Once a thriving town bolstered by the sugar industry. The demise of sugar production has to kept Hilo in a time warp. The characteristic old buildings that makeup Hilo's downtown have been spruced up as part of a revitalization effort.
Exotic Plants
Downtown is walkable put on some comfortable shoes because Hilo is best explored by foot.
The Hilo Farmers Market has a large variety of tropical fruits and vegetables grown right here in the Hawaiian Islands. We have several vendors with certified organic produce too Hilo Farmer’s Market has local produce baked goods, locally grown coffee, honey, nuts, oils, sugar, soap.
S. Hata Building - Built as a general store in 1912, the structure houses specialty shops, professional offices, and a restaurant.
Kress Building
The Kress building, built-in 1932 housed Hilo's popular five-and-dime
store until 1980. The historic building is the only remaining Kress building in
the nation.
Pacific Tsunami Museum
A memorial to all those who lost their lives in tsunamis that have struck the Big Island.
This small museum provides
multimedia information on tsunamis and their effect on the Pacific islands.
Tsunami- Hilo, Hawaii
Banyan Drive - More than 50 leafy Banyan trees planted 60-70 years ago by visiting celebrities line the drive. You will find such names as Amelia Earhart and Franklin Delano Roosevelt on plaques affixed to the trees.
On the road to Akaka Falls State Park
As you drive along Highway 19, there is a sign that says,
“Scenic Route”. It’s a short 4-mile drive coming in and out of the rainforest
while over-looking the crashing sea. The
scenery is spectacular.
Along the way there is a sign for Onomea Falls – we parked
the car and walked the trail. It is a
really peaceful and beautiful trail.
The trail backs up the back of the Hawaii Tropical Gardens,
there is a guard posted at the small bridge on the trail making sure you do not
enter the Gardens and signs telling you “Do not trespass”.
The 4-mile scenic drive exit brings you to Pepeekeo, a
small community and a little country store called Historic Low store built-in
1925. They grow their own pineapples and bananas right outside.
Low Store and Fruit Stand
100% Kona Coffee and Fresh Pinapples!
Like the other towns in Big Island's east
coast, Pepeekeo's history is connected with Hawaii's sugar industry. The
Pepeekeo Sugar Company was among the biggest producers of sugar cane in the
island during the era.
Heading to Akaka Falls you
past a small town called Honomu. The town was established in the sugar cane
era. There is a quaint main
street of shops
Mr. Ed’s Bakery, formerly
Ishigo' s – great home-made bakery goods, jams and jellies, located just 10
minutes from Akaka Falls State Park.
Honomu Odaishisan Buddhist temple
Japanese immigration to Hawaii that began in 1868 marked
the beginnings of large-scale settlement and, with it, the establishment of a
strong religious base of Buddhism.
Akaka Falls State Park
Following the Akaka Falls
Loop Trail people can see both the Kahuna and ‘Akaka Falls (422 feet high)
along with beautiful lush plants and trees
Tropical Forest and mini waterfalls
Tall trees
Follow
the path
Akaka Falls
Mahalo
A hui hou – Until we meet again
It was a beautiful day in Hilo, cloudy, sunny, slight breeze, no rain. The scenery was spectacular in everyway, it was Heavenly.
