Avoid - Especially in medical field or education - 3/4/2023

If you’re looking at Hilo, then you’re likely being recruited in the medical or education fields. These are where the greatest needs of the community lie, and there are reasons why they are so desperate. I recommend that you avoid Hilo. There is a reason why turnover is so high in these fields in East Hawaii. It rains A LOT in Hilo, and the majority of buildings are covered in mildew and mold. Anti mainland sentiment is very high, as is local nepotism. There is some anti white racism, but the anti-American sentiment was more bothersome to us. For some reason, the anti-Micronesian racism is more prevalent than anti-white bias. Residents will be nice to your face, but will often undermine you through the vast “old boy network”. You won’t see the attacks coming, and there is little you can do to defend yourself. The residents will screw with you. They do it to all newcomers. This isn’t the Hawaii that you see on the travel channel. While it’s true that you are just 1.5 hours from the resort areas, the majority of your time will be spent in the overwhelming dreariness of Moldville. We love most of the state, and visit frequently. It’s possible that we will live somewhere in the state again. But, we would never consider going back to Hilo. It’s really that bad. You have been warned.

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Loved the Place - 10/22/2021

I enjoyed living in Hawaii County for a number of years, most in Hilo. While Hilo has problems, they are few compared to mainland USA. I never experienced racism by Native Hawaiians. The food is fresh and local and people are friendly and reach out. It does get more annual rainfall than anywhere on the planet, but drive or hop a bus and in 15 minutes you’re in a different climate zone. Over the years the cost of living has risen, but I would rather be poor on the Big Island than wealthy on the mainland. Wednesday and Saturday check out the Farmer’s Market downtown and the organic markets scattered around the island.

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Racist locals - 9/6/2021

Too much racism from "native Hawaiians" who aren't actually natives. That keeps me from living in that paradise. I'm this is the "natives" goal.

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A town that is in disrepair - 10/14/2019

I lived in Hilo many, many years. Nice, small town feel, even though it's the second largest city in the state. Prejudice against whites, well, it's Hawaii. It was MUCH worse on O'hau's North Shore. And it rains. A lot. So a lot of gray, rainy days. Like a friend said, we pay a price to live here. For me, the price became too high. The economy is all about tourism, such as it is, the college and state jobs. Good luck getting a university or state job if you're not Asian or a local. I once went to the state bldg to get a permit to stay in a cabin in one of the state parks. Everyone was nice enough, but when one of the locals came to visit a friend, this is what happened almost word for word. "Hey, good to see you brah! Let me show you around. This my auntie, this my cuz,....." And a lot more like that. So it is what it is. I made some great friends there, but the locals are not accepting of other cultures. I never, ever saw a couple where one of the locals had a haole or popola mate (white or black). Made some great friends there, but again, they were all of my race or black. The art scene is pretty cool, and I loved the Farmer's Market. The cost of everything is high, especially housing, and what you get for your money is not much. It's because people have been moving to the BI after being priced out of the other islands, and no new housing is being built. So it's a supply and demand thing. The politics will have you pulling your hair out. Just dumb decisions being made by incompetent people, IF there's a decision at all. It's all about putting things off as long as possible. The bus system is essentially broken beyond repair (as are most of the buses). They use a lot of old buses from other islands, and the remains of a tour company that went belly up. So again, it's the economy that's in a huge downturn. To make it worse, since the volcano meltdown the reduction in taxes being collected won't allow for much of anything new that's needed, yet they have increased taxes that the locals and tourists pay. Come visit, (do NOT swim in the rivers though due to bacteria and fertilizer run off), but I wouldn't recommend moving to Hilo. Crime has increased a lot over the years, and it's no different that any mainland city now.

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Beautiful Hilo, Hi - 4/24/2012

Hilo Hawaii is one of the beautiful locations in the world. With an average of over 100 inches a year and tropical climate it is stunning with green. Very old and small town it is easy to get to know and be known by the locals, which are to be respected for the love of family and land. During the summer, rain is primarily during the evening hours and gorgeous during the day. The unfortunate side is costs of living, based on the majority of food and fuel, and resources being shipped, it is on high side. Aloha, Hilograndpa

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Nice place to live - 10/18/2008

Actually I live in Japan now, but Hilo was a great place to live. Really laid back and local. The only thing is it rains a lot, but when the sun's out it's much more beautiful than Kona side. I have fond memories of Hilo, but the cost of real estate is ridiculous, even though it's more expensive in most other places throughout the state.

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Hele On County Buses - 1/6/2008

The bus system is free to ride on for the entire island! It is a great way to save money and to get places.

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A great small city - 12/19/2006

Hilo is on the move, as is the entire Big Island. But, for now, it remains a great small city to meet people and raise of family. Teenagers will be bored, claiming there is nothing to do. The rain will be a nuisance, at times. Considering the cost of living, good paying jobs are hard to find.

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Some good, some not so good - 6/17/2006

Great place to raise a family; relatively safe, most crime is property related. Small town type of atmosphere. SOme interesting international flavored (mostly Asia influence)cultural events. Not so great a place for those living the single life. Not many social venues, nor opportunities to meet. Beach scene is very limited, which is surprising for an island

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3 bedroom - 3/27/2006

the cost of a threebedroom house .ahow hard is it to find them?

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