I have read that Hilo is not very friendly in one book, and another says it is very friendly. Is it friendly (usually) or not? Do the locals there wish that tourists would go away? Also, I have never been to the BI, only to Maui and Kauai. Is there a city in Maui or Kauai that is similar to Hilo so I can picture it in my mind? I know it gets a lot of rain but I am assuming it doesn't look like Hana (seems like it has more stores, fast food options, etc.). Is it beautiful in areas like Hana as far as lushness?
Thanks!

Hilo is a wonderfully friendly town -- very Hawaiian, very laid back. Lots of good shopping (be sure to visit Sig Zane's for clothing he creates from his handmade textiles).

Hilo is right on Hilo Bay, which is fringed with gorgeous boulders of black lava. Definitely worth a visit, IMHO.

Hilo....Hilo is a blue collar town that has an employment problem. The town may be friendly but, there are certain rules for tourist. Th main rule is if your are going to visit the volcano park, on the Hilo side, do not leave valubles in the car or have it leave your sight. Rental cars have a tendency of turning up missing. Rule number two, if you plan on staying at a hotel within the Hilo district, don't expect a 5-star Hyatt Regency. The hotels are nice but the better ones are located on the other side (Kona). When we stayed there a few years ago, I don't remember alot of rain and we stayed in downtown Hilo. Hilo would be comparible to the back towns of Maui (on the observatory side) which I guess would be the southeast side of the island. You know...where JC Penny and the rest of the big box stores are located.

We live on the mainland and our son lives just south of Hilo (he goes to Hilo for any shopping). We have made numerous trips there (will go again in four weeks, can't wait!) I personally love Hilo. It is incredibily beautiful, lush and green, set right on Hilo Bay. It has a terrific farmers market on Wed. and Sat. I have not encountered anyone unfriendly - in fact, just the opposite has been true for us. A lot of "unfriendlyness" is just your own attitude while you are visiting someone else's home. Hilo is not a big tourist town like Kona, but is is the largest city on the island of Hawaii,the county government is located there and there is a university. No matter where else on the islands I go, I never really feel like I am in Hawaii until I arrive at the Hilo airport and am amoung Hawaiians again. True, there are no 5-star hotels there, but that's okay, there are may lovely places to stay. If you decide to visit, you could stay at the Palm's Cliff house B&B, or any other number of tropical paradise homes. Try either the Cafe Pesto or the Kakaido for food. I love Hilo and the Big Island!

One more thing - about leaving valuables in your rental car, that is true for all of the islands, not just for the Hilo area.

GloriaE

Mahalo for jumping in with your positive reply. A big reason Hilo is so charming, is because it's _not_ Kona.

Mahalo to you auntiemaria for all your helpful Hawaii posts that are full of information. One reason I love Hawaii so, is people like you sharing Aloha.

Glad to hear the positive reports about Hilo. Hilo is my favorite. I have been fortunate not to get "rained out" on my trips.

Hilo reminds me of "southern U.S." towns in the 60's!

Friendly...quite so.... I love to just wander around the stores and look, and see how real Hawaii lives.

Several things that Hilo has that I think is inviting....Tsunima Museum of the Pacific, and Elsie's Fountain.....I know, I know...Elsie has not run it for a few years, and it was sold, remodeled etc...but it still reminds me of a fountain in the 50's.

Also, the story of the King Kamehameha statue in the Park is extremely interesting.

And shoot, if I can't eat at What's Shakin..(greatest smoothies)..hummm I would be disappointed.

No, it's not 4 or 5 star luxury...or perhaps just barely 3 star, I guess that is why Waikaloa was built.

((I stay at Dolphin Bay Hotel...love it, John and the staff are so friendly and helpful.))

Hilo is not for everyone...thank goodness, but I sure love it there.

Hawaii....it' all good!

As for the employment issue mentioned above we talked to several empolyees at the Marriott Waikoloa who are residents of Hilo but drive to Kona to work. Why? They said the only jobs there are in fast food places so they must make a long trek daily for a better wage. Many of them car pool to save on the gas prices of $2.53 per gal. For me it reminds one that while you are on vacation enjoying paradise do not forget those who are serving you so well at your hotel of choice. Its pretty tough for many of them. Actually our maid said they are so short in housekeeping she does double shifts almost daily!