Hilo (pronounced as he-low) is a coastal city in the State of Hawaiʻi, and is the largest community on the island of Hawaiʻi. The population was 40,759 at the 2000 census. This article is becoming very long. ... The Island of HawaiÊ»i (called the Big Island or HawaiÊ»i proper) is one of eight main islands that make up the U.S. State of HawaiÊ»i. ...

Hilo is the county seat of Hawaiʻi County, Hawaiʻi, and is situated in the South Hilo District. The city overlooks Hilo Bay, and is near two shield volcanoes, Mauna Loa, considered active , and Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano upon which some of the best ground-based astronomical observatories are placed. A county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county, primarily used in the United States. ... Hawai‘i County is a county located in the state of Hawai‘i in the Hawaiian Islands. ... Mauna Loa is an active shield volcano in the Hawaiian Islands, one of five volcanoes that form the Island of Hawaii. ... Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano in the Hawaiian Islands, one of five volcanic peaks that together form the island of Hawaii. ... MolÄ—tai Astronomical Observatory An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial and/or celestial events. ...

The city is home to the University of Hawaiʻi 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. The University of Hawaii at Hilo is one of ten branches of the University of Hawaii System anchored by the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in Honolulu, Hawaii. ... The Merrie Monarch Festival is a week-long hula festival that takes place annually in Hilo, Hawaii. ... Hula is universally known as primarily a Hawaiian dance. ... Easter, also known as Pascha (Greek Πάσχα: Passover), the Feast of the Resurrection, the Sunday of the Resurrection, or Resurrection Day, is the most important religious feast of the Christian liturgical year, observed between late March and late April (early April to early May in Eastern Christianity). ...

Aerial view of Hilo bay and city

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 667 KB) Summary Aerial photo of Hilo Bay, Hawaii. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 667 KB) Summary Aerial photo of Hilo Bay, Hawaii. ...

Geography

Hilo is located at 19°42′20″N, 155°5′9″W (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 km² (58.4 mi²). 140.6 km² (54.3 mi²) of it is land and 10.7 km² (4.2 mi²) of it (7.10%) is water. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title ) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ... A census-designated place (CDP) is an area identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical reporting. ... A square metre (US spelling: square meter) is by definition the area enclosed by a square with sides each 1 metre long. ... A square mile is an Imperial unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (5,280 feet, 1,760 yards, 1,609. ...

Hilo's location on the eastern side of the island of Hawaiʻi (windward relative to the trade winds) makes it the wettest city in the United States and one of the wettest cities in the world. An average of 129.19 inches (3281 mm) of rain falls on Hilo annually. Windward is the side of a boat into which the wind is blowing. ... The trade winds are a pattern of wind found in bands around the Earths equatorial region. ...

Its location on the shore of the funnel-shaped Hilo Bay also makes it vulnerable to tsunamis. The tsunami that struck Malé in the Maldives on December 26, 2004. ...

Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 40,759 people, 14,577 households, and 10,101 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 289.9/km² (750.8/mi²). There were 16,026 housing units at an average density of 114.0/km² (295.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 17.12% White, 0.45% African American, 0.34% Native American, 38.30% Asian, 13.12% Pacific Islander, 0.94% from other races, and 29.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.78% of the population. 1870 US Census for New York City A census is the process of obtaining information about every member of a population (not necessarily a human population). ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... Race, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget, is a self-identification data item in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ...

There were 14,577 households out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.19. Matrimony redirects here. ...

In the CDP the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $39,139, and the median income for a family was $48,150. Males had a median income of $36,049 versus $27,626 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,220. About 11.1% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over. The per capita income for a group of people may be defined as their total personal income, divided by the total population. ... Map of countries showing percentage of population who have an income below the national poverty line The poverty line is the level of income below which one cannot afford to purchase all the resources one requires to live. ...

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. The Wailuku River is a 26-mile (42km) long water course on the Island of Hawaii in the Hawaiian Islands. ...

Hilo expanded as sugar plantations in the surrounding area drew in many workers from Asia, and the city became a trading center. A sugarcane plantation at Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, 2005 A plantation is a large tract of monoculture, as a tree plantation, a cotton plantation, a tea plantation or a tobacco plantation. ...

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. In response an early warning system, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, was established to track these killer waves and provide warning. April 1 is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 274 days remaining. ... 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Aleutian Island earthquake was an earthquake near the Aleutian Islands on April 1, 1946, and was followed by a Pacific-wide tsunami wave. ... Looking down the Aleutians from an airplane. ... Tsunameter and buoys used by DART system The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), operated by NOAA in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, USA, is a tsunami warning system, overseeing international tsunami prediction and issuing warnings for the Pacific Ocean area. ...

Aftermath of the 1960 Chilean tsunami in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, where the tsunami left 61 people dead and 282 seriously injured.

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 Waiākea peninsula and along Hilo Bay, previously populated, were rededicated as parks and memorials. Download high resolution version (766x612, 97 KB)Aftermath of the 1960 Chilean tsunami in Hilo, Hawaii, where the tsunami left 61 people dead and 282 seriously injured. ... Download high resolution version (766x612, 97 KB)Aftermath of the 1960 Chilean tsunami in Hilo, Hawaii, where the tsunami left 61 people dead and 282 seriously injured. ... The Great Chilean Earthquake of May 22, 1960 is the largest magnitude earthquake in recorded history. ... May 23 is the 143rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (144th in leap years). ... 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1960 calendar). ... The Great Chilean Earthquake or Valdivia Earthquake (Terremoto de Valdivia in spanish) of May 22, 1960 is the largest magnitude earthquake recorded since seismographic monitoring began. ... Waiākea is a subdivision of houses and land in Hilo, HawaiÊ»i. ...

Hilo expanded inland beginning in the 1960s. The downtown found a new role in the 1980s as the city's cultural center with several galleries and museums being opened; the Palace Theatre was reopened in 1998 as an arthouse. The Palace Theatre is a movie theatre in downtown Hilo, Hawaii. ...

Closure of the sugar plantations (including those in Hāmākua) during the 1990s led to a downturn in the local economy, coinciding with a general statewide slump. Hilo in recent years has seen commercial and population growth as the neighboring district of Puna became the fastest-growing region in the state. Hamakua lies on the north coast of the big island of Hawaii and is aproximately fifty miles long ending at Waipio Valley. ... Puna District, Hawaii The Puna district of the Big Island is located on the windward side of the Island of Hawaii in the State of Hawaii. ...

Education

Main article: Schools of Hilo, Hawaii

Hilo is home to a number of educational institutions, including two post-secondary institutions, the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College. Hilo is home to a number of educational institutions, including 2 post-secondary institutions, the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College. ... The University of Hawaii at Hilo is one of ten branches of the University of Hawaii System anchored by the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in Honolulu, Hawaii. ... Categories: Stub | Universities and colleges in Hawaii ...

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 Hawaiʻi County, of which Hilo is the county seat. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Hawaii County is a county located in the state of Hawaii in the Hawaiian Islands. ...

Hilo is home to county, state, and federal offices, including a U.S. Courthouse.

Hilo and its outlying areas are traditionally more Democratic-leaning than West Hawaiʻi, 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. The Democratic Party is one of two major political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. ...

Business

Hilo has a large tourism sector, as is prevalant across the whole island. Hilo, as the second largest city in the state of Hawaiʻi, is home to shopping centers, movie theaters, hotels, restaurants, and downtown area full of various shops.

Culture

• East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center

The East Hawaii Cultural Center is a Hilo, Hawaii-based cultural center that has regular art exhibits and holds workshops and classes. ...

People from Hilo

• BJ Penn
  
• Gerald Okamura
• Nolan Kamitaki

B.J. The Prodigy Penn (born December 12, 1978 in Hilo, Hawaii) is a professional mixed martial arts fighter. ... Gerald Okamura is a skilled theatrical martial artist. ...

Points of interest

• Hilo Tropical Gardens
• Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens
• Lyman Museum
• Nani Mau Gardens
• University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Botanical Gardens
• ʻImiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaiʻi

Hilo Tropical Gardens (2 acres) are commercial botanical gardens located at 1477 Kalanianaole Avenue, Hilo, Hawaii (island), Hawaii. ... Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens is a 30-acre city park with Japanese gardens, located on Banyan Drive in Hilo on the island of Hawaiʻi. ... The Lyman House Memorial Museum, also known as the Lyman Museum, is a Hilo, Hawaii-based natural history museum founded in 1931 in the Lyman family mission house, originally built in 1839. ... Nani Mau Gardens (20 acres) are commercial botanical gardens located at 421 Makalika Street, Hilo, Hawaii (island), Hawaii. ... The University of Hawaii at Hilo Botanical Gardens are botanical gardens on the University of Hawaii at Hilo campus, located at 200 West Kawili Street, Hilo, Hawaii (island), Hawaii. ...

External links

• Maps and aerial photos Coordinates: 19.70552° -155.085918°
  • Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
  • Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
  • Topographic map from TopoZone
  • Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
• Pacific Tsunami Museum

	State of Hawaiʻi Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Hawaii. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Chief Justice Associate Justices Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Minor parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures State Courts Counties, Cities, and Towns Other countries â€¢ Politics Portal • • A state of the United States is any one of the fifty subnational entities referred to... This article is becoming very long. ...
Topics	Geography | Government | History | Politics | People . This is a list of Hawaii-related topics: List of Governors of Hawaii List of movies set in Hawaii List of people from Hawaii List of counties in Hawaii List of rivers in Hawaii List of Hawaiian State Highways List of Hawaiian state parks Contents: Top - 0-9 A B... Map of the Hawaiian Islands, a chain of islands that stretches 2,400 km in a northwesterly direction from the southern tip of the Island of Hawai‘i. ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The history of Hawaii includes phases of early Polynesian settlement, Euro-American and Asian immigration, overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, admission to the United States as a territory and then a state. ... // History and Current Issues This only covers the history of the politics of the State of Hawaii. ... This is a list of people from Hawaii. ...
Capital	Honolulu
Islands	Hawaiʻi | Kahoʻolawe | Kauaʻi | Lānaʻi | Maui | Molokaʻi | Niʻihau | Northwestern Hawaiʻian Islands | Oʻahu Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, site of first U.S. capital. ... Honolulu redirects here. ... Map of the Hawaiian Islands, a chain of islands that stretches 2,400 km in a northwesterly direction from the southern tip of the Island of Hawai‘i. ... The Island of HawaiÊ»i (called the Big Island or HawaiÊ»i proper) is one of eight main islands that make up the U.S. State of HawaiÊ»i. ... Kaho‘olawe is the smallest of the 8 main volcanic islands in the Hawaiian Islands. ... Kaua‘i (usually called Kauai outside the Hawaiian Islands, pronounced kawa-ee) is the oldest and fourth largest of the main Hawaiian Islands, having an area of 1,430. ... Lānai (IPA: ) is the sixth-largest of the Hawaiian Islands. ... Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at 727 square miles (1883 km²). Native Hawaiian tradition gives the origin of the islands name in the legend of Hawaiiloa, the Polynesian navigator attributed with discovery of the Hawaiian Islands. ... Image of Molokai taken by NASA. Sign greeting visitors to Molokai at exit to airport. ... Niihau, at 70 sq. ... The Hawaiian island chain. ... OÊ»ahu (usually Oahu outside Hawaiian and Hawaiian English), the Gathering Place, is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous island in the State of Hawaii. ...
Communities	Hilo | Honolulu | Kahului | Waipahu | Līhuʻe The following list includes the various geographical populated places in Hawaii Unincorporated Communities The following is the list of unincorporated communities in Hawaii NOTE: Hawaii has NO incorporated places Aiea, Hawaii Aina Haina, Hawaii Alakea, Hawaii Anachoomlu, Hawaii Cape Smith, Hawaii Capehart, Hawaii Captain Cook, Hawaii Ewa, Hawaii Ewa Beach... Honolulu redirects here. ... Kahului is the largest town on the Hawaiian island of Maui and is located along the north shore of central Maui. ... Waipahu is a former sugar mill town and now census-designated place (CDP) located in the Ewa District on the Island of Oahu in the City & County of Honolulu, Hawaii. ... Cruise ship docked in Port of Nāwiliwili LÄ«hue (IPA: ) is the second largest town on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai in Hawaii. ...
Counties	Hawaiʻi | Honolulu | Kalawao | Kauaʻi | Maui Hawaii counties The five counties of Hawaii on the Hawaiian Islands enjoy somewhat greater status than many counties on the United States mainland. ... Hawai‘i County is a county located in the state of Hawai‘i in the Hawaiian Islands. ... Nickname: Sheltered Bay Official website: http://www. ... Kalawao County is a county located in the state of Hawaii. ... Kauai County is a county located in the state of Hawai‘i. ... Maui County is a county located in the state of Hawaii. ...