Hilo, Hawaii
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| Hilo, Hawaii | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Hilo |
| Settlement type | City |
| Pushpin label position | left |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Hawaii |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Hawaii |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Mitch Roth |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | ~1100 AD (first settlement) |
| Area total sq mi | 58.3 |
| Area land sq mi | 53.4 |
| Area water sq mi | 4.9 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 44,186 |
| Population density sq mi | auto |
| Timezone | Hawaii-Aleutian (HST) |
| Utc offset | -10 |
| Coordinates | 19, 42, 20, N... |
| Elevation ft | 59 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Codes |
| Postal code | 96720-96721 |
| Area code | 808 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 15-14650 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 0359187 |
| Website | www.hilocounty.gov |
Hilo, Hawaii. It is the largest settlement on Hawaii island and the seat of Hawaii County, functioning as a major commercial and cultural hub for the Hawaiian Islands. Nestled along Hilo Bay and shadowed by the volcanoes Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, its history is deeply intertwined with Hawaiian heritage, sugarcane plantations, and resilience against natural disasters. Today, it is renowned for its lush tropical landscape, significant rainfall, and as a gateway to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
History
The area was first settled by Polynesian voyagers around 1100 AD, becoming a center for Hawaiian chiefs and a fertile agricultural district. Kamehameha I was born nearby at Kapakai and later used the bay to build his fleet for the unification of the Kingdom of Hawaii. In the 19th century, the town emerged as a key port for the whaling industry and later for sugarcane plantations, attracting immigrant laborers from China, Japan, and the Philippines. It served as the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii briefly before the capital moved to Honolulu. Hilo was devastated by tsunamis in 1946 and 1960, events that led to the creation of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and its downtown was largely rebuilt inland. The Merrie Monarch Festival, established in 1963, helped revitalize and preserve Hawaiian cultural traditions.
Geography
Situated on the eastern, windward coast of Hawaii island, Hilo is built on ancient lava flows from Mauna Loa and ash deposits from Mauna Kea. Its topography includes dramatic features like the Wailuku River, which flows through town and over the scenic Rainbow Falls, and the crescent-shaped Hilo Bay, protected by a breakwater constructed from lava rock. The urban core is flanked by dense tropical rainforests, with significant landmarks including Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens, Coconut Island, and the Wailoa River State Recreation Area. The nearby Hamakua Coast and the Puna district define its southern and northern boundaries, respectively.
Climate
Hilo features a tropical rainforest climate under the Köppen climate classification, receiving an average of over 126 inches of rain annually, making it one of the wettest cities in the United States. This abundant precipitation is orographic, driven by the northeast trade winds rising over the slopes of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. Temperatures are consistently mild year-round, with average highs in the low 80s °F and lows in the mid-60s °F. While it experiences high humidity, the city is less frequently affected by hurricanes than other parts of the archipelago, though it remains vulnerable to heavy rain events and Kona low storms.
Economy
Historically dominated by sugarcane plantations operated by companies like the Hilo Sugar Company, the economy has diversified significantly since the closure of the last major sugar mill in the 1990s. Today, it is a center for astronomy, with many employees of the Mauna Kea Observatories and support facilities like the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center based in the city. University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College are major employers, alongside Hilo Medical Center and county government offices. Agriculture remains vital, with farms producing orchids, macadamia nuts, and tropical fruits, and the city hosts a famous farmers' market. Tourism is a growing sector, focused on ecotourism, volcano viewing, and cultural experiences.
Culture and attractions
The city is a vibrant center for Hawaiian culture, most famously hosting the annual Merrie Monarch Festival, the world's premier hula competition. Cultural institutions include the Lyman Museum, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, and the East Hawaii Cultural Center. Natural and recreational attractions abound, such as the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, the Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo, and the Nani Mau Gardens. The downtown area features historic buildings like the Hilo Palace Theater and the S. Hata Building. Events like the Hilo Orchid Society show and the Big Island Film Festival contribute to the community's cultural calendar, while the scenic Banyan Drive is lined with trees planted by notable figures including Amelia Earhart and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Government
As the county seat, Hilo is the administrative center for the County of Hawaii, which operates under a mayor-council system. The current mayor is Mitch Roth, and the county council includes representatives from nine districts. Key government facilities are concentrated in the city, including the Hawaii County Building, the Hawaii Police Department's East Hawaii headquarters, and state offices like those for the Hawaii Department of Transportation. The city falls within Hawaii's 2nd congressional district, represented in the U.S. House by Jill Tokuda, and is part of the Hawaii State Senate and Hawaii House of Representatives districts.
Category:Hilo, Hawaii Category:County seats in Hawaii Category:Populated places on the island of Hawaii