ZEN RAINFOREST TREEHOUSE RETREAT & FARM STAY
Food scene
Fresh seafood specials; the Ono with coconut crust and berry sauce is ono!
55 locals recommend
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo
64 Keawe StFresh seafood specials; the Ono with coconut crust and berry sauce is ono!
Pineapples Restaurant
332 Keawe StFun, busy open-air atmosphere
Good local and fresh food
Hilo Bay Cafe
123 Lihiwai StOutdoor patio dining available with great views of Hilo Bay.
Ponds Hilo
135 Kalanianaole StFun atmosphere and some views of the ponds. Local specials
Historic building close to Farmer's Market. Great atmosphere for lunch or dinner
139 locals recommend
Cafe Pesto - Hilo
308 Kamehameha AveHistoric building close to Farmer's Market. Great atmosphere for lunch or dinner
Authentic Indian food at a decent price. Not much atmosphere for in-house dining but the food makes up for it!
Order the Riata and Garlic Naan!
28 locals recommend
Kamana Kitchen
1235 Kilauea AveAuthentic Indian food at a decent price. Not much atmosphere for in-house dining but the food makes up for it!
Order the Riata and Garlic Naan!
Longtime local pancake house open 24/7 (except when they close for cleaning). Real local flavor, try a Loco Moco or Sumi
83 locals recommend
Kens House of Pancakes
1730 Kamehameha AveLongtime local pancake house open 24/7 (except when they close for cleaning). Real local flavor, try a Loco Moco or Sumi
They kept much of the original Miyo's menu but changed the live music and atmosphere. Expect to be expected to order from QR menu and new staff who aren't familiar with ingredients. Once my top favorite, I'm downgrading it due to the change in quality consistency and atmosphere since changing ownership. Food is still decent and they still serve Bento Box and Udon that are good
46 locals recommend
Miyo's
564 Hinano StThey kept much of the original Miyo's menu but changed the live music and atmosphere. Expect to be expected to order from QR menu and new staff who aren't familiar with ingredients. Once my top favorite, I'm downgrading it due to the change in quality consistency and atmosphere since changing ownership. Food is still decent and they still serve Bento Box and Udon that are good
Lots of local dishes, large servings, breakfast and full bar. Expect a wait for seating as they don't take reservations
105 locals recommend
Hawaiian Style Cafe Hilo
681 Manono StLots of local dishes, large servings, breakfast and full bar. Expect a wait for seating as they don't take reservations
Hilo Burger Joint
776 Kilauea AveGood burgers, music, full bar. Parking can be hard to find
Sightseeing
Beautiful Japanese gardens and bridge to Coconut Island on Hilo Bay. A must-do to get out and walk around. When tide is high, you can wade through seawater along the path. Some of the best views from Hilo Bay, easy parking and free
103 locals recommend
Liliuokalani Park and Gardens
189 Lihiwai St Beautiful Japanese gardens and bridge to Coconut Island on Hilo Bay. A must-do to get out and walk around. When tide is high, you can wade through seawater along the path. Some of the best views from Hilo Bay, easy parking and free
Tallest and most magnificent falls on the Big Island. Parking can be limited but you can park on the way in. Fee for non-Hawaii residents but easy trail (steps and handrail) and very picturesque.
341 locals recommend
Akaka Falls State Park
875 Akaka Falls RdTallest and most magnificent falls on the Big Island. Parking can be limited but you can park on the way in. Fee for non-Hawaii residents but easy trail (steps and handrail) and very picturesque.
Beautiful oceanfront park on Laupahoehoe Point. Drive down is on a twisting sometimes 1 lane road but worth it! Tidepools, boat ramp and Tsunami memorial
29 locals recommend
Laupāhoehoe Beach Park
Hawaii 19Beautiful oceanfront park on Laupahoehoe Point. Drive down is on a twisting sometimes 1 lane road but worth it! Tidepools, boat ramp and Tsunami memorial
A must-do if you have an interest in geology or volcanoes. They have interpretive displays, hiking trails, comfort stations, rangers to answer questions, great hiking trails, lava tube, steam vents and of course, LOTS of LAVA! Take a flashlight (for the tube or to see on trails if going after dark to see the glow) and a jacket or raincoat because it can get chilly. Plan on it being 4-5 hrs or more. Nearby Volcano Village has good Thai food and other eateries.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
A must-do if you have an interest in geology or volcanoes. They have interpretive displays, hiking trails, comfort stations, rangers to answer questions, great hiking trails, lava tube, steam vents and of course, LOTS of LAVA! Take a flashlight (for the tube or to see on trails if going after dark to see the glow) and a jacket or raincoat because it can get chilly. Plan on it being 4-5 hrs or more. Nearby Volcano Village has good Thai food and other eateries.
Drive up to the Visitors Center at Mauna Kea. Most rental cars will not allow you to go up beyond that point (4WD only). They have bus tours that take you up in late afternoon so you can see the sunset over Kona. Take some warm clothes, at that elevation it can get cold! There are rangers who offer stargazing at night.
48 locals recommend
Maunakea Observatories Support Services
177 Makaala StDrive up to the Visitors Center at Mauna Kea. Most rental cars will not allow you to go up beyond that point (4WD only). They have bus tours that take you up in late afternoon so you can see the sunset over Kona. Take some warm clothes, at that elevation it can get cold! There are rangers who offer stargazing at night.
This is a great astronomy center with lots of information on Big Island history, astronomy and much more. They have a cafe as well.
92 locals recommend
Imiloa Astronomy Center
600 Imiloa PlThis is a great astronomy center with lots of information on Big Island history, astronomy and much more. They have a cafe as well.
Hilo's famed Farmers Market is open Wednesdays and Saturdays, although there are some fruit & vegetable vendors open daily. It gets crowded, but they have a delicious and amazing array of local fruits, veggies, wares and food. Across the road are vendors selling a huge variety of goods.
246 locals recommend
Hilo Farmers Market
Mamo StreetHilo's famed Farmers Market is open Wednesdays and Saturdays, although there are some fruit & vegetable vendors open daily. It gets crowded, but they have a delicious and amazing array of local fruits, veggies, wares and food. Across the road are vendors selling a huge variety of goods.
Beautiful gardens to walk and linger through with a mind-blowing array of tropical flowers and fauna. Beautiful ocean views as well as some hiking trails. Located along the 5 mile Scenic Drive from Papaikou to Pepeekeo
192 locals recommend
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
27-717 Mamalahoa HwyBeautiful gardens to walk and linger through with a mind-blowing array of tropical flowers and fauna. Beautiful ocean views as well as some hiking trails. Located along the 5 mile Scenic Drive from Papaikou to Pepeekeo
See green sea turtles, swim and snorkel at an array of black sand beach parks on the drive past Hilo Harbor. There is ongoing road construction that may detour but it will bring you back to the road to the beaches
176 locals recommend
Richardson Ocean Park
2355 Kalanianaole StSee green sea turtles, swim and snorkel at an array of black sand beach parks on the drive past Hilo Harbor. There is ongoing road construction that may detour but it will bring you back to the road to the beaches
A nice white sand beach with picnic areas, bathroom and parking
64 locals recommend
Spencer Beach Park
62-3461 Kawaihae RoadA nice white sand beach with picnic areas, bathroom and parking
When I go to the beach, I like to make a day of it and do the 2 hr. drive in search of white sand and clear water. Hapuna and Nearby 69 and Spencer Beaches are the closest (lots of tourists) with lifeguards and parking. There is a fee for non residents to park but unless the wind is whipping or there is dangerous surf (warnings will be posted), it feels like a mini getaway.
174 locals recommend
Hāpuna Beach State Park
Old Puako RoadWhen I go to the beach, I like to make a day of it and do the 2 hr. drive in search of white sand and clear water. Hapuna and Nearby 69 and Spencer Beaches are the closest (lots of tourists) with lifeguards and parking. There is a fee for non residents to park but unless the wind is whipping or there is dangerous surf (warnings will be posted), it feels like a mini getaway.
City/town information
"Old Style Hawaiiana" best describes downtown Hilo and surrounding areas. Home to Hilo Bay, black sand beaches, eateries and county seat.
120 locals recommend
Hilo
"Old Style Hawaiiana" best describes downtown Hilo and surrounding areas. Home to Hilo Bay, black sand beaches, eateries and county seat.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Rental car, Taxi, Uber, Hele On Bus
It's best to rent a car in order to easily explore the Hamakua Coast. There is limited Uber and Taxi service and a local bus (Hele On) that makes frequent stops (plan on a trip to Kona taking at least 3 hours)
Customs and culture
Show Respect for All
With the tidal wave of returning tourists, local residents can be annoyed by the aggressive behavior, lack of respect and entitlement shown by some (certainly not all) visitors. Understand that there is a long history here of outsiders coming to the islands and taking advantage of the Aloha Spirit. Please be respectful at all times, make eye contact, smile or otherwise acknowledge people you encounter, apply the "Golden Rule" of kindness and consideration if you find yourself waiting to be served. Mahalo means Thank You!
Customs and culture
Malama the 'Aina
Means to nurture and care for the earth, sea and sky. Please observe all rules concerning endangered wildlife, don't litter or take away natural resources, do not trespass or park off road. Honor the land, show you care!
Customs and culture
Stay on Trails and Observe No Trespassing Signs
Don't venture off trails or down a path where you don't know where it leads.
Customs and culture
Popular Hawaiian words and terms
https://ambassadorwaikiki.com/blog/22-hawaiian-phrases-learn-you-visit-hawaii
Link to article that explains 22 of the most used hawaiian phrases