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    • Big Island 4—Hilo

    • rubylu from Sebastopol
    • December 8, 2006
    Rainbow FallsMore Photos
    Hilo is the largest town on the Big Island. Unlike Kona, the town is not centered on the tourist trade. It’s on the rainy side of the island, and doesn’t have great swimming beaches. It does have a colorful history, an interesting downtown, and many natural wonders within a short drive. We managed to slow down from the tourist whirl and got a good glimpse of day-to-day life in Hawaii.

    One day, we took a short drive out of town to see two waterfalls and a cave, all state parks. We made a loop from Hilo, maybe 15 miles total. The drive was lovely, going over streams and through tropical foliage and small towns. Rainbow Falls and Pe’epe’e Falls are both beautiful, with viewing areas and paths to hike down to the pools below the falls. Many groups of people were ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the views.

    Next was Kaumana Cave. There were hardly any other cars on this road, and the only other group of people left soon after we arrived. The cave is actually a lava tube, created by lava flow in 1880. I walked a little way into the cave. It was very impressive, with interesting lava formations. I had a small flashlight, but the darkness swallowed the light right up. The cave goes on for two miles. You should have at least two very bright flashlights if you plan to explore further than a few dozen feet. ${QuickSuggestions} Check out the small shops downtown on the coast road, Kamehameha Ave. There are several galleries and import stores and a natural food store/cafe. The Sig Zane store sells Hawaiian clothing made from textiles with original designs based on Hawaiian plants and traditions. They're so pretty that I find it relaxing just to look at them!

    If you're in town on a Wednesday or Saturday, take a walk through the farmers' market, also on Kamehameha Ave. It has fresh fruits and vegetables, beautiful local flowers at good prices, and crafts and gift items. I didn't get to go to the Pacific Tsunami Museum, also on Kamehameha Ave., but would like to. It has exhibits about tsunamis and specifically the two lethal ones that hit Hilo in 1946 and 1960.${BestWay}
    From journal Big Island 4—Hilo