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City guide

Hilo, Hawaii

Hilo is the largest settlement in and the county seat of Hawaiʻi County, Hawaii, United States, which encompasses the Island of Hawaiʻi, and is a census-designated place (CDP). The population was 44,186 according to the 2020 census.

Type CityPopulation 44,186

Why go

  • Census-designated place in United States.
  • 1 curated must-see attraction on record, including Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
  • Served by Hilo International Airport (ITO).

History

Hilo is the largest settlement in and the county seat of Hawaiʻi County, Hawaii, United States, which encompasses the Island of Hawaiʻi, and is a census-designated place (CDP). The population was 44,186 according to the 2020 census. It is the fourth-largest settlement in the state of Hawaiʻi, the largest settlement in the state outside of Oahu, and the largest settlement in the state outside of the Greater Honolulu Area.

Must-see attractions

Airports

Hilo International Airport (ITO) 3.9 mi to the centre
Hilo, HI, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 3 airlines (Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways) · direct flights to 3 destinations incl. Honolulu, Kahului, Los Angeles (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 3 airlines, 3 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Hilo International Airport (ITO). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: ITO has direct flights to 3 destinations on 3 airlines (incl. Honolulu, Kahului, Los Angeles).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Hilo, Hawaii. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Local transit

Bus · Hawai'i Island, Hawaii · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach