Hilo Overview
Hilo is a laid-back, rainy town on the east side of Hawaiʻi Island. The cruise pier is close to town, but most visitors use Hilo as a base for waterfalls, lava landscapes, and national park time rather than the town itself.
A Little History
Hilo grew as a sugar town and port, with plantation-era neighborhoods and a modest downtown. Tsunamis in the 20th century reshaped the bayfront and cleared some older areas that are now parks. Tourism is smaller here than on the Kona side, which explains the more local, everyday feel.
Museums
The Lyman Museum and Mission House covers island geology and cultural history. The Pacific Tsunami Museum explains local disasters and science. Both are compact and suited to a cruise stop. Volcanoes National Park, about 45 minutes away, has a main visitor center with exhibits and rangers. Hours can change with volcanic activity.
- Tip: If weather wipes out your volcano or waterfall plans, pairing the Tsunami Museum with a slow bayfront walk still gives you a good sense of place.
Major Parks and Attractions
The big draw from Hilo is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: craters, lava fields, and scenic drives. Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls are classic photo stops. In town, Liliʻuokalani Gardens and Coconut Island offer calm bay views and short walks. It rains a lot; plan for wet surfaces and changeable skies.
Nearby Places (Easy Day Trips)
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (half to full day depending on hikes; guided tours available), Akaka Falls and a bit of Hamakua Coast scenery (3–4 hours), lava-tube or black-sand-beach stops depending on current conditions and road access. The Kona side is too far for a comfortable out-and-back on a short call.
Shopping
Downtown Hilo has small shops with local crafts, koa wood items, Hawaiian shirts, and food products like coffee and macadamia nuts. The Hilo Farmers Market (days vary; strongest on certain weekdays and weekends) adds produce and artisan goods.
- Note: Market hours and stall counts change with the day; check which day your ship arrives.
Food and Drink
Hilo’s food scene is casual: plate lunches, poke, bakeries, and basic cafes. You’ll find local-style dishes, Asian influences, and some farm-to-table spots. Tipping follows US norms (15–20 percent at sit-down restaurants).
Practical eating tips:
- Try a plate lunch or poke shop away from the immediate port; it’s usually better value and more local.
- Some places close early or shut between lunch and dinner; confirm hours if you plan a late meal.
- If you head to the volcano, bring snacks and water; services in and near the park are limited.
- Coffee, shave ice, and bakery stops are easy to work into drives and make quick fuel-ups.
Currency, Payments, ATMs
US dollar. Cards widely accepted. Contactless is common. Bank ATMs are easy to find downtown and at some gas stations or shopping centers.
Opening Hours and Holidays
Shops generally run 9:00–17:00, possibly a bit later near the main streets. Museums may close Sunday or Monday. National park hours and road closures can change quickly with volcanic activity; check current schedule.
Holidays that may affect hours or services:
- Jan 1 (New Year’s Day)
- Third Mon in Jan (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
- Last Mon in May (Memorial Day)
- Jul 4 (Independence Day)
- Fourth Thu in Nov (Thanksgiving)
- Dec 25 (Christmas)
Practical City Notes
Hilo sidewalks and park paths get slick in constant rain; good footwear matters. Driving is straightforward but distances add up; self-drivers should watch their timing carefully. Official tours remove the stress if roads or park access change. English is the main language; Hawaiian is visible in signage.
Quick Plans
- 3–4 hours: Liliʻuokalani Gardens and Coconut Island, short downtown walk, and either the Tsunami Museum or Lyman Museum.
- 6–8 hours: Half-day trip to Volcanoes National Park with a couple of key lookouts and a short trail, plus a bayfront stroll back in Hilo.
- Full day: Longer volcano tour combining craters, steam vents, a lava tube if open, and a waterfall stop on the way back.