Print the full size map. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. “ Perfect location in Hilo downtown, close to the farmers market, all restaurants and gift shops in downtown, has a Japanese garden right next to it, and the Banyan drive it’s on is beautiful. Many of the buildings here are of the original constructions, with the downtown corridor made up of historic storefronts, theaters, and office buildings. Legends note that the site served as a campground and favorite surfing spot for King Kamehameha I, and is where Hilo town earned its name. Front sign of Hilo … At first angered that his men did not watch the canoe, Kamehameha was surprised that they knew how to make such a rope and declared that this place be called Hilo. Be sure to join us as a subscriber and our posts will be delivered to your inbox. Close by they founded a boarding school. The building was constructed in 1925 in the renaissance revival style with arched entryways, balconies and col-umns used for decorative purposes. More than a third of the city is of Asian descent and 15% identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. The Pacific Tsunami Museum embarked on a project with the County of Hawai’i Planning Department to assess and assist businesses with their tsunami preparation and planning. Rainbow Falls. In 2015, only 46,000 tourists arrived to Hilo by air compared to nearly 700,000 to Kona. An environmentally-focused tour company on Hawaii’s Big Island, Nui Pohaku Adventure Tours offers a locally-owned, community-focused tour experience you’ll never forget. It gives one an appreciation for the huge marine diversity that exists and how little we know about many parts of our marine world. Admittance is free. The physical ability to move the massive stone was also seen as a sign of high chiefly capacity. This king is known as the Merrie Monarch king as he brought song and dance (hula) back to popularity. Art rotates so take a look and see if it is open. Adam Baker had been involved in the theater business since the early 1900s and was a well-known showman in Hawai’i. Since this is a loop it doesn’t matter where you start. A Visit to Hilo May be the Best Bang for Your Buck, Enjoy the Art of Hula at the Merrie Monarch Festival, Visit The ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo, Hilo Makes Sense for Visitors on a Budget, 5 Reasons to Explore Both Sides of the Big Island, University of Hawaii at Hilo Botanical Gardens, Guide to Hilo Area State and National Parks, For College Students Hilo Hawaii is the Place to Stay, Silver Crest Farms – Horseback Riding Tours, Traveling to Hawaii During the Covid-19 Pandemic, Visit the Waipio Valley – What You Need to Know, Great Big Island Beaches to Spot Green Sea Turtles. A living memorial to the victims of tsunamis in Hawaii over the years, the Pacific Tsunami Museum shares their lives and stories. Varying by altitude, some areas of Hilo receive more than 200 inches of rain per year and citizens experiencing more than 270 days of rainfall on an annual basis. Kaikodo Restaurant was here. Here the helpful staff can provide you with information on accommodations, activities and dining in East Hawai’i as well as maps, brochures and bus schedules. Are you looking for the map of another part of the Big Island? Explore downtown Hilo’s historic center while strolling to 21 significant landmarks in 6 square blocks.View the walking tour online, or pick up a copy of the walking tour brochure at the Destination Hilo kiosk. It survived both the 1946 and 1960 tsunami and is now a museum chronicling the history of Big Island tsunamis and the resulting reconstruction of the city. The history of Hilo begins much earlier, however, with the arrival of the Polynesians in 1100 AD. Hilo Printable Tourist Map. The two buildings on the property look much the way they did when they were built. Use this interactive map of Hilo to explore the local activities, sights, hotels and landmarks. Where the Wailuku River meets Hilo Bay on the eastern side of Hawaiʻi’s Big Island is the town of Hilo, Hawaiʻi. Get future posts straight to your inbox by subscribing below. Fly high on a parasail and enjoy an awe inspiring bird’s eye view hundreds of feet above the Big Island’s Kona Coast. In 1977 the Post Office moved out and in 1978 so did the courts. Specializing in ocean tours, Kalapana Lava Boat offers lava tours when lava is flowing and whale, dolphin and waterfall tours in season. King Kalākaua was a member of this fraternal order. While the natural attractions surrounding Hilo rival many others on the Big Island, visitors seeking a more urban experience in their travels should consider Hilo a must-visit destination. For more info: (808) 935-8850, info@downtownhilo.com, Historic Hilo Walking TourExplore downtown Hilo’s historic center while strolling to 21 significant landmarks in 6 square blocks.View the walking tour online, or pick up a copy of the walking tour brochure at the Destination Hilo kiosk.View the Map, Destination Hilo If you’re new to Hilo, start your visit with a stop at the Destination Hilo kiosk next to the Mo’oheau Bus Station. It was scheduled for demolition when the East Hawaii Cultural Council started leasing it for local events. It is considered a poor representation of what he probably looked like. The locals protested and it stayed in storage until 1997 when it was donated to the Island of Hawaii. In the building, The National Oceanographic Institute has constructed the Mokupāpapa to interpret the natural science, culture, and history of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and surrounding marine environment. The pipe organ at this theater was for live performances during silent films. He brought back the Hawaiian tradition of Hula previously banned by missionaries. Please visit their website at www.hilopalace.com for the schedule of movies, performances and special events. 13 East Hawaiʻi Cultural CenterOriginally the old Police Station, it was vacated by the Hilo County Police Department in 1975. MAP OF DOWNTOWN HILO HISTORIC SECTION Start Downtown Hilo Walking Tour: Park your car anywhere you can find parking. A visit to this city is the perfect opportunity to travel back in time and witness a laid-back, serene version of Hawaii that isn’t often replicated today. Head back to Waianuenue Ave. and head a couple blocks into town. Parking is down the road a bit. Visiting Hilo during the annual Merrie Monarch Festival is a wonderful opportunity to explore and enjoy traditional Hawaiian hula, arts and crafts, music, and fun local events.