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A trip to Hilo is a trip to the lush, green, breathtakingly photographic side of Hawai`i Island. Here one finds the anticipated Hawai`i -- wild ginger blooming along the roadsides, waterfalls plunging through hillside jungles ...and rainbows. Hilo is blessed with more rain than any other city in the U.S. (averaging about 120" annually), and the gulches and hillsides around the Hilo area have more shades of green than there are names for. The rain-washed air is sweetened by flowers, and wonderful to breathe. Deep blue waves shatter into white spray against and over the jagged jet-black shoreline edged in vibrant greens. Colorfully dressed and undressed children splash in the calmer pools and sheltered beach areas edging Hilo Bay. Hilo (pronounced hee-low) is the town time forgot, with its false-front stores, covered sidewalks, and small town charm. Life moves at a slow, friendly pace. Shopping in downtown Hilo is an international adventure, free of "tourist traps". Pick up a walking tour map and just stroll around Old Hilo Town. Refresh yourself with a paper cone of shaved ice in some exotic flavor (be real "local", order the li hing mui shaved ice), or sample the preserved seed so loved by locals. See how many old hitching rings you can spot, and figure out why Hilo's sidewalks are black instead of gray. Be sure to visit the farmers' market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings for locally-grown fruits and vegetables. Vendors offer taste samples of the more unusual produce, and sprays of orchids or bouquets of exotic flowers can be bought for just a few dollars. This county seat wears a wide greenbelt of parks and soccer fields along its half-mile-long black sand beach. Several local canoe clubs house their outrigger canoes along the water's edge, hold practices after work, and, during the summer, compete in day-long regattas with other canoe clubs from around the island and the state. Each paddling club sets up a food booth to help pay expenses, and this is real local food. A canoe meet is a "must" experience for visitors. If you are lucky enough to be in Hilo when it rains, grab an umbrella and go for a walk.

The rain is blissfully warm, and brightly-colored umbrellas pop up everywhere. These are not your ordinary umbrellas, as Hilo people favor the large size usually found in golf bags. Few sports events are cancelled by rain, and the sidelines may be a cheery line-up of umbrellas topping shorts, bare legs, and rubber slippers. Local folks love to be outdoors. Walkers and runners favor the beautiful oceanfront. Others fish along the waterfront and at Wailoa State Park. Golfers abound, and surfers dot the ocean just off downtown, and 2 miles up the coast at Honoli`i. There are public tennis courts and an Olympic-size pool. A favorite picnic spot is the beautiful Lili`uokalani Park, 30 acres of Japanese gardens with fishponds, gazebos, bridges, and a spectacular view across Hilo Bay of the town as it hugs the crescent ("hilo") beach and edges up Mauna Kea's gentle slopes. Nearby, and across a footbridge, is Coconut Island, just big enough for picnics and open-air concerts. It is from here the fireworks are launched to delight Hiloans on the Fourth of July, as they gather, Norman Rockwell-like, in the park surrounding Mo`oheau Bandstand, across from the farmer's market. In the last few years Hilo has attracted a number of restaurateurs serving delicious and varied fare, and the appropriate dress ranges from quite casual to more dressy, yet none requires a coat and tie.


Latest Tweets featuring Hilo

  • HiLo

    bawalah reusable bag saat berbelanja guna mengurangi penggunaan tas plastik. #GoGreen

    Today, 04:45

  • EugenialemosOK

    Vieron en #LaChicaDelVerano quedo demostrado q la gente elige chicas naturales antes q un hilo dental!

    Feb 8th, 08:39

  • PoesiasDeOro

    Que una sonrisa pueda añadir un hilo a la trama sutil de la vida

    Today, 17:07

  • Matii_Ezequiiel

    @EugenialemosOK Tee Re Bancoo..Pabree Es TAN Ordinaria Para Hablar,El Hilo Dental Le Llego a La Cabeza Y Le Saco El Sentido de La Verguenza

    Today, 21:53

  • Vero_TV

    La cinta deprimida q tiene cintanga en la cabeza no sera la misma q usa como hilo dental no??? Todo se recicla

    Today, 21:52

  • marcelamarcya

    Nada q ver la chica del hilo del dental se mata insultando a todo el mundo falta d Educación @connieansaldi

    Today, 21:52

  • LoveLorenaWells

    CINTHIA ME HARTASTE sobala pendeja e hilo dental te entro por el culo y te subio al cerebro PELOTUDA

    Today, 21:52

  • Alejotapiasg

    @connieansaldi @lizardoponce que poco creíble esas lagrimas!!!... que se seque las lagrimas con el hilo dental!!!

    Today, 21:52

  • FaniSabado

    RT @MartuSabado: @FaniSabado yo e pelea con cocodrilos me e balanceado sobre un hilo cargando mas de 500 kl e dao la buelta a mundo en menos de un segundo

    Today, 21:51

  • RosiMouse

    @ShSaharaL93 HAHAH loca en el colegio ella no tiene na de cuerpo, UN HILO, y en fotos DOS GRANDES COCOS y UNO MULAZO. o:

    Today, 21:51

  • Bob_Marx

    Excited about Hilo's Chinese NYear Tomorrow. Join Us and take home a Bob Marx for Congress Sign. http://t.co/9eaa4ohw

    Today, 21:51

  • amoorxpyp

    el hilo dental el hilo dental si yo me lo pongo se qieren matar... OK NO Nii ahii te ayudo nii esa cancion pedorra

    Today, 21:50

  • Nathy_villalba

    @marybensuley @Lore_PerezA jajaja ganas de colgarle con el hilo dental tengo!

    Today, 21:50

  • FlorFili

    @EugenialemosOK Te compadezco tenerla ahi al ladooo!! es insoportable el hilo dental!!

    Today, 21:49

  • Poligard

    Tengo HD... (Hilo Dental)

    Today, 21:49

  • CiinWerner

    #julianserrano te entro como auja al hilo :)

    Today, 21:48

  • PauPeter_inlove

    @marmolerapp jajajajajaajajaja me da tanta lastima Cinthia :_ ella y su hilo dental :B

    Today, 21:47

  • MartuSabado

    @FaniSabado yo e pelea con cocodrilos me e balanceado sobre un hilo cargando mas de 500 kl e dao la buelta a mundo en menos de un segundo

    Today, 21:47

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