Hilo is a coastal city in the State of Hawaii, and is the largest community on the Island of Hawaii. The population was 40,759 at the 2000 census. Hilo is the county seat of Hawaii County, Hawaii, and is situated in the South Hilo District. The city overlooks Hilo Bay, and is near two shield volcanoes, Mauna Loa, considered active, and Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano upon which some of the best ground-based astronomical observatories are placed.

The city is home to the University of Hawaii at Hilo, as well as the Merrie Monarch Festival, a week-long celebration of ancient and modern hula, which takes place each year in the week following Easter and Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation, one of the world's leading producers of macadamia nuts.

The Hilo area of Hawaii was first settled by Polynesians in 1100 A.D. In the late 1700's, the city was the political and social center of the island. In the early 1800's, Missionaries choose Hilo as their home on the Big Island. The city thrived during the early 1900's when the sugar crop was king. Today, after two fierce tsunamis and the decline of sugar as a commercial crop, Hilo still thrives as a relaxing, beautiful and historical center.

Learn more about this city.

City of Hilo, HI official site

City of Hilo, HI Chamber of Commerce

City of Hilo, HI newspaper

County of Hilo, HI official site

State of Hawaii official site