bakery making items for wholesale, run by the son of the founder. I love the peace and calm of this little place, away from the hubbub of the rest of town. Definitely a local patronage.
SEASTONE CERAMICS
Claire Seastone is a wonderful potter who studied and later taught ceramics in Tuscany, and now sells her beautiful wares at the Waimea Town Farmers Market on Saturdays. Some of her line is made specifically for restaurant chefs and their kitchens
KAMUELA LIQUOR STORE
Alvin Yakawama has a remarkable store – and story – on Mamalahoa Highway, the main road out of Waimea to Hilo. Mr. Yakawama’s family migrated to the island in the early part of the 20th C. His Grandfather build a thriving business that serviced the military stationed near Waimea, that included various stores and a theatre, which nowadays houses the wine shop. Many of the original pieces of the structure remain, including the old stage and backstage area, and the beautiful arched roof built by his grandfather’s hand. Mr. Yakawama’s wife’s family arrived in Waimea a generation before his own. In conversation, I found Mr. Yakawama has a close connection to Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, and as you enter the The shop hosts terrific, informative wine tastings on Saturdays, often conducted by Alvin himself. Please stop and say hello, and buy yourself one of his many terrific wines – perhaps one from KLWM.
FARMERS MARKETS
There are many farmers markets on the Big Island – In Waimea, there are three on Saturday and one on Wednesday. Go early to the Saturday markets and beat the crowds:
Kamuela Farmers Market at Pukalani Stables – Saturdays – A bit lower key than the bigger market at Parker School. Go inside to visit the Paniolo Heritage Museum museum to read about the history of ranching on the island and the remarkable tradition of women cowboys on the Big Island. Free admission on Saturdays.
Waimea Town Market at Parker School – Saturdays
Kuhio Hale Farmers Market – Saturdays – A small and powerfully local market. Be respectful. The first Saturday includes more cultural items.
Waimea Midweek Farmers Market – Also at the Pukalani Stables. A small selection of vendors but a great market.
