Hilo Town, the Seat of Government for Hawaii County, faces the windward trades, which creates a climate that is tropical, vegetation that is green and lush, with an abundance of flowers, waterfalls and of course, rain.

Nestled on a natural bay, the town of Hilo is noted for it's quaint architecture and the charm of it's people. You will often see them gathered at the edge of Hilo Bay on a Saturday, cheering on their favorite canoe club's team in the canoe races, and celebrating victory, or defeat, with equal enthusiasm.

In 1964, Hilo was struck by a devastating tidal wave that wiped out a large section of the old town. The area, now designated as a tidal wave buffer zone, is called Waiakea Park and is used only for athletic and family activities.

Resting at the base of both Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, and with the best deep draft harbor on the Big Island of Hawaii, Hilo is also a center for commerce and shipping, as well as a weekly stop for several cruise ship lines.

North of Hilo is the Hamakua Coast, a splendor of scenic beauty all the way to Waimea. Some of the sights to see there are breathtaking Akaka Falls, Kole Kole State Park (a great place to picnic!) and the scenic drive north to the sleepy plantation town of Honokaa, bordering on Waimea, and the beginning of the Parker Ranch lands.

Thank you for taking our Hilo tour and be sure to visit the other areas of the Big Island of Hawaii - click on the link below to return to the Big Island Image map. Aloha! and Mahalo!!

Waimea | Hilo | Kilauea Volcano | South Point | Kona - Keauhou | Kohala Coast
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