Parker Ranch
Parker Ranch is one of the oldest and largest ranches in the country. John Palmer Parker came to Hawaii on a trading vessel from Massachusetts in the early 19th century, when he was only 19 years old. He quickly befriended King Kamehameha the Great, and married his granddaughter. Parker was hired to herd up cattle that originally had been a gift to Kamehameha from Captain Vancouver, but had been left to run wild, becoming a nuisance. Parker was allowed to keep a portion of the herd, and thus began the legacy that is Parker Ranch.
The
John Palmer Parker
Museum is located at the Visitor's Center in the town of Waimea. Here
visitors can tour the museum, watch an informative video presentation in the
theater, or check out one of the many shops in the Parker Ranch Shopping
Center. A must see is the Parker Ranch Store where they carry a large
assortment of typical ranch and western merchandise.