Hilo, Hawaii Hilo is a coastal city in the State of Hawaii, and is the largest municipal area on the island of Hawaii. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 40,759. Hilo is the county seat of Hawaii County, Hawaii, and is situated in the South Hilo District. The city overlooks Hilo Bay, and is near two mountains, Mauna Loa, an active volcano, and Mauna Kea, upon which several astronomical observatories are placed. The city 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 each year in the week following Easter. Geography Hilo is located at 19°42'20" North, 155°5'9" West (19.705520, -155.085918)GR1, the southernmost city in the United States. According to the United States Census Bureau, the Census Designated Place (CDP) has a total area of 151.4 km sq. (58.4 mi sq. ). 140.6 km sq. (54.3 mi sq. ) of it is land and 10.7 km sq. (4.2 mi sq. ) of it is water. The total area is 7.10% water. Hilo's location on the eastern side of the island of Hawaii (windward relative to the trade winds) makes it one of the wettest cities in the world. An average of 129.19 inches (3281 mm) of rain falls on Hilo annually. Its location on the shore of the funnel-shaped Hilo Bay also makes it vulnerable to tsunamis. History Although archaeological evidence is scant, people certainly inhabited the areas along Hilo Bay, Wailuku and Wailoa Rivers before the Western world made contact. Missionaries came to Hilo in the early to middle 1800s, founding several churches, notably Haili Church. Hilo expanded as sugar plantations in the surrounding area drew in many workers from Asia, and the city became a trading center. A breakwater across Hilo Bay was begun in the 1900s and completed in 1929. On April 1, 1946 a 7.8 magnitude earthquake near the Aleutian Islands created a 14-meter high tsunami that hit Hilo hours later killing 159 people. As a result, an early warning system, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, was established to track these killer waves and provide warning. On May 23, 1960, another tsunami, caused by a 9.5 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Chile the previous day, claimed 61 lives allegedly due to people's failure to heed warning sirens. Low-lying bayfront areas of the city on Waiakea peninsula and along Hilo Bay, previously populated, were rededicated as parks and memorials. Starting in the 1960s, Hilo expanded inland. In the 1980s, the downtown found a new role as the city's cultural center with several galleries, museums being opened as well as the Palace Theatre (No link to Hilo Palace Theater, however it is in the process of reconstruction and there are shows there from time to time. It's a real gem.) reopening in 1998 as an arthouse. During the 1990s, closure of the sugar plantations (including those in Hamakua) led to a downturn in the local economy, coinciding with a general statewide slump. In recent years, Hilo has been experiencing commercial and population growth as the neighboring district of Puna has become the fastest-growing region in the state. Education Hilo is home to a number of educational institutions, including 2 post-secondary institutions, the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College. Government and Politics Hilo is not an incorporated city, and does not itself have a municipal government. The entire island, which is slightly smaller than the state of Connecticut, is under the jurisdiction of Hawaii County, of which Hilo is the county seat. Hilo is home to county, state, and federal offices, including a US Courthouse. Hilo and its outlying areas are traditionally more Democratic-leaning than West Hawaii, which adds to tension between the two major municipal areas. It has also presented more opposition to development than other large communities elsewhere in the state. Business Hilo has a large tourism sector, as is prevailant accross the whole island. Hilo, as the second largest city in the state of Hawaii, is home to shopping centers, movie theaters, hotels, restaurants, and downtown area full of various shops. Many businesses are able to cope with both the native and tourist populations, such as Beach Dog Computer Center, Cronies Bar and Grill, Big Island Candies, Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut, and Prince Kuhio Plaza. The above article in gray is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License It is from Wikipedia article Hilo, Hawaii   New! Hometown USA Photo Sharing Photo Galleries These photo galleries are available for you to share, view and post pictures such as: Pictures depicting what life is like in your hometown> Photos of scenes or scenery in your hometown Pictures that you want to share with your friends and family Commercial photos - real estate, store fronts, etc. Birthdays, Anniversaries, Vacation photos to share School academic and sporting event photos Deployed military personal photos to share with friends and family back home. Much more...

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