Overlooking Hilo Bay, the city of Hilo is located on the central eastern coastline of the Island of Hawai’i. Home to an estimated 47,000 (2007), Hilo is the second largest city, and the oldest city, in the Hawaiian Archipelago. It was once the centre of a busy farming and fishing community which evolved into a commercial center for the sugar industry in the 1800’s. The original settlement was built around its crescent-shaped bay and became the home of the county, state and federal offices of government. Although Hilo has suffered from tsunamis in 1946 and 1960, the downtown area and waterfront have been totally rebuilt and today the city remains a busy and vibrant town. Hilo is more of a ‘local’ town than a ‘tourist’ town, and provides visitors with a real sense of Hawaiian life. Featuring centuries-old wooden shop-fronts, many of which are on the National Register of Historic Places, Hilo offers visitors a variety of local shops, galleries and restaurants, and several interesting attractions. These include the famous Naha Stone which lies in front of the Public Library, the neo-classical Palace Theatre which was built in 1925, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, the Lyman Mission House and Museum, and the Mokupapapa Discovery Centre which brings to life the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. There is also the Honoli’i Beach Park, Nani Mau Gardens, Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo which is the only one of its kind in the U.S.A, and the Imiloa Astronomy Centre which is an astronomy and cultural education centre. For local colour why not visit the bustling Hilo Farmers Market, which was named Hawai’i’s ‘Best Open Market’ in 1999. If you happen to be in Hilo during the Easter break make a point to see the week-long Merrie Monarch Festival, a Hawaiian celebration of the ancient art of hula.
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