Carol P.
Yelp
Although I live near Waimea, I made my first visit to Anna Ranch today. This is the real deal, an authentic Hawaiian cowboy experience! I always appreciate its Hawaiian heritage when I pass (which is often, en route to the grocery store or post office), and particularly treasure its poinsettia hedge which blooms gloriously each winter, in its prime around the Christmas holidays. I'd like to note that the google maps and other mapping programs, including whatever Yelp uses, don't show the correct location, which is in Waimea proper, between the bridge and the traffic light when you drive from the coast. Check out the Anna Ranch website for accurate information.
The Hawaiian word for 'cowboy' is 'paniolo.'
Walking through the rooms of the ranch house and touring the property with a docent offered a memorable experience of genuine local history. I definitely will return with my guests (I am the unofficial tour guide for many, many guests).
Anna Ranch offers a glimpse of paniolo life in old Hawaii. The ranch has operated since the early 19th century, but was made famous by Anna Perry-Fiske (née Anna Leialoha Lindsey). Anna (1900-1995) is and was a venerable institution in Waimea. She created a successful ranch (her childhood home) after her parents died in 1939. Performing all of the duties of the ranch, she worked to pay off debts, improve the ranch, and become a noted benefactor to the community. A founder and major donor of Hawai'i Preparatory Academy (HPA), Anna contributed the proceeds from her "Old Hawai'i on Horseback" shows to the Hawaii American Heart Association chapter. In 1983, she was named its most generous individual donor.
The ranch house has been restored to 1939 condition (the year Anna took over the ranch) and contains ancient Hawaiian artifacts that have been found on site, and the belongings of at least three generations. Anna's dining table, her parents' dining table, and her grandparents' dining table were all put to regular use in Anna's fund-raising efforts. Learning about Anna was fascinating, as was viewing the tools, saddles, clothing, living rooms, outstanding collection of koa (furniture, bowls, other implements), china, art, victorian furniture and more. The outbuildings reflect the working ranch, and house a saddle maker and a blacksmith. The gift shop sells items made on the ranch.
The ranch occupies a gorgeous setting. As you wander around the property, posted signs with illustrations and accurate information enrich your visit, and your understanding of the Big Island.
p.s. the map on yelp is incorrect -- use this one to find Anna Ranch:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Anna+Ranch+Heritage+Center,+Kawaihae+Road,+Waimea,+HI&hl=en&ll=20.027065,-155.688543&spn=0.102252,0.081882&sll=20.026016,-155.688543&sspn=0.104269,0.081882&gl=us&z=14