News Releases

Thursday, May 30, 2002

PARKER RANCH CENTER LIGHTING HONORED BY KECK

WAIMEA, BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII - Lighting at the newly renovated Parker Ranch Center in Waimea recently was honored by W.M. Keck Observatory. A recent Keck Astronomy Lecture Series featured Dr. David Crawford, executive director of the International Dark Skies Association, reporting on the battle against Big Island light pollution and sharing practical ideas for what can be done to preserve nighttime skies. Light pollution is the glare and sky glow that comes from wasteful lighting fixtures and costs U.S. residents more than $1 billion each year. Following the lecture Crawford recognized local businesses - including Parker Ranch Center - that use safe and responsible outdoor lighting.

The renovated Parker Ranch Center is now open for business, with anchor tenant Foodland Super Market leading the charge. The 121,000-square-foot center will provide the Waimea community with much-needed shopping and dining options. The parking area features approximately 660 full-size parking spaces. The new center’s appearance has been dramatically improved, sporting Western-motif architecture that expresses Waimea’s paniolo heritage, and enhanced lighting and landscaping. In addition to Foodland Super Market’s 35,000-square-foot store, leases have been signed with Kentucky Fried Chicken, Starbucks Coffee, Healthways II and Blockbuster.

Parker Ranch is one of the largest and most historic cattle ranches in the United States , spanning 225,000 acres across the Big Island of Hawaii. It surrounds the town of Waimea and spreads between the Kohala and Mauna Kea mountains.