ABOUT HILO

Hilo is the Big Island’s county seat and largest city—population 40,759—yet it has maintained all the ambience of an old-fashioned small town. As one resident put it, "Hilo has more of an ‘old Hawaii’ feel than anywhere else in the state."

Today, downtown Hilo includes a popular farmer’s market as well as the Lyman Mission House Museum and Pacific Tsunami Museum. Other Hilo attractions include Big Island Candies, Panaewa Rain Forest Zoo, the Suisan Fish Market & Auction and Nani Mau Gardens.

Each spring, Hilo is also the setting for the Merrie Monarch Festival, the most prestigious and highly anticipated hula competition in the world.

Hilo might be Hawaii’s "small town" city, and that suits its residents just fine. "The natural surroundings here, of course, are beautiful," said one longtime resident. "But the strongest attraction I have for Hilo is its people. This is a very friendly community with a wonderful small town atmosphere."