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Place Name
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Hilo
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Pronunciation
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HEE-lo
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Place Status (Type)
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city
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Capital Of
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Hawaii County
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Population
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37,808 (1990)
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Location
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Hawaii County, Hawaii (HI), United States, North America
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Latitude
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19°41'N
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Longitude
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155°05'W
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Hilo
(HEE-lo), city (1990 pop. 37,808),  Hawaii co.,
Hawaii, on Hilo Bay of Hawaii isl. (the Big Isl.),
200 mi/322 km SE of Honolulu, at mouth of
Wailuku R.; 19°41'N 155°05'W. The 2d-largest city of Hawaii, a port
of entry, and the only metropolitan area on the isl., Hilo is the trade
and shipping center for an orchid, papaya, and macadamia nut region;
fish, prawns, and until 1996, sugar. Mfg. (chemicals, machinery, dairy
prods., machinery, food and beverages; printing and publishing). With
the demise of sugar, the economy became based heavily on tourism, which
was spurred by the inauguration in 1967 of direct air service to the
U.S. mainland; Hilo Internatl. Airport (General Lyman Field) on E side
of city. Among Hilo's points of interest are the peaks of Mauna Kea
and Mauna Loa, which rise behind the city; waterfalls on the Wailuku
R.; the Lyman Mission House (c.1839) and Mus.; East Hawaii Cultural
Center; Wailoa R. State Park includes Waiakea Pond, near center of
city, near bay front; and an isl.-park in Hilo Bay. Seat of Hilo Col.,
the Univ. of Hawaii at Hilo, and Hilo Community Col. Badly damaged by
tidal waves in 1946 and 1960; after the latter tidal wave, the lowland
area was drained and a hill 26 ft/8 m above
sea level was constructed. Akaka Falls State Park to N; Wailuku R.
State Parks to W (includes Rainbow Falls); Keaukaha Military Reserve to
SE. S of airport (Natl Guard); Bayfront Beach Park, includes
Lilioukalani Gardens, Coconut (linked by footbridge) and Kaulainaiwi
Isls., E of city center; Hilo Breakwater, on E side of bay, creates
harbor and protects ships from Blonde Reef, immediately to E. Panaewa
and Waiakea Forest Reserves to S, including Panaewa Zoo; Hilo Forest
Reserve to W; Kaumana Caves to SW. Starting point of Hawaii Belt Road,
which encircles the Big Isl. Settled by missionaries c.1822, inc. as a
city 1911.
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