Waimea (Kamuela): the land, the climate, the water.

At a glance

Elevation (most land)

2,382–3,494 ftmedian 2,894 ft

Annual rainfall

39 inmedian; 20–71 in across the area

Mean annual temp

64 °F63–66 °F across the area

USGS lava zones

8 and 9varies by parcel

Drive to KOA

~58 min36.2 mi from Waimea town (Hwy 19); typical, light traffic

Area profiled

39.5 sq miWaimea CDP

Land & elevation

Most land sits between about 2,400 and 3,500 ft, which explains the cooler temperatures. Rainfall changes sharply across the area, from about 20 to 71 in a year (10th to 90th percentile), so two properties a few miles apart can have very different weather. Across the Waimea CDP boundary, the middle 90% of land sits between 2,382 and 3,494 ft (median 2,894 ft; full range 1,143–4,068 ft). At Waimea town (Hwy 19), the ground is about 2,683 ft.

Climate

Median annual rainfall across the area is about 39 inches, and most of the area gets 20–71 in (10th–90th percentile). At Waimea town (Hwy 19), the atlas shows about 37 in a year. Mean annual air temperature is about 64 °F (63–66 °F across the area). On this island, temperature generally drops as elevation rises, and rainfall can change a lot within a few miles. Visit at different times of day before you choose.

These are long-term averages from University of Hawaiʻi climate atlases (rainfall base period 1978–2007), not forecasts or guarantees for any property.

Lava-flow hazard zone

Waimea is on Mauna Kea (Zone 8) and the Kohala Mountains (Zone 9), the two lowest-hazard zones on the map. USGS rates hazard from Zone 1 (highest) to Zone 9 (lowest). Share of this area's land in each zone:

Varies by parcel. Zone boundaries are approximate. USGS notes that hazard generally changes gradually rather than abruptly at a line, and lenders and insurers use the zone of the specific parcel. I look up the zone for every property and get insurance quotes before contingencies are removed.

Water: county system or catchment

The County's South Kohala Water System draws surface water from Waikoloa and Kohākōhau streams, stored in three 50-million-gallon reservoirs (2025 report). Some rural parcels use catchment.

Public-system coverage is parcel-specific: some properties have a water meter, some are on a private or community system, and some rely on rainwater catchment or hauled water. We confirm the source for every property in due diligence, and your lender and inspector should too.

Getting to Kona International Airport (KOA)

From Waimea town (Hwy 19), the drive to KOA is about 36.2 miles, typically about 58 minutes in light traffic. Actual times vary with traffic, construction and where in the area you start.

Before you buy in Waimea (Kamuela)

• Confirm the parcel's lava zone and get homeowners-insurance quotes early
• Confirm the water source (meter, private system, catchment or hauled)
• Confirm the wastewater system: sewer, septic or cesspool (why it matters)
• Check tenure (fee simple or leasehold), and HOA rules and fees if any
• Check County zoning and registration rules before planning any short-term rental

See homes in Waimea (Kamuela) ↗