Living a Outdoor Oriented Lifestyle in Hilo, Hawaii

Hilo, the second largest city in Hawaii, is one of the most interesting outdoor oriented communities in the U.S. Located on the southeast coast of Hawaii (the “Big Island”) and near Mauna Loa, one of the active volcanoes in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the climate, the scenery, and the lifestyle are superb. The Hilo area offers unparalleled recreational and scenic opportunities in an ideal year round climate. From here you can surf, swim, hike, bike, sail, or just enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Hilo is an old city formed because of its beautiful harbor on the slopes of Mauna Kea. Early missionaries from Connecticut were instrumental in its creation, and then sugar took over. The downtown is charming with unique architecture dating from the early 1900’s. An enormous park runs along the water’s edge. Interesting shops and restaurants reveal both its colonial and Japanese heritage. As almost every where in Hawaii, as soon as one moves away from the waterfront the terrain goes up – to rivers, waterfalls, and stunning tropical forests.

Where to Retire in Hilo and Home Prices

Retirees can live in town or in developments nearby. Most development is near the water on flat land. Hilo real estate can be surprisingly affordable for Hawaii. Zillow.com showed the median home value was $551,008 in late 2022, although homes go well over $1 million. The farther one gets from the center of town or a beach, the more reasonable the price.

What Is Special about Hilo

• The Mauna Kea Astronomy Education Center • Annual Merrie Monarch Festival • Tsunami Museum Center •University of Hawaii at Hilo

What Is Not Special about Hilo

Hilo is way off the beaten track and far from the Lower 48.  Outside of town towards the National Park there are some areas where drug growers make the area a scary place. Hilo is the rainiest place in the U.S. There were several tsunamis in the 20th century that killed hundreds of people.

Climate and Physical Environment

Hilo is on the coast of Hawaii, the biggest island in the 50th state. The town goes from the graceful harbor up the slopes of Mona Kea, following a river and waterfalls that are in the city limits. There have been several tsunamis in the 20th century that killed hundreds of people.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

The downtown found a new role in the 1980s as the city's cultural center with several galleries and museums being opened. The Palace Theatre was reopened in 1998 as an art house. The University of Hawaii has a campus here. The East Hawaii Cultural Center focuses on preserving traditional island art. There is also the interesting Tsunami Museum, as well as a very large and active farmers market. Hilo is home to the Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, as well as the Merrie Monarch Festival, a week-long celebration of ancient and modern hula which takes place annually after Easter.

Crime

Crime is below average in Hilo.

Medical Facilities

Hilo Medical Center

Transportation

Hilo International Airport is 4 miles from town.

Valuable Links

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