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Hilo
Town, the Seat of Government for Hawaii County, faces
the windward trades,
which
creates a climate that is tropical, vegetation that is
green and lush, with an abundance of flowers, waterfalls
and of course, rain.
Nestled
on a natural bay, the town of Hilo is noted for it's quaint
architecture and the charm of it's people. You will often see
them gathered at the edge of Hilo Bay on a Saturday, cheering
on their favorite canoe club's team in the canoe races, and
celebrating victory, or defeat, with equal enthusiasm.
In
1964, Hilo was struck by a devastating tidal wave that wiped
out a large section of the old town. The area, now designated
as a tidal wave buffer zone, is called Waiakea Park and is
used only for athletic and family activities.
Resting
at the base of both Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, and with the best
deep draft harbor on the Big Island of Hawaii, Hilo is also
a
center
for commerce and shipping, as well as a weekly stop for several
cruise ship lines.
North
of Hilo is the Hamakua Coast, a splendor of scenic beauty all
the way to Waimea. Some of the sights to see there are breathtaking
Akaka Falls, Kole Kole State Park (a great place to picnic!)
and the scenic drive north to the sleepy plantation town of
Honokaa, bordering on Waimea, and the beginning of the Parker
Ranch lands.
Thank
you for taking our Hilo tour and be sure to visit the other
areas of the Big Island of Hawaii - click on the link below
to return to the Big Island Image map. Aloha! and Mahalo!!
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