Personal blog about states
Activities and Attractions in Hilo ‘Akaka Falls. Rainbow Falls. Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo. Mehana brewing company. Farmers markets (6!) Lyman museum and mission house. Beaches. Biking.
Located on the northeastern side of the island of Hawaii , Hilo offers breathtaking natural beauty plus all the amenities of a vibrant town. On the geographic flipside of the volcanic Kohala Coast, the region is blessed with dramatic waterfalls, fertile rainforests and blooming gardens.
The volcano and the rainforest are definitely the best reasons for visiting Hilo . You should consider spending a night or two in the area so that you can go up to the volcano at night. The tsunami museum in Hilo is also worth a visit if you have the time.
Akaka Falls State Park: Tickets & Tours Rainbow Falls : Tickets & Tours Kaumana Caves Park: Tickets & Tours Carlsmith Beach Park: Tickets & Tours Liliuokalani Gardens: Tickets & Tours Maunakea Visitor Information Station: Tickets & Tours Hilo Farmers Market: Tickets & Tours Richardson Beach Park: Tickets & Tours
Hilo is more affordable and has more local character. Hilo definitely feels less touristy than Kona , which is a good thing. Hilo has some great rainforests and waterfalls in the area, so it’s a good place for hiking and other outdoor activities. The Hilo side gets a lot more rain than Kona , so consider that as well.
Hilo is generally quite safe . There are usually homeless people loitering around public parks and sometimes they can be a little eccentric, so keep your distance.
Hilo cost of living is 130.3
COST OF LIVING | Hilo | Hawaii |
---|---|---|
Health | 92.8 | 94.3 |
Housing | 149.8 | 268.9 |
Median Home Cost | $346,400 | $621,700 |
Utilities | 193.9 | 185.8 |
When you take a look at the annual rainfall in Hilo , you’ll see it averages out to one-third of an inch every day. That’s what sets Hilo apart from all other rainy cities: it gets rain nearly every day, not just in certain seasons. Only 100 days in Hilo per year don’t see rain .
The closest area affected by the eruption is 20 miles from Hilo , and the volcanic activity has had no direct impact on the town of Hilo and most of Hawaiʻi Island. That includes our airports, harbors and the majority of roads. It is absolutely safe to travel to and around Hawai’i Island (PDF) .
So, Does it Always Rain in Hilo ? The answer is both yes and no. We show a high chance of rain every day on the weather report, and they are almost always correct. If we don’t get our early morning rain , that is unusual.
2 days
60 miles
The climate in Hilo is warm, muggy, windy, and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 64°F to 83°F and is rarely below 60°F or above 86°F.
The following are some things that you can enjoy at night while in Hilo . Camping. Stargazing at Imiloa Astronomy Center and Mauna Kea. Night Stroll along Banyan Drive. Shopping. Night Lava Tour. Party at Waioli Lounge. Dine at the Restaurants in BayFront, Hilo . Catch an event at the Palace Theater.
No, not legally. The current is usually very strong during and after rain, which is the norm in Hilo . There are also rapids downstream called the “boiling pots.” If you drive about 10 miles north of Hilo along the Hamakua coast, there is the Kolekole waterfall and beach that is usually a safe swimming hole.