Traveling in Hilo

Hilo is a town on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is also the county seat and largest city in Hawaii County, so many people use it as the starting point to explore the eastern half of the island. The town has a population of just over 40,000 people. It looks out over Hilo Bay and most of the town's development is between Hilo Bay and Waiakea-Uka near the active volcano of Mauna Loa. Hilo is where you will find the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corportation and Hilo International Airport.
The town's climate is tropical rainforest. There is a significant amount of rainfall throughout the year. It is located on the eastern, or windward side of the Big Island so it is the third wettest city in the United States. There are an average of 126 inches of rain annually and precipitation occurs on 275 days a year. The monthly mean temperature is 71 degrees Fahrenheit in January and 76 degrees Fahrenheit in August.
Neighborhoods & Around
Downtown Hilo has plenty of shopping opportunities and restaurants, particularly in the Bayfront area. The farmer's market is also located downtown. The downtown area is pedestrian friendly and you can spend a decent amount of time exploring the area.
If you're looking for retail shopping then head to Prince Kuhio Plaza. It is best to have a car as this is not a pedestrian friendly area.
If you want to enjoy the ocean then Richardson's Ocean Park is a great place to visit. It's located at the end of Kalanianaole (Highway 19). This is a popular place with locals for family cookouts. It's also a great place to snorkel or relax on the beach.