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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

  • CHISTESACTUALES

    Hay que lamerlo para mojarlo! Hay que chuparlo para pararlo! Hay que empujarlo para meterlo No joda que dificil es meter el hilo en la aguja

    Yesterday, 03:15

  • DoctorNBA

    SAS 120 vs OKC 111 (2-0) > 20 triunfos al hilo. 48 dias sin perder. 10-0 en los Playoffs. Algo mas?

    Today, 05:48

  • TWICHISTE

    Hay que lamerlo para mojarlo! Hay que chuparlo para pararlo! Hay que empujarlo para meterlo No joda que dificil es meter el hilo en la aguja

    May 25th, 00:00

  • SpliffClothing

    JUNE 9TH KBXTREME!! Tickets available @ CD Wizard Hilo & KBXtreme Kona! #cdwizardhilo #KBXtreme #ohanabanana http://t.co/8Djeikan

    Today, 21:45

  • DaniMateoAgain

    @El_Intermedio Lógico. Ellos también están pendiendo de un hilo... #YMeCalloQueEstamosEnDirecto x)

    Today, 21:44

  • jjoooaannee

    eyebugs. Puyat. Bangag. Hilo.

    Today, 21:44

  • andycamachop

    @wendyyramos Hay q lamerlo para mojarlo! Hay q chuparlo para pararlo! Hay q empujarlo para mterlo No joda q dificil s metr l hilo n la aguja

    Today, 21:44

  • juanpablo199077

    ya tengo mi hilo puesto quien quiere verlo?solo trannys,shemales,transex,cd y l@s que quieran tambien seran bienvenidos.

    Today, 21:44

  • marianprr_

    todo está como dice mi mama: "colgando de un hilo".

    Today, 21:43

  • chochaconPyP

    @GusConti ahhh dolooorrr, los de hilo no duelen pero es horrible sentir el hilo pasarrr, respiraaa hondo

    Today, 21:43

  • edothefear

    Si llego a los 100 followers para el finde subo foto en hilo hahahaha #OkNo

    Today, 21:43

  • RyanShifty

    Good night! Hilo na daw siya. HAHA.

    Today, 21:43

  • Clau_C_A

    @AliceJedwaard1D dudo que la continúe... Ya he perdido el hilo, hace tanto que no la sigo :( Aw qué maja, me alegro de haberte encontrado ;)

    Today, 21:42

  • brennan_18

    RT @CHISTESACTUALES: Hay que lamerlo para mojarlo! Hay que chuparlo para pararlo! Hay que empujarlo para meterlo No joda que dificil es meter el hilo en la aguja

    Today, 21:42

  • luis_lopez1969

    @md_aleman A veces pasa que entro y salgo tan seguido que cuesta seguir el hilo :-)

    Today, 21:41

  • Sentidolentoo_

    #Lomalodetenerelcorazonroto es que no tengo un pedazo de hilo para coserlo.

    Today, 21:41

  • Vicky_Bendito

    Al hilo del tuit anterior. Ahí va: "El tornillo que me faltaba" http://t.co/loyU5jlx

    Today, 21:41

  • egarrip

    @Capy87 Me encanta cotillear en esa sección y ver qué sistema operativo y navegador usa cada usuario, a parte del hilo que visita.xDDDD

    Today, 21:41

Featured Businesses and Services in Hilo

  • Palace Theatre

    Located in Hilo, Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States

    Palace Theatre

    This grand old theatre lives on because of your continued loyalty and friendship. In appreciation of your care and support, a new and better Palace membership program has been phased in, and with it there are many more benefits to being a Friend of the P...

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  • Naniloa Volcanoes Resort (2008-10-07)

    Located in Hilo, Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States

    Naniloa Volcanoes Resort

    The Naniloa Volcanoes Resort in Hawaii, United States enjoys breathtaking views of the Mauna Kea, the lush Hamakua coastline and tranquil Hilo Bay. This Resort is the only full service Resort offering golf and spa facilities, dining and entertainment, and banquet and conference facilities in East Hawaii.

    read more »

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