Let's start out by saying that it’s pretty difficult to determine the oldest town in Hawaii for a variety of reasons. Unlike other American states, Hawaii’s earliest settlements do not qualify as cities, as they are often features of urban societies with much larger populations than the communities in pre-European contact Hawaii, according to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. But after some research on the subject, it looks like the oldest Hawaii settlement is Hawaii Island’s Hilo. Here are some interesting facts if you are planning on visiting Hilo in Hawaii,
With a population of approximately 45,000, Hilo is the state’s fourth-largest city.
Although there is little archaeological evidence, oral history of people living in Hilo - along the Wailoa and Wailuku rivers - can be traced back to 1100 AD when the first Polynesians arrived in the area. At this time, much of the eastern coast of Hawaii Island was designated as Hilo, though it has since been split into the District of South Hilo, and the District of North Hilo.
The city didn’t expand until much later in its life.
It wasn’t until the early-mid 1800s that missionaries came to this area, founding the Haili Church where modern Hilo sits today. Hilo grew consistently as an increase of sugar plantations in the surrounding areas created new jobs and drew in workers from Asia.
Today, the city is a thriving community.
Though many of the nearby sugar plantations closed in the 1990s and caused an economic slump, the city has since experienced commercial and population growth in recent years, in part due to the fact that the neighboring Puna District is the fastest-growing region in the state.
The town is full of charm.
Visiting Hilo in Hawaii is unlike many big Hawaiian cities as it has never experienced huge tourist draws, which means it has stayed true to the state’s pre-World War II persona and is full of plantation-style architecture and historic storefronts.
Hilo is a hub for culture on Hawaii Island.
Two decades after Hilo expanded inland in the 1960s, the downtown district found a new purpose as the city’s cultural center and is home to a variety of galleries, museums, and the iconic Palace Theatre. If you're looking for things to do in Hilo, just know that there are plenty of options.
There’s plenty of history.
From an ancient Hawaiian settlement and a popular landing spot for European missionaries to a sugar cane hub and cultural center, Hilo has experienced quite the evolution throughout the years, and the city reflects that in everything from architecture to the sense of community.
And some tragedy, too.
Due to its geography and location, Hilo has been the site of a few major disasters throughout its history - the April 1, 1946 tsunami that resulted from a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in the Aleutian Islands claimed 160 lives. In response, an early detection and warning system was put in place three years later and resulted in only 61 deaths in the 1960 tsunami. Housed in a bank building that barely survived the last tsunami that hit the Big Island is the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Though the museum is a tourist destination, staff members strive to educate Hilo’s inhabitants about tsunami preparedness.
Hilo is no stranger to natural beauty.
The city is home not only to the breathtaking Hilo Bay, but also the stunning Wailuku State Park, which includes two stunning natural marvels: Rainbow Falls and the Boiling Pots. Oh, and you can’t forget about the gorgeous Kaumana Cave, or a visit to the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo’s lush grounds.
But the weather is a bit more dreary than the rest of Hawaii.
With an average of 272 rainy days each year, Hilo is one of the state’s rainiest cities - but that just means it will never be overrun with tourists and will keep its charm. And, if we’re being honest, the rain is a nice respite from the constant sunny weather found elsewhere in Hawaii.
Ready for another trip to the past? If you're interested in some of the best small towns to visit in Hawaii, be sure to check out these 12 historic towns.
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