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featuring noted astronomers and astronauts, and an annual "AstroDay" occurs at the mall every spring.

More Museums

Downtown Hilo is home to a few more museums. The Lyman Mission House and Museum features exhibits on the natural and cultural history of Hawaii. The Pacific Tsunami museum offers information on tsunamis, and the effects of the 1946 and 1960 tsunamis that devastated Hilo. A memorial to tsunami victims stands in Wailoa River State Park by the Wailoa Center, which features arts and crafts exhibits. And the East Hawaii Cultural Center on Kalakaua Street downtown features both fine and performing arts. The Mokupapapa Discovery Center on the bayfront downtown, run by NOAA, provides information on the marine life of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, and sometimes features interesting evening talks.

25 miles north of Hilo, the Laupahoehoe Train Museum preserves the memory of railroads which once ran north and south of Hilo, transporting both sugar cane and passengers, prior to the tsunamis.

What else?

The world's most prestigious hula dance competition and exhibition, the Merrie Monarch Festival, in honor of King David Kalakaua, takes place every spring (late March or early April) in Hilo. Tickets go on sale the day after Christmas, and are typically gone before New Year's - but if you can get them, they're cheap! It's televised state-wide and DVDs are made available for sale.

During the summer, Kalakaua Park, across from the downtown post office, is the site of "Shakespeare in the Park" - nicknamed "Shakespeare in the Rain" due to Hilo's wet climate. Members of a local amateur Shakespeare troupe present a different production each summer.

Hilo's own marathon takes place each March, with a route that descends through coastal rainforests from north of town, then follows the bayfront through town and out past the beaches. Each July, Volcanoes National Park is the site of the off-road Wilderness Runs, some of the most difficult runs (up to marathon length) in the world. Numerous other running, cycling and multi-sport races are available throughout the year.

These are just a few of the many things you can do in and around Hilo. Remember, though, to leave time to just sit and watch the palm trees swaying in the gentle island breeze!

Learn more about this author, Dan Birchall.
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