Hilo HI

Hilo port, only a few minutes from town, receives cruise ships. Cruise passengers are often welcomed with a show arranged for their arrival, featuring traditional Hawaiian music and dancing, as well as souvenir sales. The gangway ramp is 2 miles from the town centre.

Walking is possible, although part of the route passes through industrial areas and can be hot, or wet in rainy weather, with little shade or shelter. It is a little over 2 miles each way, so walkers should bring a hat or umbrella and wear sunscreen.

The County Mass Transit service, known as the "Hele On Bus", can be boarded on Kalanianaole St. just outside the dock's main entrance. This $1.00 bus is marked "Keaukaha" and also stops across the street by the green building beside Keaukaha Market. Remain on board until the final stop, Mooheau Bus Station in Downtown Hilo. Market morning pickups are 7:50, 8:50, 9:50 and 10:50; afternoon times are 1:25, 2:25 and 3,25. There are no buses on Sunday.

From the dock to Downtown, a metered taxi should cost no more than about $12 - $15.

Bring a printable map with you.

Set on Hilo Bay's crescent-shaped shore, this attractive port is a tropical greenhouse of lush plants and plentiful waterfalls. Hilo provides the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, a natural wonderland containing the vast Kilauea Crater, the world's most active volcano and home of the Hawaiian fire goddess Pele. Snow-capped Mauna Kea and Kilauea Crater rise dramatically above the island of Hawaii.

Downtown Hilo has Hawaii's largest collection of historic buildings, many dating from the turn of the century. Restaurants, museums, a rain forest zoo and beautiful Nani Mau Gardens all offer places to explore. Outside the city, photogenic countryside includes waterfalls tumbling down hillsides and rainbows lighting the dense vegetation. Much of the rain falls in late afternoons, keeping the landscape intensely green. Local volcanic beaches have jet-black sand, set against white spray and glassy blue water: Hilo is a colourful kaleidoscope…

On every ship-call day, the free Hilo Hula Days: 100 Days of Aloha by the Bay offers Hawaiian music, hula and crafts at the Mooheau Bandstand beside the station from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Public buses serve downtown Hilo. The walk there is about 2.5 miles, taking roughly 50 minutes. Buses, which do not run Sundays, cost $1.00 and are free for seniors 55 and above; a port-to-Downtown Hilo taxi is about $12-16.

The University of Hawaii offers a free self-guided botanical-garden tour. This hidden gem has a vast plant collection, including bromeliads, palms and cyads.

Hilo is Hawaii's second largest city and is very walkable.

At Hawai?i Volcanoes National Park, the Hawaiian Island story of volcanism, migration and evolution stretches back at least 70 million years.

A stroll along the Bay front and a visit to the quaint Kamehameha Avenue shops make for enjoyable browsing and shopping. Hilo also has many shops selling exceptionally high-quality locally printed fabrics in Polynesian or Hawaiian designs, plus other shops offering clothing made from those beautiful fabrics. Many stores close on Sunday.

Every Wednesday and Saturday, Hilo Farmer's Market has an abundance of fresh produce, things to snack on and native crafts. Visitors can use a free shuttle.

Hilo uses the United States dollar (symbol: $), the official U.S. currency; ATMs are everywhere.

Visa, MasterCard and other major credit cards are widely accepted, even for purchases of only a few dollars; sometimes they may be the sole way to pay. Overseas visitors should remember that displayed prices can appear low because taxes and gratuities are rarely included.

Sales tax applies in most states, from 2.9% to nearly 10% of the retail price, with 4-6% typical. It is almost never included in the posted price, apart from gasoline and, in most states, alcoholic beverages consumed on-premises; it is calculated and added at payment.

Tipping is widespread and expected in America. Americans may debate who should receive a tip and at what level, but common standard rates include:

• Full-service restaurants: 15-20%. This is often a wait(ress)'s only income; tips can be left in cash or added to the credit-card slip. Few restaurants add an automatic service charge, so check the bill and decide any extra tip yourself.
• Taxi drivers, hairdressers and other personal services: 10-15%.
• Bartenders: an inexpensive drink calls for $1; use 15% for the overall total.
• Bellhops: $1-2 per bag, with a $3-5 minimum regardless.
• Hotel doorman: give $1 for each bag they assist with and $1 when they call a cab.
• Tour guides: according to tour length, group size and overall quality; $5-10 per person for half day tours or less, and $10-20 per person for longer tours.
• Private car & limousine drivers: a 15-20% tip is customary.
• Housekeeping in hotels: $1-2 a day for long stays, or a $5 minimum for very short stays; optional.
• Food delivery, including pizza: $2-5, potentially more for very large orders.

There is no official U.S. language at federal level, although English is overwhelmingly the everyday standard and several states name it their official state language. Spanish is also official and widely spoken in New Mexico; French is official in Louisiana and Hawaiian in Hawaii, but neither is used close to as much as English, and their official status is mainly historical.

For emergencies, dial 911.

Sunday is a closing day for most stores.