Description
As one of the oldest towns in the state, Hilo offers a rich mix of contemporary and historical attractions. Hilo offers botanical gardens, fish auctions, street markets, and a renovated downtown area with cafes, shops and a historic theater.

Local Information
Hilo flows down the lower slopes of Mauna Kea. The town straddles a tranquil river with waterfalls and lush vegetation. Historic Downtown Hilo is alive and bustling. More laid back from the hustle of more touristy Hawaii, one can find great bargains in this quaint town. Its diverse shopping opportunities, small scale, and friendliness makes Hilo an enchanting town to visit and explore. With lots of rain, you will find Hilo exceptionally green and fertile. The stoic banyan trees dominate much of Hilo's waterfront. On Banyan Drive you will find the tranquil Queen Liliuokalani Gardens and across a footbridge in the bay is Coconut Island, both wonderful places to visit and enjoy their beauty.

Airport Information
The Big Island has two airports that accommodate major air traffic. Kona International Airport at Keahole, located seven miles northwest of Kailua-Kona on the leeward side of the island, accommodates domestic overseas, international, interisland, commuter/air taxi, and general aviation flights. Hilo International Airport, two miles east of Hilo on the eastern shore of the island, is used principally for interisland air carrier and general aviation operations. Many flights into both Hilo and Kailua-Kona originate as interisland flights from Oahu's Honolulu International Airport or other smaller airports in the Islands.

Local Weather
The Hawaiian Island's weather is very consistent, with only moderate changes in temperature throughout the year. There are only 2 seasons: the summer months (called Kau in Hawaiian) that extend from May to October and the winter months that run from November to April. The average day-time summer temperature at sea level is 85 degrees F. (29.4 C) while the average day-time winter temperature is 78 degrees (25.6 C).

Entry Requirements
We recommend all persons travelling abroad should carry a passport due to heightened security at airport check-in and immigration. If you do not have a passport , please contact your airline or your local consulate or embassy in regards to travel documentation necessary for your vacation.