Hilo, Hawaii. City and Business guide.

Welcome to Hilo, Hawaii.

Hilo is a coastal city in the State of Hawaii. The population was 40,759 at the 2000 census.

Although Hilo is Hawaii's second largest city (ranked second in size and population to Honolulu), it is a community. It has an old-fashioned comfortable feel. Hilo has been described by some as, 'Honolulu before the jets came in.' It is a great place to learn about old Hawaii and the environmental and cultural forces that shaped it. The city overlooks Hilo Bay, and is near two mountains, Mauna Loa, an active volcano, and Mauna Kea, upon which several astronomical observatories are placed.

The city is home to the University of Hawaii at Hilo, as well as the Merrie Monarch Festival, a week-long celebration of ancient and modern hula, which takes place each year in the week following Easter.

Aerial photo of Hilo Bay, Hawaii. Photo by Kanoa Withington - Feb 16, 2006
Hilo's location on the eastern side of the island of Hawaii (windward relative to the trade winds) makes it the wettest city in the United States and one of the wettest cities in the world. An average of 129.19 inches (3281 mm) of rain falls on Hilo annually.

Its location on the shore of the funnel-shaped Hilo Bay also makes it vulnerable to tsunamis.

Although archaeological evidence is scant, people certainly inhabited the areas along Hilo Bay, Wailuku and Wailoa Rivers before the Western world made contact. Missionaries came to Hilo in the early to middle 1800s, founding several churches, notably Haili Church.

Hilo has a large tourism sector, as is prevalant across the whole island. Hilo, as the second largest city in the state of Hawaii, is home to shopping centers, movie theaters, hotels, restaurants, and downtown area full of various shops.

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