Hilo, Hawaii – a jewel of a city in the Big Island

By: Roy Dollwet, RA

Hawaiian Island Homes, Pahoa

(808) 430-3223. (808) 965-9500

Hilo, a jewel of a city, owns the honor as the epicenter of just about everything you wanted of a good life in the Big Island. Which holds everybody spellbound! That’s not an overstatement!

Hilo has the ambiance of a city in transition. It hums with a local vibe and bustles with a tourist tribe;  its central location makes it a crossroad ideal for a  transport hub with Hilo International Airport conveniently in its midst;  offers great center of learning – prominently the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Hilo is the tourism hot spot of Hawaii Island. Sprawled in a garden setting, verdant forests, spectacular waterfalls as backdrops, and its coastlines perfect for tours and water sports – Hilo never fails to draw in hordes of tourists looking for the vacation experience of their lives!

Want interesting museums? The Imiloa Astronomy Center or Pacific Tsunami Museum won’t disappoint you. Hilo features unique shops particularly Sig Zane Designs, Hilo Hattie, Macadamia Nut Factory (if you haven’t tried macadamia nuts, you’re missing a lot). Who wouldn't want to visit Hilo’s favorite market:  the Hilo Farmers Market. Nothing beats it when it comes to fresh fruits, plants and local crafts.

Imiloa Astronomy Center

Pacific Tsunami Museum

Sig Zane Designs

Macadamia Nut Factory

Hilo Farmers Market

More come-ons? What is downtown Hilo without its coterie of cafes, bars and restaurants - suggestive of a fun nightlife replete with unique entertainment?

Hilo has it all! The flip side of which translates into the dominant factor leading to it’s robust economy and Hawaii’s enviable prominence as a whole. Not that I’m complaining!

I’ll take Hilo anytime! What other choice is there? Fact is I myself live in Hilo. It’s my kind of Town! Period.

Hilo anyone???

~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~

Photo References:

~Imiloa Astronomy Center

http://www.gemini.edu/node/176

~Pacific Tsunami Museum

http://gohawaii.about.com/od/bigisland/ss/hilo_attraction_8.htm

~Sig Zane Designs

http://www.hilokonabeachrentals.com/links/sigzane.html

~Hilo Hattie

http://hotspots.honoluluadvertiser.com/spot/2005/gift

~Macadamia Nut Factory

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26654815@N08/6211860031/

~Hilo Farmers Market

http://www.fodors.com/travel-photography/15-things-to-do-under-15-on-hawaiis-big-island-272.html