: Hilo:

Hilo means the first night of the new moon, or the first sliver of moon visible after the new moon. It represents new beginnings. It is said that if you can make it in Hilo, you can make it anywhere...

Hilo is also the name of a famous Polynesian navigator. Maybe that's because it is such a journey to go from Hilo to...anywhere.

Hilo is blessed with Hilo Bay, the best natural port in the Pacific. Before construction of the breakwater, Hilo was know for the best surfing in all Hawaii. Now that the breakwater will be allowed to return to the ocean, Hilo will one day be a top surf spot again.

Hilo is a triune area in Hawaiian history. The three traditional identities within the one Town are:

1. Hilo-one, which means sand Hilo because of the long sand beach in the center of Hilo Bay. We are located in historic Hilo-one near the sea at the Wailuku River, site of the ancient Hawaiian market, since the canoes would pull in to the mouth of the Hawaii's largest river and land at a rock formation shaped like a giant canoe, called Maui's Canoe. The Wailuku River links Hilo-one with the third part: Hilo-pali-ku. Hilo-one is the ancient surfing area, historically the best surfing in the whole Archipelago. Elbert and Mahoe
2. Hilo-Hanakahi is the inland section toward Ke-au-kaha, named for a chief famous in song.
3. Hilo-pali-ku means Hilo of the upright cliff, across to the Northeast bank of the Wailuku River. Walk to the three bridges across the river, or down one of the many foot paths through the jungle ot the river, and you'll see the waterfalls that keep our air fresh with negative ions and the background sound of water, in addition to the nearby surf.

Place Names of Hawaii by Pukui Elbert Mookini (1966 Univ. Press of Hawaii)

What to do in Hilo-Town: Hilo Palace Theatre: Schedule (art films) Commercial theatres & Movies Merrie Monarch Festival: the #1 Hula festival in the world Hawaii Electronic Music Festival Where to eat in Hilo-Town: Cafe Pesto Pacific Rim cuisine: Lunch & Dinner Miyo's homestyle Japanese cuisine with no MSG. Open shoji doors overlook the lagoon. 935-2273 Naung Mai Thai Kitchen: with no MSG. 934-7540 OnlineHilo Where to stay in Hilo-Town: Wild Ginger Inn Hilo Bay Hawaii Hostel Arnott's Lodge Uncle Billy's (the only Hawaiian owned hotels in Hawaii) Shipman House Bed & Breakfast (around the corner from us, the Shipmans practically own East Hawaii, and this is their elegant and historic Hilo-Town house: still in the family) Big Island dining guides: Frommer's Alternative Hawaii Hawaii Restaurants Finding your way: Telephone book with maps Venturing into deep Puna: Kalani Honua Steam Vent Inn Steam vents Kahenna Beach Warm Pond Kingdom of Hawaii History in the Family of Nations