Starting Over in Hilo, Hawaii

In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, thousands of miles from the western shores of North America lies a small city on the "Big Island". People relocating to Hilo, Hawaii will find a strong agricultural community wit a wealth of history and culture.

Hilo, which means "new moon," is growing with a population of 40,759 residents. U.S. Census figures show a 7.8% increase in the citizenry from 1990 to 2000. Located in the county of Hawaii, Hilo is the largest town on the "Big Island" of Hawaii. Over 27-hundred miles lies Los Angeles, California, definitely not a skip across the pond. In 2000, the median age of Hilo residents was 38.6 years, with 16.7% of the population aged 65 and older. The racial profile of the city finds a large Asian community of many nationalities (primarily Japanese) that made up 38.3% of the populous.

White Non-Hispanic citizens accounted for 15.9%, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders, 13.1%. Even the Hispanic races are well represented with 8.8% of the city's population.

The Black or African American race was less than a half-percent of all people.

Hilo is diverse in the number of cultures represented in this peaceful community. The mixed-race population includes Japanese, Polynesian, Filipino, Chinese, Puerto Rican, Portuguese, and Russian residents. According to U.S. Census figures in 2000, the annual income of the average household was $39,139, about 7% below the national average. Poverty was somewhat high at 17.1% of the population, compared with a U.S. rate of 12.4%. With Hilo's economic recovery, the job outlook has seen slow but steady improvement. Hawaii County unemployment rates had fallen below double-digit figures to 5.1% in late 2004. The most common areas of work for Hilo men were in construction at 11% of the labor pool. The most common industry for women at 19% of the female job force was education-related work. Hilo workers also had short commute times at an average of 17.8 minutes.

In recent years, Hilo has become a home for retirees and others escaping a fast-paced life. The city is less likely to attract tourists, but is steeped in culture and character. Despite rising housing prices, the tax burden in Hilo is low. The average real estate tax paid by homeowners in 2000 was $376. House values were above the state average at $153,800, according to U.S. Census statistics in 2000. Owners occupied nearly 61% of city homes. The average monthly housing costs for mortgaged homeowners was $1,147. Monthly rent averaged $528. There has been no high-rises or modern construction to detract from the community's natural beauty. However, Hilo is undergoing a transformation with some big development projects in recent years. One of the largest is the $28 million Mauna Kea Astronomy Education Center, located at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also has a $60 million research lab in the works.

A government and business center, Hilo serves as the hub for many area industries. An area designated as a Foreign Trade Zone is being used to attract businesses interested in relocating to Hilo. The diverse economy centers around agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, education, and government. Tourism has grown in recent years, due mostly to the preservation of local culture and the city's location near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Over 400,000 cruise ship visitors come ashore each year. People flocking to the volcano park can witness volcanic activity. Surrounded by dangerous but scenic mountains like Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, Hilo is closest to the one the most active volcanoes on earth. Less than 30 miles away, Mount Kilauea has destroyed some 200 homes since becoming active in 1983. Another concern for the city has been eruptions from Mauna Loa. Two tsunamis have besieged Hilo's shores, including a tidal wave that dragged half of town out to sea. A major part of the waterfront business district was destroyed in 1960 by another tidal wave. Precautions have since been taken, including the construction of a stone breakwater to protect the harbor.

One reason tourism has not been as busy for Hilo is its lack of beaches that attract vacationers. Another deterrent has been the amount of rainfall. An average of 134 inches of precipitation falls annually, making Hilo the rainiest city in the U.S. The rain usually occurs at night, keeping Hilo's soil rich for the growth of a variety of agricultural products like tropical flowers and fruit. The city seldom has temperatures above 90, while the lowest temperatures in winter hover in the mid-60s.