Glimpse the History of Parker Ranch

The long and colorful legacy of Parker Ranch traces back to 1809 when John Palmer Parker, a sailor from Massachusetts, first landed on the islands.  Parker was befriended by King Kamehameha, soon married a Hawaiian princess, and began domesticating the wild horses and cattle that roamed the broad slopes of Mauna Kea. In the 1850s, Parker set out to purchase the lands that are now known as the Parker Ranch. His descendants continued his legacy and now the net income of this sprawling ranch benefits schools and hospitals in Waimea along with other charitable organizations in the community through a private trust.

For a glimpse into the history of the ranch, visit the Parker Ranch Visitor Center and the Historic Parker Ranch Homes. The Visitor Center, located in the Parker Ranch Center at the junction of highways 19 and 190, displays a variety of artifacts and memorabilia from more than 150 years and six generations of ranching operations, and also presents a 23-minute video of the history and present day operation of the ranch.

The historic homes are three-quarters of a mile south of the Visitor Center on the "upper road to Kona," which is the Mamalahoa Hwy. Mana Hale was built in 1847 by John Palmer Parker in the pasture lands of Waimea. Later rebuilt, it contains the original koa wood floors, walls and ceilings. The current estate, Puuopelo, which means" folding hills," was built in 1862 and purchased by John Palmer Parker II in 1879. Nearly 8/000 square feet and boasting lofty ceilings and a French provincial interior, it is a perfect setting for the French impressionist paintings and Chinese art collected by the ranch's sixth-generation owner, the late Richard Smart.

A tour of the Visitor Center and the historic homes will take about 90 minutes.  For more information about admission fees and hours, call the Visitor Center.


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