Home to Christians, Buddhists and Mormons, Church Row is a living history of religious life on the island. There are several noteworthy, if humble, structures along this curved street, including the much-photographed, all-Hawaiian Ke Ola Mau Loa Church. Look for the eye-catching green steeple.

Next door is Imiola Congregational Church, Waimea's first Christian church, which originated as a grass hut in 1830 and was built entirely of koa in 1857.

Here also lies the grave of missionary Lorenzo Lyons, who arrived in 1832 and spent 54 years in Waimea. He wrote many hymns in Hawaiian, including the classic 'Hawaiʻi Aloha.'


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Ke Ola Mau Loa Church

0.06 MILES

A much-photographed, historic Hawaiian church with an eye-catching green steeple. There are no set times when the church is open, although Sunday mornings…

2. Imiola Congregational Church

0.08 MILES

Waimea's first Christian church originated as a grass hut in 1830 and was built entirely of koa in 1857. Here lies the grave of missionary Lorenzo Lyons,…

3. WM Keck Observatory Office

0.12 MILES

The lobby of this working office is open to the public. See models of the twin 10m (33ft) Keck telescopes, fascinating photos and a telescope trained on…

4. Hawaiian Cowboy Memorial

0.37 MILES

This large bronze sculpture by Fred Fellows, a spirited symbol of paniolo (cowboy) culture, depicts Ikua Purdy, the Parker Ranch cowboy who won the World…

5. Paniolo Heritage Center

0.51 MILES

The Paniolo Preservation Society is developing this museum at Pukalani Stables, where Parker Ranch once bred horses. The exhibits are a little chaotic,…

6. Isaacs Art Center

0.6 MILES

Set in a meticulously relocated 1915 schoolhouse, this series of bright, charming galleries displays a diverse collection of local and international fine…

7. Waimea Nature Park

0.63 MILES

Not to be confused with adjacent Waimea Park, this is a 10-acre green space in the center of town with picnic tables and free wi-fi. It's also a native…

8. Parker Ranch

1.23 MILES

Once the nation's largest privately owned ranch, peaking at 250,000 acres, the Parker Ranch occupies a vital space in Waimea's history and development…