Located on a beautiful and historic property, it was an honor to visit the ranch, learn some history and be treated to a night of enjoyments for all ages. Dinner was delicious! Music and dancing all night long! So glad we went and will recommend to all! The Stetsons read more

The Kahua Ranch in Waimea is wonderful place to celebrate a special event or just need a night out! The scenery is beyond beautiful and that's just the tip of the iceberg! Sunset was breathtaking. Plentiful activities for kids and adults alike (lawn games, country music + dancing, smores, and more!). BBQ is wonderful! Very family friendly! Cowboy Dave (as my kids call him) & his wife are amazing hosts. Very gracious, family oriented and welcoming! Highly recommend to keep this place on your list when visiting the island! Definitely worth a stop. read more

When you visit the "Big Island" you MUST enjoy the delicious Paniolo BBQ Dinner at the historic Kahua Ranch in Waimea. You will enjoy a dinner prepared by, in my opinion, a wonderful Chef. The food is delicious. The staff is friendly. They offer activities for all ages. You will learn how cattle were introduced on the Hawaiian islands and the robust cattle ranching that continues. During and after dinner Dave and his wife provide musical entertainment. If available, Scott a local astrologist is on had with one of his telescopes to discuss astronomy. The Kahua Ranch is a breathtaking venue. Beautiful emerald green pastures, rolling farmland, cattle, sheep, and horses are grazing in luscious pastures. Weather permitting, spectacular sunset views of Maui. We enjoyed this dinner and total experience so much we went twice during our stay. Take the time to enjoy a fabulous meal, good company, storytelling, music, and some of the most beautiful views. read more

This is a special event held once a week at this working cattle ranch. The gentleman and his wife of 56 years create a very homey well-structured even for couple, families and groups. A bit of a drive from any coastal city, but worth the effort. Great views looking down mountain to the water. The home-style serving line arranged meal had great prepared items and prime rib was a level above what most of these kinds of ranch events offer. Plenty of leftover for "seconds" even with a full house eating. Besides eating, there were things for the kids to do related to ranching. The gentleman told great historic stories of how beef came to be ranched on the Big Isle. Highly recommend on your next visit to the island! read more

The location is breathtaking. The hospitality is warm. The storytelling is engaging for all ages. The music is fun. The sides are delicious. The roast beef is the best I have ever had. read more

Paniolo BBQ Dinner - Sunset over Kohala. - Barbeque Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

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This was an amazing experience! The sunset views are so beautiful! The owners and staff were wonderful. The food was excellent. Make sure you plan to spend the whole evening. We enjoyed cocktails and bags before the sunset. There was music and line dancing after dinner. S'mores, stories and stargazing! Our family lived this! There are a fair amount of people so there is a wait for star gazing with the telescope but worth it for the experience. read more

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This was the most enjoyable evening with welcoming hosts and really delicious food. The setting on a working ranch in the hills of Waimea was breathtaking. We enjoyed a fabulous sunset. There was entertainment during and after dinner complete with dancing instruction for the electric slide! We were a party of 8 and we enjoyed one of the best evenings of our visit to the big island . Would highly recommend ! read more

Beautiful location! Food and service were perfect. Team members were fun and interesting. Highly recommend!

Sweet & neat. I felt like I was at a country wedding waiting for my turn in the buffet line. My table went last. Sigh. The food was Homestyle and impressively well executed for the volume of people. Unfortunately, it poured down rain the night we went, so we didn't get to explore the outdoor and additional activities, but you can tell they put a lot of effort into the experience! A great family activity and opportunity to hear about life in HI while having some good nosh. read more

Love it. Our family was there many years ago & so glad we were able to schedule a return. Long drive but worth it. Food was delicious. Great activities too. read more

What an experience.... The Paniola BBQ dinner is not your traditional Hawaiian fair. And is more Gourmet than the BBQ you are thinking of. The host/ranch owners and all the staff are amazing and the Prime Rib meal with all the next level side dishes was outstanding Don't forget to take in the View. read more

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Watching the sunset and seeing the sky change colors was Awesome! You can see Haleakala, Maui on a clear evening and it's majestic! It feels like you can just reach up and touch the clouds. Surrounded by sky and grass pastures was so peaceful and picturesque. It was like stepping back in time a little and imagining what the Big Island was like a long time ago. The entertainment was simple but perfect for the setting and family. The folks running the event are 100% Aloha! Dave was Exceptional! He's the parking attendant, the safety and history guide ....And the entertainment! He played guitar and sang! Incredibly versatile and engaging! Drinks... Non alcoholic are included in the ticket price. Beer and wine was $4. Cash Only!! No ATM up there so bring cash with you. The food was plentiful and tasty! I highly recommend the combination of brownie and the Mac nut pie...take a piece of each and savor that amazing bite. Oh! And then there's the make your own s'mores! For after dinner activities... Stargazing with an incredible telescope. We saw Saturn and her rings! Branding your own souvenir. Horseshoes Corn hole Sitting by the fire and enjoying the evening Dancing The drive up to Kahua is a bit of an adventure. Kohala Mountain Road is twisty fun. I do not recommend drinking more than 1 adult beverage just to make sure you are clear when driving back down. It's super dark and steep. It's roughly 20 minutes from Waimea/Kamuela. read more

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The food is wonderful and plentiful. I could barely finish all the food on my plate and they encouraged people to get seconds. The prime rib was half the size of the extra large plate and the chicken thighs were was big as a chicken breast. The event is well organized with lots of activities for all ages. The ranch has some of the most beautiful views on the islands. There are sunset views from the dining tables. read more

Paniolo BBQ Dinner - View from our table - Barbeque Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

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Delicious buffet dinner - the food was prepared well and servings were unlimited, although I could make it through the line only once. My dining partner did return to the buffet for an extra serving of salad. We were pleasantly surprised by the $4 beer and wine cash bar and free soft drinks. The entertainment was fun and very different from a luau with horseshoes, cornhole and roping lessons before dinner, live music throughout the meal and line dancing and s'mores afterward. Service was excellent throughout the night and everything we needed was taken care of immediately. While we met people who were attending for their third or fourth time, this is an event everyone should experience at least once. read more

We just visited this beautiful ranch for our 4th time. Our group of 16 enjoyed the venue, the food, the music and learning about the history of the Paniolo. We have brought multiple guests with us each time we revisit, and everyone is always impressed and enjoys themselves. We love the beautiful views, and the staff is always so welcoming. Mahalo for creating such a fun place for us to share our beautiful home. Most of our island friends never come up this way, although they live less than 2 hours away! This weekly event gives them an opportunity to expand their horizons, and have a great time! read more

We had such a great time here. There were activities before dinner. We played horseshoes, bean bag toss, roping a wooden cow. After dinner we looked at the moon and stars through a very powerful telescope. The dinner was very good. It was buffet which was great for a large crowd. They prime rib, chicken, green beans, baked beans, mashed potatoes and salad. The food was very good. They also had beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, iced tea and hot chocolate. I would recommend coming here, well worth the money. read more

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This was one of our favorite things that we did on the Big Island! The views were magnificent, the food was really delicious, and the cost was very reasonable! (Definitely save room for the Macnut pie!) Ted, the main Chef, and his wife are the organizers and do a great job! They interacted with everyone throughout the evening and Ted even tried to help us rope "cattle". We loved the stories told by Cowboy Dave, as well as the entertainment provided by him and his wife throughout dinner and afterwards! The Astronomer also had a telescope set up for us to look into tbe night sky. Everyone who worked at the dinner was very friendly and I could go on and on! For an awesome evening and experience, definitely a must-go! (Held on Wednesday nights only so plan accordingly.) read more

This is a fantastic alternative to a luau and something I look forward to doing again. The unbeatable views from the mountain side overlooking rolling hills to the ocean beyond is mesmerizing. The winding roads to the destination is half the fun and the reward is a postcard-worthy view. Arrive early to snag prime seating next to the window but any seat/table has accessible panoramic views. Seating is shared/community tables and I had a great time connecting with another family seated across the table. The food is served buffet style and the tables closest to the windows are called up first (at the time we dined there). Bring cash to buy beer/wine since they don't have an ATM. Coffee, water, and soda re included with dinner. Their portions are huge! Think what hungry cowboys want to eat: rib-sticking, hearty meals. The prime rib was excellent and they have horse radish available. My teenaged son is still reminiscing about their bbq chicken. They two types of dessert available and I opted for the pecan pie. They have live music, line dancing, roping lessons, and history of the paniolos in Hawaii. After dinner they had a telescope available for people interested in astronomy. There's also a gift shop where you can local merchandise - they accept credit cards at the shop. Come for the food and views, stay for the hospitality. Can't wait to go back! read more

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Our group on 7 all had an amazing time. Everyone was very welcoming, beautiful view. The food was really good. We will definitely return. read more

Paniolo BBQ Dinner - Barbeque Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

This was our second visit, and just as great as the first. The staff treats you like family, the food is great, and views amazing! read more

Paniolo BBQ Dinner - Barbeque Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

Three does not mean bad at all, but it does mean - take a beat before paying and check the weather. Really decide if you are ok of there is rain because there was for us and it "dampened" the experience for sure. Not their fault at all but just something to consider. That said, what we saw prior to the rain, were gorgeous grounds, activities to boot (again better if no rain), and a very kind and informative staff. Food actually is pretty good and hearty. You will get full and it really is prime rib. If you are a prime rib aficionado you may find some critique with the meat but really all in all, good stuff. I loved the baked beans. I loved the macadamia nut pie. And there's love country music with encouragement to dance. Some tips: it does get cool up there so later clothes, but do know they do have heaters on the covered eating area. Folks wore sandals BUT I would suggest wearing sneakers that you don't mind getting dirty (most because the parking lot is unpaved). They say it a bunch on the site, cash for beer or wine. Offerings are limited but fine for meal being served. The ride up is beautiful and you will l see animals (from turkeys to horses to cows) so have that camera ready. Also they do have a vegetarian option! Tofu sticks and of course access to all the sides! read more

Paniolo BBQ Dinner - Before the rain, a view from eating area. - Barbeque Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

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Our family of 16 decided to do this BBQ experience over a luau and it was a great decision. The people, place, presentation, and view were fantastic! The food was so delicious. Highly recommend! read more

Paniolo BBQ Dinner - Sunset - Barbeque Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

10/10 would recommend and do again. The food was delicious the hosts were amazing and had they no problem answering any questions. The view is Breathtaking. read more

Paniolo BBQ Dinner - Corn hole area looking towards the sea. - Barbeque Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

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Beautiful vista views. Chilly crisp Kohala mountain air. Fun activities and a nice fire to cozy up to. Then the food, Amazing!!! Story telling about the rich history of Hawaiian Paniolo. All the while the staff very attentive and mingling with the guests. Relaxed feeling, country side Bbq. David and his wife provide the musical entertainment with a Country flare. Wait !! There's more. Astronomer on site with a big telescope to view the craters in the moon and bonus last night to see the rings of Saturn. Get ready for a big old " Howdy Y'all!!" Highly recommend!! I will definitely go again in the near future. read more

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We were vacationing in Kona when I saw this event on yelp. Drove up 3500 ft elevation to get here. Beautiful views on top especially during sunset. At night, the skies were clear and you could see stars twinkling up above (like the song). Some guy, who happens to be an astronomer, gave us a quick look at the planet Saturn with his telescope. It was a pleasant drive up the Kohala mountains. There are winding roads so please be careful, drive slow (speed limit ok). You'll see views of the coastline as you go higher and if you must, pull over and soak in the views. Also, watch out for those young wild boars. They looked more like baby wild boars to me crossing the road. This is why you should not drive like a maniac going up there. If you make a wrong move, you could end up going to heaven quickly, you know what I mean . We saw a bunch of black cattle grazing up on the hills. That's how we knew we were in the land of cattles. then finally we arrived at the Kahua ranch. About a few miles after entering the ranch, we saw signs that led up to the event. So if you plan on coming here, drive slow (10 mph) so you won't miss the signs. It's a large ranch and you could end up taking the wrong road if you drive too fast. We saw beautiful horses along the road and were instructed ahead of time not to touch them. More horses on the ranch after we parked. We checked in at the bar. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased with cash only. Otherwise, bottled water, coffee, tea & sodas are included with your meal. We sat down for a bit before we started. I thought dinner started at 5:30 so we arrived a bit early. There were cornholes behind the property and a lasso class indoors for those who are interested. Around 6pm, when all the guests have arrived, we were asked to gather around the campfire outside. The host shared the history of cattle business in Hawaii that dated to thousands of years ago, even before King Kamehameha existed. If you're interested to know where the name "Paniolo" came from, this is where you'll hear about it. Then, we moved back inside. Dinner started after 6:30, there were 9 tables of guests, we were sitting on the 6th table, I was starved waiting for my turn. I forgot it's a very laidback culture around here and ppl took their time getting their food. Thank God it was a buffet dinner. Had I known we had to wait this long, I would have eaten a snack. The aroma of that prime rib was wonderful. I wish they put some bread or dinner rolls on the table while the rest of us had to wait for our turn. It was around 7pm by the time I stood at the buffet table. Finally, I had a plateful of food: salad greens, mashed potatoes, baked beans, bbq chicken, asparagus and a big slice of prime rib. I was already thinking of coming back for seconds & thirds but didn't. That first serving filled me up! The macadamia nut pie was so good! Never had one before but now I'm thinking of making some at home. There was live music, not by a band, but by a couple who sang country music pretty well. We felt like we were in Texas, except this countryside wasn't flat. By this time, it was pitch dark! They served smores outside. The weather felt like in the low 60s. With a jacket and cotton pants, I was comfortable. Some folks wore dresses and shorts but they had warm tops for the event. Overall, it was a very nice event. It's worth the money (about $85 pp). Not only did we have a really good meal, we saw a side of Kona that we never knew existed. It was definitely a treat and would do it again when we come back. read more

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This experience was such an amazing one. My family enjoyed it as well. The food was Ono as well!!! We can't wait to go back! read more

Paniolo BBQ Dinner - Barbeque Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

Delicious food! Fun family activity. We loved the line dancing. The event is well organized with lots of activities for all ages. We enjoyed learning the history. Even though it was a misty and foggy day, the views were magnificent! Perfect day/night for some hot chocolate and cozy sweaters. read more

We loved the food so much we hired the Paniolo BBQ caterers for our wedding! They did an absolutely incredible job - so many people said it was the best food they have ever had at a wedding. The staff is professional and so kind, and worked with us to provide exactly what we were hoping for and more. Thank you so much for everything!! read more

Paniolo BBQ Dinner - Barbeque Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

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Great views, great food. You feel like you are invited to their home for dinner. I highly recommend this establishment. Everyone is friendly and welcoming. read more

Paniolo BBQ Dinner - Barbeque Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

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We enjoyed the scenic road up to the ranch and arrived just before 17:00hr. Well organized, relaxing and eye pleasing settings. There was a large number attending but plenty of room and activities for ever to enjoy as we watched the sun slowly set before being invited to sit for dinner. It was breath taking. The beef dinner was delicious. The most tender beef I have had in a long time! A must to see and enjoy if you visit the big island and have access to a vehicle. read more

OK, this is uber touristy. However, they have their shtick down pat and know what they are doing. First you hear the history of Hawaiian cowboys. It was entertaining and good information, but I suspect that this "cowboy" does his act in Wyoming (or some other dude ranch) in the summer and Hawaii in the winter. His western cowboy accent sounded kind of fake to me, but I'm pretty cynical. He and his wife then sing songs and encourage people to dance. The next part is the buffet. I'm a prime rib kind of guy, so I thought it was fantastic and very good quality. There is also chicken, beans, salad, buns, dessert, and the other stuff that you would expect. Included is beer, wine, and bottled water, and soda. The after-dinner entertainment includes roping steers (of of the wooden variety), smores, and the chance to brand a piece of wood. If you look at their website, you will see exactly what you are getting. If that's worth $85 (per adult), go for it. It was included in our Hawaii tour package, so that was fine. If I had to pay $170 per couple, I'm not sure I'd do it. read more

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My husband and I originally saw this on Somebody Feed Phil. Then we read the Yelp reviews and knew we wanted to try it. The evening starts with outdoor games. Then they give you a history of the ranch before you eat dinner. After dinner, there is dancing, s'mores, and you're free to explore the ranch. The buffet dinner was fantastic. There were rolls, asparagus, salad, mashed potatoes, baked beans, BBQ chicken, and prime rib. We also had mac nut pie for dessert. Water, juice, and soda were included and you could pay cash for alcoholic beverages. You can go up for seconds of anything you like, so we left stuffed. The sunset view was beautiful and it was such a fun evening. I'd highly recommend it! read more

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The food was incredible! The ambiance is beautiful, it feels like you're home & the service is top notch. The property is absolutely gorgeous! I would much rather come here for a date night than go to any restaurant on the island! read more

We came to the dinner in 2016 and knew when we visited the island again this year that it was on our must do list. The hosts and staff are as warm and gracious as can be, the food is top notch and spectacular is not strong enough to describe the views. Dinner consisted of salad with two homemade dressings - ranch and papaya poppyseed which was amazing. BBQ chicken thighs, Hawaiian baked beans (I wish I could put my finger on what makes them different but they def were not your average baked beans!), mashed potatos, asparagus, and the star of the show the prime rib. The beef was melt in your mouth tender, cooked to perfection with wonderful seasoning. Dessert was macadamia nut pie. It was a great meal by any standards but the views.... can't put a price on it and worth every penny. It must have been particularly beautiful because the staff kept running out to take pics too . If you are coming to the Big Island of Hawaii I cannot recommend this highly enough. Thank you to Ted, your family and the entire crew - wonderful night and wonderful memories for me and my son! read more

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This experience was worth the price in my opinion. It is unlike anything else I've done in Hawaii. I'd recommend that everyone do it once. It was kinda like attending a wedding reception for a work acquaintance in the middle of nowhere somewhere in Midwest America with a few exceptions: the food was delicious and you're able to eat as much as you'd like, you learned a bit about raising cattle in Hawaii, and you get to watch the awe-inspiring sun set behind the beautiful Hawaiian coast. Otherwise, much of everything else is the same though--You don't know anybody so you get to make small talk with strangers, there's a band playing country music, and there's a dance floor for you and others to dance on. My favorite part of the experience was the food, specifically I enjoyed the BBQ chicken, the Taro sweet rolls. But my favorite food of all was their Mac nut pie which reminded me of pecan pie but significantly better. read more

Paniolo BBQ Dinner - Barbeque Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

My family of 16 attended the BBQ last night. This was our 3rd time at this event, We always take friends or family, but this was our largest group. Paniolo BBQ did not disapoint. With all the activities ( roping instructions, corn hole, wood plaque branding, etc, our grandkids had a great and memorable experience, As always, the food, venue, and entertainment was superb. I highly recommend this to anyone wanting a great experience on the big island, read more

Everything about this event was great! From the time we arrived to a friendly greeting to the s'mores at the end of the evening, we had a wonderful experience. The property is beautiful, the food was very good, and plentiful, and everyone helping at the event was friendly. Our host, "Cowboy Dave", was genuine, informative and entertaining... we plan to attend this BBQ during future visits to the Big Island. read more

Paniolo BBQ Dinner - View from the dining area. - Barbeque Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

Beautiful location, outstanding food & service with fun activities for the kids. As residents of Honokaa, the kamaʻaina discount was an added bonus. Will definitely come back, & recommend to friends read more

This was a terrific experience for several reasons - location, scenery, staff, music, the drive, history, activities, and food. Made reservations online - simple. Ample driving directions - less than 45 minutes from Waikoloa. It was rainy and windy on our visit but that didn't matter one bit - the dining and entertainment area is covered and sheltered. Parking in a corral nearby. Beautiful sunset through a few clouds. Awesome friendly staff. Extraordinary food. Learned so much about the history of cattle ranching in Hawaii. Live country music. I can't say enough good things about every aspect of the experience. Highly recommended - and we have visited the Big Island over 10 times and this was a really a unique, memorable treat. read more

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Met with Coot, she and her brother are the owners of the Ranch. 3rd generation and you can see that they take pride in what they do and their team. It is not just a BBQ dinner, walk around the ranch and experience the beauty of the place and the people. Took a picture with Dave (cowboy/amazing host/ storyteller/ singer) and Scott, astronomer with fantastic insight and stories. Rope a metal doggie, play games, walk the grounds, listen to stories, meet great people!!! read more

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