Hilo's activities & attractions

How Do I Find Lava! (updated July, 2022) Go to Hawaii Volcano National Park (HVNP). In short, lava is slowly filling up the Halema’uma’u crater in HVNP.  This is the Kilauea’s crater that you overlook when you are at the park.  After the 2018 lava flow near the coast the crater collapsed and grew in […]

  MAP OF DOWNTOWN HILO HISTORIC SECTION Start Downtown Hilo  Walking Tour:  Park your car anywhere you can find parking.  Since this is a loop it doesn’t matter where you start.  If you want to start at the statue of Kamehameha, turn on Pauahi Steet, toward statue, at the Chevron station.  Parking is down the […]

Where to Stay in East Hawaii (Big Island)   Introduction: The only “large” town on the East side of Hawaii (Big Island) is the town of Hilo.  Hilo is on the coast and in the middle of the coast (the coast running South/North).  Hilo is surprisingly large, with major hospitals and stores such as Walmart, […]

Hilo, Hawaii and East Big Island   Hawaiian Islands: East vs. West side.  All the Hawaiian islands are “volcano” islands.  This means they have large mountains (old volcanoes) in the center with an East side and a West side.  The winds come from East to West.  On the East, the rains are frequent and the […]

An overview One has three alternatives.  The most obvious choice is a hotel.  A very popular choice is renting a vacation home.  Lastly, a much less popular choice is a bed and breakfast.  The reasons for choosing each will be detailed below. Hilo is small.  I only takes 10 minutes to drive from one side […]

Hilo and East Big Island Hawaiian Islands: East vs. West side.  All the Hawaiian islands are “volcano” islands.  This means they have large mountains (old volcanoes) in the center with an East side and a West side.  The winds come from East to West.  On the East, the rains are frequent and the lands are […]

Hilo Farmer’s market is made up of the sale of fruits and vegetables every day except Sunday.  The sale of arts and crafts is on Wednesday’s and Saturday’s. Why is the Hilo Farmers Market a “must go to” if your stay is on Wednesday or Saturday?  For the same reason you decided to visit Hilo […]

Note:  As of September, 2020 the public has been notified that this area is only open to those with permits (which are given out).  You could be sited if you head to this area. This will likely be the highlight of your trip.  The total distance from where you park to where you swim is […]

Location: Hilo Brewing Company, 275 East Kawili Street Hilo 96720 Website: www.hilobrewingco.com A great little secret right in downtown Hilo.  Kawilli Street is easy to find but the brewery is easy to miss.  Kawilli Street is just a couple blocks up from the airport.  Look for the Toyota dealer on the left.  You turn right […]

  Address: 2279 Kalanianaole St., Hilo, Island of Hawaii, HI Richardson Beach Park is a must-visit location. It is located just 8 minutes away from the heart of Hilo, across the street from my Hibiscus, Lilikoi, Beaches, and Surfrider homes.  It is one of the 7 stops of the Hop-on Hop-off bus tour. See our […]

Address: Kaumana Drive, Mile Marker 4, Hilo, Island of Hawaii, HI Kaumana Caves State Park is home to what is widely viewed as one of the best lava tubes in Hawaii. This park features a 25-mile long lava tube that was famously created by the 1881 flow from Mauna Loa. From Hilo, follow Highway. 200, […]

  Address: Banyan Drive, Hilo, Island of Hawaii, HI Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens is a beautiful 30-acre park with Japanese gardens, located on Banyan Drive in Hilo on the island of Hawaiʻi. Located in downtown Hilo, nearby many motels, and local restaurants such as the Hilo Bay Cafe and the Suison Fish Market. This garden […]