Indian Chief Travel Guides

Hilo

Hilo is the largest city on the island, and fourth largest in the state of Hawaii. It is the seat of Hawaii County, and the commercial and political center of the Big Island, with a population of approximately 47.000. It also boasts some of the largest orchid and anthurium gardens and macadamia nut orchards in the state, and is smack in the middle of one of the wettest parts of the island, averaging nearly 140 inches of rainfall annually. The city itself is situated at the head of Hilo Bay, fanning out south and westward, surrounded by lush, green hills. It is, quite characteristically, filled with contemporary as well as turn- of-the-century homes and buildings, as well as abundant public parks and recreation areas, plant nurseries and flower gardens. It also has a couple of museums of interest, and fresh produce and fish markets, a handful of beach parks quite close at hand, and best of all, a tropical rainforest zoo, the only one of its kind in the country.