Hilo

Hilo was a port day on our repositioning cruise to Hawaii aboard the Celebrity Solstice (Episode 2). Here is what to know about it.

The short version

Hilo sits on a crescent-shaped bay on the northeastern side of the island of Hawaiʻi. It is the seat of county government, home to Hilo International Airport, and about 45 minutes from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

A little history

• Hilo was a busy farming and fishing area in early times and grew into a commercial center for the sugar industry in the 1800s.
• Tsunamis have shaped the town. The US Geological Survey notes that the 1946 tsunami was even larger than the one in 1960.
• In May 1960, waves reached 35 feet in Hilo Bay. Sixty-one people died, and about 540 homes and businesses were destroyed or severely damaged. The Pacific Tsunami Museum downtown tells the story.

What it is known for

• Waiānuenue, or Rainbow Falls, an 80-foot waterfall in Wailuku River State Park.
• Liliʻuokalani Gardens, a 30-acre Japanese garden with fishponds, pagodas and rock gardens.
• The Hilo Farmers Market.
• ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, housed in three titanium cones, and the Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo.
• The Merrie Monarch Festival, a week of hula competition, a Hawaiian arts fair and a parade through town that honors King David Kalākaua. It is held each spring.

Good to know

• Hilo is surrounded by rainforest and waterfalls, so pack a rain layer.
• From Hilo, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is an easy day trip.
• Check the Merrie Monarch dates before you plan a spring visit.