2026/27 HILO HOLIDAYS AND TOURS

A lush, tropical town known for its botanical gardens, fertile rainforest and dramatic waterfalls, Hilo is home to one of two airports on the Island of Hawai‘i and makes an ideal base for a visit to the world-renowned Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. A great addition to any Hawaii holiday, Hilo offers easy access to some of the island’s most striking natural landscapes.

Once a bustling farming and fishing town, Hilo evolved into a commercial centre for the sugar cane industry in the 1800s before relaxing into the laidback, historical town it is today. Downtown Hilo was built around its crescent-shaped bay, and offers a charming mix of museums, arts galleries, shops and restaurants – as well as the daily Hilo Farmers Market which showcases Hawai‘i’s delicious local produce, exquisite tropical flowers and unique handmade crafts.

Elsewhere, history enthusiasts can learn about the area’s past at the Lyman Museum, while visitors interested in the natural sciences will find plenty to explore at the Pacific Tsunami Museum and the recently constructed ‘Imiloa Astronomy Centre.

Hilo is also well suited to a tailor-made holiday, with its mix of culture, nature and proximity to key attractions allowing you to explore at your own pace. Nature lovers will want to visit the expansive Lili’uokalani Gardens (named after Hawai‘i’s last reigning queen) and Wailuku River State Park, home to the beautiful Waiānuenue Rainbow Falls.