Hilo is a coastal town in the State of Hawaii. It is the largest settlement on the island of Hawaii, and the second largest settlement in the state.
Hilo is the county seat of Hawaii County, Hawaii, and is situated in the South Hilo District. The town overlooks Hilo Bay, and is near two shield volcanoes, Mauna Loa, considered active, and Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano upon which some of the best ground-based astronomical observatories are placed.
Hilo is home to the University of Hawaii at Hilo, as well as the Merrie Monarch Festival, a week-long celebration of ancient and modern hula, which takes place annually after Easter. It is also home to the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation, one of the world's leading producers of macadamia nuts. It is served by Hilo International Airport, inside the CDP.
Besides being a rare surviving example of an Hawaiian plantation town, cultural diversity is one of Hilo's special charms. The local term, "mixed plate", describes well the impact made by Polynesians, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Koreans, other Pacific Islanders and Europeans on Hilo's mixed-race culture of today. All these ethnic groups blend in the faces of the people who give Hilo its charm. Its diverse shopping opportunities, its small scale and its friendliness makes Hilo the perfect town in which to linger just a little longer.
Housing Cost
Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $368,869
Demographics
Population in July 2007: 47,317. Hilo covers 54.3 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 38 feet above sea level. Zip codes: 96720, 96721 - Area code: 808
Weather
Hilo, HI climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 70's and warm during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 70's.
The warmest month of the year is September with an average maximum temperature of 83.40 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is February with an average minimum temperature of 63.50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be fairly limited during summer with a difference that can reach 14 degrees Fahrenheit, and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 16 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Hilo is 99.99 Inches. Winter months tend to be wetter than summer months. The wettest month of the year is November with an average rainfall of 15.58 Inches.
Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com
