Hilo Vacations, Hilo Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide

Hilo Vacation Guide

Hilo, Hawaii, is the county seat and largest city (pop. ~50,000) on the Big Island of Hawaii. Hilo is home to the University of Hawaii at Hilo, the headquarters of Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation, and the annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, which is considered the most prestigious hula competition in the world.

Hilo is rainy, with a tropical rainforest climate and lava-rock beaches. This, combined with the lack of direct flights from the US mainland, make Hilo a less popular destination than Kona on the west side of the island. But a trip to the Big Island is not complete without a visit to Hilo. In Hilo, you will find a slower pace and experience life like the locals live it. You will learn the town's history, from its native Hawaiian culture, immigrant influx, sugar plantation boom era, and devastating tsunamis (find the memorial clock, frozen at 1:04 a.m. April 1, 1946, when the infamous "April Fools Tsunami" destroyed the town).

Historic Downtown Hilo on Hilo Bay is home to many boutiques and restaurants, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, and the restored Palace Theatre. Other popular attractions in Hilo include Liliuokalani Park and Gardens, Banyan Drive, Nani Mau Gardens, Onekahakaha Beach Park, and Lyman House Museum. Hilo is also the perfect gateway to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Hilo is served by Hilo International Airport (IATA code: ITO). Most flights into Hilo are from Honolulu. Several local carriers operate several flights per day.