Hilo, HI

As one of the best historically preserved cities in Hawaii, Hilo is home to more than 40,000 residents on the big island of Hawaii. It overlooks Hilo Bay and offers breathtaking views thanks to the coastline and its numerous ocean-powered rivers and streams. With an average of more than 120 inches of rain annually, Hilo is one of the wettest towns in the United States. The local term "mixed plate" describes the residents of Hilo well, as a mix of cultures including Polynesian, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Korean, and other Pacific-Islanders and Europeans have had a great deal of influence on its culture and community.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Town Center: This urban, coastal community consists of mostly apartment high rises and complexes. The homes in this quiet part of town are small (one to two bedrooms) and are inhabited by renters of many different age groups.

Kaumana: This area of single-family houses is home to many government employees and their families. The houses are midsize (three to four bedrooms), and most were built between 1970 and 1994.

Keaukaha/Mokaoko: This nautical community appeals to the middle-income resident and is home to many manufacturing and labor employees. The houses are predominantly smaller single-family homes and are home to people of different age groups.

Kamehameha Avenue/Ponahawai Street: This walkable neighborhood attracts mostly college students. Smaller single-family homes are both owned and rented in the artsy, coastal area.

Route 11/Kawailani Street: This quiet, urban community is made up primarily of seniors (ages 65+) who reside in midsize, single-family homes that were built between 1940 and 1969.

Haihai Street/Ainaola Drive: This neighborhood is occupied mostly by families with children. The midsize homes are located in a walkable area of Hilo. Many government employees own homes in this area.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Hilo is the second-largest city in Hawaii, making it a popular destination for tourists. The city appeals to tourists by offering an array of shopping, movie theaters, hotels, restaurants, and a developed downtown district. Because Hilo can be easily navigated on foot, visitors and residents find it welcoming and accessible.

Hilo is home to one of the world's leaders in macadamia nut production, Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. Acquired by Hershey Foods in 2004, Mauna Loa processes nuts purchased from Hawaiian acreage on the island of Maui.

BEST BETS

Hilo Farmers Market: The market began with four lonely vendors in 1988 and has since grown into a showplace for about 200 local farmers and artists to display their goods. The market is open year-round.

Pacific Tsunami Museum: Located in the heart of downtown Hilo, this museum provides information on the great force and devastation of tsunamis, and specifically those that have directly hit Hilo and surrounding communities. The museum now has a webcam that monitors the bay for the first sign of a tsunami.

Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens: Some claim that this is one of the most beautiful areas on the big island of Hawaii. The Gardens offer walking trails and access to some of nature's finest species, including more than 2,000 varieties of plants. The boardwalk that extends from the garden to the ocean is another breathtaking feature.

The Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo: This is truly a one-of-a-kind zoo. The sole natural tropical rainforest zoo in the United States, it is set on 12 acres of land that are considered a botanical garden due to the numerous varieties of plant life. Two endangered species, the Bengal tiger and the nene (Hawaii's state bird), reside at this zoo.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: This national park features two volcanoes, both of which are among the world's most active. The park also provides insight into the creation of the islands of Hawaii and other volcanoes in the area. Due to the volatile nature of volcanoes, visitors are asked to call ahead to check with the park for any advisories or warnings.

Banyan Drive: This drive is a historical tour through more than 50 banyan trees that have been planted along this road. Notables such as Amelia Earhart, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Babe Ruth are among the celebrities who were asked to plant saplings as long ago as 60 and 70 years. The trees have survived natural disasters over the years and today serve as massive memorials. Most of the banyans are still strong and healthy to this day. The draping roots and flowers from the trees provide shade and a sense of history on this Hilo street.

EVENTS

The Merrie Monarch Festival is a tradition of more than 40 years. This festival is primarily held to teach people about the ancient art of hula. People of all skills and age groups participate in the world's premier forum for hula. The weeklong event is typically held after Easter and is full of demonstrations, performances, exhibitors, and a three-day hula competition. Preparation runs year-round for festival participants.

EDUCATION

Hilo has two institutions of higher education:

• University of Hawaii at Hilo
• Hawaii Community College

The percent of adults with college degrees in Hilo is more the double the national average in U.S. cities.