Guidebook for Hilo
Food Scene
Popular local hangout with friendly staff and people. This is the place to enjoy local Hawaiian food. Go hungry because they give you a lot of food.
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Hawaiian Style Cafe Hilo
681 Manono StPopular local hangout with friendly staff and people. This is the place to enjoy local Hawaiian food. Go hungry because they give you a lot of food.
Suisan Fish Market has the freshest poke in Hilo and has the widest selection of flavors. But go early or it may be gone way before closing. Ahi with furikake, shoyu or limu (seaweed) are all favorites. If you want fresh fish for dinner this is where you’d go.
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Suisan Fish Market
93 Lihiwai StSuisan Fish Market has the freshest poke in Hilo and has the widest selection of flavors. But go early or it may be gone way before closing. Ahi with furikake, shoyu or limu (seaweed) are all favorites. If you want fresh fish for dinner this is where you’d go.
Lani’s Island Snack Shack is the best place for Shave Ice. It’s not a snow cone. The ice here is freshly grated, coarser, which makes it lighter and flakier. This allows it to absorb more syrup. Connoisseurs fill the bottom of the cup with azuki or a base of ice cream, and sometimes dribble evaporated milk over the top.
Lani's Island Snack Shack
681 Manono StLani’s Island Snack Shack is the best place for Shave Ice. It’s not a snow cone. The ice here is freshly grated, coarser, which makes it lighter and flakier. This allows it to absorb more syrup. Connoisseurs fill the bottom of the cup with azuki or a base of ice cream, and sometimes dribble evaporated milk over the top.
Big Island Candies is owned by Allan Ikawa and his wife who were both born on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. They started the business in 1977. They make the best shortbread cookies which is a Hawaiian favorite because it was served on the lunch trays in the cafeterias of all the schools in Hawaiʻi. They also serve other cookies, brownies, Biscotti, rusk, manju, chocolate and other treats.
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Big Island Candies
585 Hinano StBig Island Candies is owned by Allan Ikawa and his wife who were both born on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. They started the business in 1977. They make the best shortbread cookies which is a Hawaiian favorite because it was served on the lunch trays in the cafeterias of all the schools in Hawaiʻi. They also serve other cookies, brownies, Biscotti, rusk, manju, chocolate and other treats.
Sightseeing
Banyan Drive is a tree-lined street at the shoreline. It is a great place to take a walk. It is known as the “Hilo Walk of Fame” for the banyan trees planted by movie stars, religious leaders, political leaders, famous authors, adventurers and local Hawaiians. These trees have withstood several tsunamis that have devastated Hilo town. My favorite is spot to take a photo is in front of the banyan tree that was planted by George Herman "Babe Ruth."
Banyan Drive
Banyan DriveBanyan Drive is a tree-lined street at the shoreline. It is a great place to take a walk. It is known as the “Hilo Walk of Fame” for the banyan trees planted by movie stars, religious leaders, political leaders, famous authors, adventurers and local Hawaiians. These trees have withstood several tsunamis that have devastated Hilo town. My favorite is spot to take a photo is in front of the banyan tree that was planted by George Herman "Babe Ruth."
Rainbow Falls) is 80 feet tall and almost 100 feet in diameter. You'll see a lush, dense tropical rain forest with lots of wild ginger and monstera. It is the mythological home to Hina, an ancient Hawaiian goddess. Called Rainbow Falls because on sunny mornings around 10am, the morning sun is refracted through the falling water and creates rainbows everywhere. You can walk down a trail and be on top of the falls. But, be careful. On muddy days you can slip on the mud and end up you know where. I've done it many times but it's well worth it. I would take a change of clothes just in case.
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Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls) is 80 feet tall and almost 100 feet in diameter. You'll see a lush, dense tropical rain forest with lots of wild ginger and monstera. It is the mythological home to Hina, an ancient Hawaiian goddess. Called Rainbow Falls because on sunny mornings around 10am, the morning sun is refracted through the falling water and creates rainbows everywhere. You can walk down a trail and be on top of the falls. But, be careful. On muddy days you can slip on the mud and end up you know where. I've done it many times but it's well worth it. I would take a change of clothes just in case.
Downtown Hilo is lined with old wooden storefronts with a variety of local shops, restaurants, attractions, Palace Theater, museums, Hilo Farmers Market and more. Pick up a copy of the walking tour brochure at the kiosk at the bus station in Moʻoheau Park and take the self-guided walking tour of 21 places. Aloha First Friday is held on the first Friday of the Month with entertainment and gallery receptions, live music, dancing, Taiko drumming, hula performances, food trucks, and street vendors.
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Hilo
Downtown Hilo is lined with old wooden storefronts with a variety of local shops, restaurants, attractions, Palace Theater, museums, Hilo Farmers Market and more. Pick up a copy of the walking tour brochure at the kiosk at the bus station in Moʻoheau Park and take the self-guided walking tour of 21 places. Aloha First Friday is held on the first Friday of the Month with entertainment and gallery receptions, live music, dancing, Taiko drumming, hula performances, food trucks, and street vendors.
There's a long drive on Macadamia Nut Road, past thousand of mac trees, to the factory. There's a walkway that leads along the factory building with large windows where you can see the various stages of the production and packaging process while videos explain the nut processing. Then head over to the store and sample a variety of macadamia nuts and purchase other products. Macadamia nuts are high in the “good” fat that helps reduce cholesterol levels.
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Mauna Loa
16-701 Macadamia RoadThere's a long drive on Macadamia Nut Road, past thousand of mac trees, to the factory. There's a walkway that leads along the factory building with large windows where you can see the various stages of the production and packaging process while videos explain the nut processing. Then head over to the store and sample a variety of macadamia nuts and purchase other products. Macadamia nuts are high in the “good” fat that helps reduce cholesterol levels.
Drinks & Nightlife
Enjoy live music and concerts weekly. My favorite (and friend), nationally-known Ben Kaili plays traditional Hawaiian music in the band, “Kanakapila.” The group’s Tuesday night jam sessions are from 6:30 to 9:30. And, if you like chicken wings, Hilo Town Tavern is the place to go because they have 26 varieties of chicken wings.
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Hilo Town Tavern
168 Keawe StEnjoy live music and concerts weekly. My favorite (and friend), nationally-known Ben Kaili plays traditional Hawaiian music in the band, “Kanakapila.” The group’s Tuesday night jam sessions are from 6:30 to 9:30. And, if you like chicken wings, Hilo Town Tavern is the place to go because they have 26 varieties of chicken wings.
Shopping
Hilo Farmers Market has over 200 vendors selling locally grown exotic fruits and vegetables, locally grown tropical flowers, special Big Island food products, such as island jams, jellies and honey and handmade craft items and beautiful gifts made with Aloha. You’ll find big buckets of orchids and anthuriums line the stalls. Wind chimes, etched glass and koa wood treasures fill the craft section. You can even find local t-shirts, tropical fashions and handmade jewelry. Grab some "Poke 'n Sides" at market restaurant, and ice shave at "Hilo Ono Kine Ice Shave."
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Hilo Farmers Market
Mamo StreetHilo Farmers Market has over 200 vendors selling locally grown exotic fruits and vegetables, locally grown tropical flowers, special Big Island food products, such as island jams, jellies and honey and handmade craft items and beautiful gifts made with Aloha. You’ll find big buckets of orchids and anthuriums line the stalls. Wind chimes, etched glass and koa wood treasures fill the craft section. You can even find local t-shirts, tropical fashions and handmade jewelry. Grab some "Poke 'n Sides" at market restaurant, and ice shave at "Hilo Ono Kine Ice Shave."
Prince Kūhiō Plaza is a single-level shopping center. There’s the main plaza building and several outlying buildings. The major tenants are Sears, Macy’s, Prince Kūhiō Stadium Cinemas, iHOP and Zippy’s Restaurant. Some of the shops at the outlying buildings are Long’s Drugs, Starbucks, Kūhiō Grill, and Yogurtland.
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Prince Kuhio Plaza
111 E Puainako StPrince Kūhiō Plaza is a single-level shopping center. There’s the main plaza building and several outlying buildings. The major tenants are Sears, Macy’s, Prince Kūhiō Stadium Cinemas, iHOP and Zippy’s Restaurant. Some of the shops at the outlying buildings are Long’s Drugs, Starbucks, Kūhiō Grill, and Yogurtland.
Get all your essentials here. Walmart has a section with Hawaiiana souvenirs. Opens until midnight.
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Walmart
325 Makaala StGet all your essentials here. Walmart has a section with Hawaiiana souvenirs. Opens until midnight.
Ross Dress for Less
307 Makaala StOpens until midnight.
Essentials
All your grocery essentials including a pharmacy, snack shop and postage stamps.
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Hilo KTA Super Stores
50 E Puainako StAll your grocery essentials including a pharmacy, snack shop and postage stamps.
All your grocery essentials including a DVD rental service, bakery, deli, Western Union.
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Sack N Save Puainako
2100 Kanoelehua AveAll your grocery essentials including a DVD rental service, bakery, deli, Western Union.
Entertainment & Activities
The Palace Theater was built in 1925. The Palace Theater has a cafe serving refreshments during movie showings, concerts and theatrical performances. It is a favorite venue for performers and bands, with concerts regularly scheduled. Every Spring a local variety show fund-raiser features local talent, and each Fall a full theatrical musical production is staged for serial performances over the course of a month. Independent films are a consistent draw. Special events are staged as well, allowing the public to see and use the theater for a multitude of events outside of the typical use as a movie theater. (NRHP)
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Palace Theater
38 Haili StThe Palace Theater was built in 1925. The Palace Theater has a cafe serving refreshments during movie showings, concerts and theatrical performances. It is a favorite venue for performers and bands, with concerts regularly scheduled. Every Spring a local variety show fund-raiser features local talent, and each Fall a full theatrical musical production is staged for serial performances over the course of a month. Independent films are a consistent draw. Special events are staged as well, allowing the public to see and use the theater for a multitude of events outside of the typical use as a movie theater. (NRHP)
Parks & Nature
Liliʻuokalani Gardens, named after our last reigning monarch, Queen Liliuokalani is an authentic, 30-acre Japanese garden which was dedicated in 1917 as a tribute to Hawaiʻi’s first Japanese immigrants who worked in the Hawaiʻi Island sugar cane fields. It is beautifully landscaped with arching red bridges over fishponds, rock gardens, pagodas, Japanese stone lanterns and a teahouse. A great place to have a peaceful walk and chill out. Sit and see the views of Hilo Bay and Moku Ola (Coconut Island).
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Liliuokalani Park og Haver
189 Lihiwai StLiliʻuokalani Gardens, named after our last reigning monarch, Queen Liliuokalani is an authentic, 30-acre Japanese garden which was dedicated in 1917 as a tribute to Hawaiʻi’s first Japanese immigrants who worked in the Hawaiʻi Island sugar cane fields. It is beautifully landscaped with arching red bridges over fishponds, rock gardens, pagodas, Japanese stone lanterns and a teahouse. A great place to have a peaceful walk and chill out. Sit and see the views of Hilo Bay and Moku Ola (Coconut Island).
Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens has 12-acres and is the only tropical rain forest zoo in the United States. The grounds are filled with tropical palms, orchids, clumping bamboos and tropical rhododendrons. It has more than 80 animal species including the endangered Nene (Hawaiʻi state bird), giant anteaters, two-toed sloths, reptiles, lemurs, parrots and spider monkeys. And best of all is the Bengal tigers which is the main reason my son-in-law wanted to go to the zoo. There are two play structures and a shaded picnic area. Admission is free.
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Panaewa Rainforest Zoo
800 Stainback HwyPanaʻewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens has 12-acres and is the only tropical rain forest zoo in the United States. The grounds are filled with tropical palms, orchids, clumping bamboos and tropical rhododendrons. It has more than 80 animal species including the endangered Nene (Hawaiʻi state bird), giant anteaters, two-toed sloths, reptiles, lemurs, parrots and spider monkeys. And best of all is the Bengal tigers which is the main reason my son-in-law wanted to go to the zoo. There are two play structures and a shaded picnic area. Admission is free.
Onekahakaha Beach Park is a place for swimming, fishing, picnicking, and horseshoes. There are lifeguards, restrooms, picnic tables, pavilions with electricity, fire pits, showers, drinking water, ADA accessible. Surrounding the cove are a few tide pools, which are sometimes visited by sea turtles. However, this pool is not as children-friendly as it has a rockier and deeper bottom and is not protected by the breakwater.
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Onekahakaha Beach Park
74 Onekahakaha RdOnekahakaha Beach Park is a place for swimming, fishing, picnicking, and horseshoes. There are lifeguards, restrooms, picnic tables, pavilions with electricity, fire pits, showers, drinking water, ADA accessible. Surrounding the cove are a few tide pools, which are sometimes visited by sea turtles. However, this pool is not as children-friendly as it has a rockier and deeper bottom and is not protected by the breakwater.
Leleiwi Beach (Richardson’s Ocean Park) has an irregular shoreline with black sand, a series of natural ponds, inlets, and coves. This is a favorite stop to take children. There are life guards for the surfers and divers, eight picnic pavilions, showers, restrooms, paved walkways, and several parking lots.
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Leleiwi Park
2246 Kalanianaole StLeleiwi Beach (Richardson’s Ocean Park) has an irregular shoreline with black sand, a series of natural ponds, inlets, and coves. This is a favorite stop to take children. There are life guards for the surfers and divers, eight picnic pavilions, showers, restrooms, paved walkways, and several parking lots.