Activities in Hilo

We keep discovering fun things to do in Hilo. Hilo's tropical location, Asian and Polynesian influences, and down-to-earth people have created unique activities that you can't do anywhere else in the USA or Hawaii. There are many outdoor activities (our top 5 favorite ones are listed - all free), museums, performances, and cultural events in Hilo. Hilo has a huge number of recreation centers offering sports, dance, exercise, swimming, arts and crafts and other activities for kids and adults. The Big Island is the premiere center for Astronomy with the largest and most impressive array of telescopes in world atop Mauna Kea offering the opportunity to attend lectures, particpate in events, and join astronmy clubs. Having the University of Hawaii in Hilo and the Hawaii community college in town offers educational opportunities and University level sports events. And Hilo is in paradise with great beaches to swim, surf, kayak, paddle, snorkel, fish, or just soak in the sun.

August Calendar of Events in Hilo
Kids and Teens in Hilo
2008 Merrie Monarch in Hilo
Our Five favorite outdoor Activities in Hilo
Cultural Activities in Hilo
Hilo Recreation Center Activities
Astronomy related Activities
Farming and Hawaii Self sustainability Events
Continuing Education

Five of our favorite Outdoor Activities in Hilo are listed below and they are all Free!

Take a walk in the 30 acre Liliuokalani Gardens every day. Here is a photo tour of our walk in Liliuokalani Gardens. There is a constant stream of walkers and runners around the sidewalk loop. People fish the ponds and sit on the benches watching the ocean pound on the harbor barrier. Walking has been curtailed by the deluge of rain and widespread flooding.

Look for the morning rainbow in the water at Rainbow Falls located almost right in Hilo town. If you go in the morning, you are suppose to be able to see a rainbow in the falls as the sun hits the water. We are still looking.

Walk down Banyon Drive to check on the famous trees. The most famous one among the Japanese tourists is Babe Ruth's tree.

Hike up to the falls in Akaka Falls State Park. The falls are amazing and the walk gives you a great workout.

Visit Namaste and stroll through the amazing tropical gardens in the Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens. Namaste, a white bengal tiger, is incredibly cute. Here is a photo tour of a morning walk in the Zoo and Gardens.

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Cultural and History Activities in Hilo

• East Hawaii Cultural Center performances and events
• University of Hawaii at Hilo public events
• UH Hilo Performing Arts Center performances
• Movies and Performances at Hilo Palace Theater
• Pacific Tsunami Museum
• Lyman House Memorial Museum
• Healing our Island Events

Hilo Recreation

• Kamehameha Canoe Club
• Hilo Dancing: Swing, Ballroom, Latin- Hep Cat Events
• Naniloa Volcanoes Golf club
• Hilo Municipal Golf course
• Hilo Trap and Skeet Range
• Activities in Volcanoes National Park
• Online reservation for Camping Permits on the Big Island

Hilo Recreation Center and Sports events

• Hilo Armory
• Andrews Gym
• Kawananakoa Hall
• Pana'ewa Park
• Pu'ueo Community Center
• Carvalho Park and Pi'ihonua Gym
• Waiakea Recreation Center
• Waiakea Uka Gym
• Wainaku Gym
• NAS Swimming Pool
• Kawamoto Swim Stadium
• Hilo Kamana Senior Center Activities
• UH at Hilo Vulcan Athletic Events

Astronomy related Activities

• 'Imiloa Astronomy Center has displays and programs. It is located on the campus of University of Hawaii, Hilo. I have been to a lot of planetariums and this one is the most amazing I've ever seen- the first 3D planetarium in the world. In addition the displays are great, a 3D video of the earth produced by 4 movie projectors is captivating. They have a huge number of displays about astronomy and combine Hawaiian history and culture with astronomy. It is pricey to go, so we became members so we can continuously go. If that is not feasible, you can volunteer to get access. For me it is up there with the Air and Space museum in Washington DC. Here is a photo tour of one of our mornings at the 'Imiloa.
  
• Mauna Kea Astronomy Visitor Information Center has some events and club meetings. To get there from Hilo, take the Puainako Extension (Hwy 2000) which merges with Saddle Road (Hwy 200). Just before the 28 mile marker, there is a road to the right and a street sign that says Mauna Kea Access Road. Make the right turn. The station is about 6 miles up the road on the right side of the road. The drive takes approximately 1 hour. You may want to check out our picture tour of the drive from Hilo to the Visitor's Center on Saddle Road, before driving there.
• The Institute for Astronomy on the UH Hilo campus has events open to the public.

Farming and Hawaii Self Sustainability Events

• Hawaii Organic Farmer Association
• Sustainable Agriculture Agtourism in Hawaii
• Big Island Aquaculture
• Big Island Solutions
• Slow Food Hawaii
• La'akea Community
• Five Mountains Hawaii (this org may be inactive)

Continuing Education Opportunities

• Hawaii Virtual Library
• SeniorNet Hilo : Teaching Computer Skills
• UH Hilo courses
• Hawaii Community College Hilo courses
• Think Tech World
• Oceanic Warner Research Channel (OCKNOW 55)
• Oceanic Warner Tech Channel (TEC2 56)
• UH Hilo Edwin H. Mookini Library
• Online internet classes
• Pacific Center for Advanced Technical Training
• Kula Nai’a Dolphin Research Foundation

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Copyright 2008