Kona123.com
The 123 list for a Big Island visit
Your Visitor Friendly People & Places
You are now on kona123.com ............ Click "map" for all about the Big Island. Things to do & ...................................................................see...places to sleep, eat and shop.
Hilo Town
Hawaii's second largest city
click here for more pictures of Hilo
Hilo (pronounced /hee-lo) is a coastal town in the State of Hawaiʻi. It is the largest settlement on the island of Hawaiʻi, and the second largest settlement in the state. The population was 40,759 at the 2000 census.
Hilo is the county seat of Hawaii County, Hawaii, and is situated in the South Hilo District. The town overlooks Hilo Bay, and is near two shield volcanoes, Mauna Loa, considered active, and Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano upon which some of the best ground-based astronomical observatories are placed. Other attractions include the Farmer's Market, Rainbow Falls, Akaka Falls Park and the nearby Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens, just north of town. The island's only zoo, Pana`ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens are also just a few miles north of Hilo.
Hilo 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 annually after Easter. It is also home to the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation, one of the world's leading producers of macadamia nuts. It is served by Hilo International Airport.
Hilo has many interesting cultural and ethnic restaurants to explore and experience. In addition, Hilo has many diverse shopping opportunities with shops and stores of all types.
Hilo Farmer's Market
Located at the corner of Mamo Street and Kamehameha Avenue in historic downtown Hilo,the market is open all year round, every Wednesday and Saturday, from dawn til' it's gone!
(808) 969-9700
`Imiloa
Our mission is to to celebrate Hawaiian culture and Maunakea astronomy, sharing with the world an inspiring example of science and culture united to advance knowledge, understanding and opportunity.
Visitors and residents- Help us edit this Hili Town page. You can be the travel writer and photographer. Submit your comments and pictures to help keep this site updated and current. See Home page for details.
Pana`ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens
Pana`ewa is the only natural tropical rain forest zoo in the US. Come see many monkey and bird exhibits along with Namaste- our own white Bengal Tiger. Admission is free and the zoo is open 9-4 everyday except Christmas and New Year's. Petting Zoo on Saturdays 1:30-2:30 and tiger feeding at 3:30 daily. Located just 3 miles south of Hilo.
Click here for directions, more info and pictures.
(808) 959-9233
Hilo Tropical Botanical Gardens
OPEN from 9am to 5pm everyday , except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day . Garden admissions end at 4pm. This self-guided tour takes an average of about an hour and a half. The walking distance is just over a mile, round trip.
ADMISSION : $15 for adults, children 6 - 16 $5- under 6 free.
Visitors walk the 500 foot dramatic, beautifully landscaped boardwalk down into the Garden on the ocean. This boardwalk alone is a photographer's paradise that should not be missed.
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is a spectacular Garden in a Valley on the Ocean - acclaimed as one of the most beautiful areas in all Hawaii. The Garden is located on the Big Island of Hawaii, 8 1/2 miles north of Hilo on the four-mile Scenic Route at Onomea Bay.
In this garden valley, nature trails meander through a true tropical rainforest, crossing bubbling streams, passing several beautiful waterfalls and the exciting ocean vistas along the rugged Pacific coast. The Garden displays a vast variety of palms, heliconias, gingers, bromeliads, and hundreds of other rare and exotic plants from all parts of the tropical world - presently more than 2,000 species, and the collection is always growing! This free ad is a public service.
( 808) 964-5233 htbg@ilhawaii.net
Lava Ocean Adventures
Boat Tours to Where the Lava Enters the Ocean
Lava tours to the Kilauea Volcacno. We take you to see, hear and feel the heat. Your front row seat to view red-hot lava flow into the Pacific Ocean. Experience lava heated steam and rivers of lava. Also available - Hilo side fishing and whale charters.
Click here for more pictures, rates and contact information.
Lyman Museum & Mission House
276 Haili Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone 808.935.5021
Fax 808.969.7685
Hours: Monday - Saturday
10:00 am - 4:30 pm
Mission House Tours
11:00 am and 2:00 pm
Admission
Kama`aina: $8 adults, $6 seniors, $3 children (ages 6-17), $17 family
Out-of-State: $10 adults, $8 seniors, $3 children, $21 family
University Students: $5
Banyan Drive, Lili`uokalani Gardens and Japanese Gardens
Bring your picnic to this beautiful, free public park.
Queen Liliuokalani Gardens is located next to Coconut Island off of Banyan Drive in the town of Hilo. This authentic Japanese garden was built in the early 1900's as a memorial to the immigrant Japanese workers who developed and worked on local sugar plantations.
Nani Mau Gardens
Located 3 miles from Hilo on the magnificent Big Island of Hawaii, Nani Mau Gardens showcases 53 acres of gorgeous tropical flowers and plants. "Nani Mau" which translates as "forever beautiful" in Hawaiian is a perfect name for this beautiful garden that first opened to the public in 1972.
Akaka Falls State Park
Beautiful Akaka Falls is perhaps the Big Island's most famous waterfall. Easily accessible.
Just north of Hilo on Hwy. 19, turn between the 13 & 14 mile markers. Enjoy the 4 mile ride through the quaint town of Honomu to see this spectacular 422-foot high waterfall.