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www.dahanaranch.com; rides per 1½hr $70, 2hr $100; tours 9am, 11am, 1pm & 3pm), owned by a Native Hawaiian family, is both a working ranch and the most established horseback tour company on the Big Island. It breeds, raises, trains and uses only its own American quarter horses for its tours; reservations required. Horses cross the open range of a working cattle ranch rather than follow trails, and you can trot, canter and gallop. For a special ‘city slicker’ adventure (four-person minimum), you can help drive a 100-head herd of cattle ($130). Dahana is also the only outfit that lets very young children (aged three and up) join in. It’S located 7.5 miles east of Waimea, off Old Mamalahoa Hwy.

To book Parker Ranch horseback rides (885-7655, 877-855-7999; www.parkerranch.com; horseback rides $79; 8:15am & 12:15pm), contact the ‘Gear Up and Go’ desk in the Parker Ranch store in Parker Ranch Shopping Center. The two-hour rides (age seven and up) focus on ranch history and include visits to the stone corrals and the arena. Parker Ranch also offers, by reservation only, a variety of hunting trips For Parker Ranch tours, see below.

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TOURS

Parker Ranch tours (885-7655, 877-855-7999; www.parkerranch.com) come in two sizes. First, there’S the 1½-hour Mana Rd Tour (per person $75; Monday to Saturday), which includes a snack and visits ranch operations not open to the public, like the working corrals and the paniolo workstation. Then there’S the four-hour Cattle Country Tour (per person $140; Tuesday to Saturday), which includes a light lunch, a personalized tour of the main estate, and a more customized and involved tour of the private ranch. On both there’S the chance, but not the promise, that you’ll meet a working paniolo. Both tours have a minimum of two people and a maximum of six.

A number of small farms in the region welcome visitors; Click here.

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FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Small rodeo events occur year round.

Fourth of July Parker Ranch Rodeo (885-2303) A uniquely Waimea event, with cattle roping, bull riding, horse races and other hoopla at the Rodeo Arena.

Aloha Festivals Ho′olaule′a (http://alohafestivals.com) Held during the statewide Aloha Festivals in August and September, with food, games, art and crafts, and entertainment, plus the Aloha Festival Paniolo Parade, which has marching bands, floats, taiko drumming and equestrian units.

Round-Up Rodeo (885-5669) Held on Labor Day weekend (first Monday in September). Another whip-cracking Parker Ranch rodeo, this one lasting two days.

′Ukulele & Slack Key Guitar Masters Concert (885-6017; www.kahilutheatre.org) Early November. Two nights of concerts gather uke and slack key guitar legends, like Cyril Pahinui, Ozzie Kotani and HAPA, and include a kanikapila (open-mike jam). Fantastic workshops range from beginner to master classes.

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SLEEPING

Kamuela Inn (885-4243, 800-555-8968; www.hawaii-bnb.com/kamuela.html; 1600 Kawaihae Rd; r $60-85, ste $90-185) This motel is definitely the best deal in town. The 31 rooms aren’t fancy and walls are thin, but they are clean and modestly attractive, and all have TV and private bath. Within the complex, room sizes and situations vary; spending a little more can significantly improve your experience.

Waimea Country Lodge (885-4100, 800-367-5004; www.castleresorts.com; 65-1210 Lindsey Rd; r $120-140) This 21-room motel makes an acceptable, if overpriced, backup if other lodging is booked: rooms are scuffed, tired and suffer from street noise, but they are clean enough and don’t lack for space.

Waimea Gardens Cottages (885-8550; www.waimeagardens.com; cottage d incl breakfast $150-180; ) For a private romantic getaway, book one of the three rooms here. Two are detached cottages, all have private entrances, and each is attractively decorated and stocked with amenities. Two (Kohala and Garden) have fun outdoor showers; Kohala cottage adds a full kitchen and whirlpool bath. Breakfast is left in your room’S refrigerator, encouraging late mornings.