About The Island Of Hawaiʻi - UH Hilo

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Hilo and the Big Island

A snow-capped Maunakea can be seen from the beautiful Hilo Bay

Papakolea (Green Sand Beach) gets its name from the olivine mineral in the sand

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is situated on the island of Hawaiʻi, the largest in the Hawaiian Archipelago. With an area of 4,060 square miles, it has more land than all the other Hawaiian islands combined. With its great variety of physical features, including peaks that are snowcapped in winter, pasture lands, sugarcane fields, active volcanoes, and rain-swept valleys, the Big Island of Hawaiʻi has been described as a tropical mini-continent. Located in the Pacific Ocean, Hawaiʻi Island is almost 2,500 miles from the mainland U.S.A. Its marine environment, geological diversity and cultural richness are valuable and well utilized educational resources by the faculty and administration.

The island’s economy is centered largely on agriculture and tourism. Hilo, which has a major harbor and airport, is a peaceful city with a population of 43,000. It is located 200 air miles from Honolulu, Hawaiʻi’s state capital. Kailua-Kona, on the western side of Hawaiʻi Island, is one of the fastest growing population centers in the State. Its airport with direct service to the mainland, world-class resorts and golfing, deep-sea fishing and historic landmarks make this an ideal setting for the University’s West Hawaiʻi center. Hilo and Kailua-Kona provide a full range of medical, social and community services.

Disclaimer: The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is not responsible for the contents, links and/or materials presented in the web sites listed below. Links here do not indicate official endorsement. All comments, complaints and grievances should be filed with the author and/or owner of said site.

Big Island Resources

• Big Island Visitor’s Bureau
• National Weather Service Forecast for Hilo, Hawaiʻi
• County of Hawaiʻi
• Bus Schedule to UH Hilo Campus

Points of Interest

Arts and Entertainment

• Hawaiʻi Tropical Botanical Garden
• The East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center/Hawaiʻi Museum of Contemporary Art
• ʻImiloa Astronomy Center
• Lyman Museum
• Panaʻewa Rain Forest Zoo
• Wailoa Art Center/Tsunami Museum

East Hawaiʻi Shopping Centers

• Prince Kūhiō Plaza Corner of Kanoelehua/Puainako streets (64 stores including Macy’s and Sears). Safeway, Target, Walmart, Ross, Office Max, and Walgreens are all across the street.
• Puainako Town Center Between corners of Puainako/Kanoelehua and Puainako/Kīlauea streets. “Fast Food Heaven.”
• Hilo Shopping Center Corner of Kīlauea/Kekūanaōʻa streets.

Natural Attractions

• ʻAkaka Falls State Park
• Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area (West Hawaiʻi)
• Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
• Wailoa River State Recreation Area, including Liliʻuokalani Japanese Garden and Moku Ola (Coconut Island)
• Nani Mau Gardens
• Wailuku State Park, including Rainbow Falls

Theatres

• Hilo movie listings; Kona movie listings
• Regal Makalapua Stadium 10 (Kailua-Kona)
• Regal Prince Kūhiō 9 (Hilo)
• Regal Theatres Keauhou 7 (Keauhou-Kona)

Shopping

• Big Island Candies
• Hilo Farmers Market (Wednesdays and Saturdays in Downtown Hilo)
• Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory
• Suisan Fish Market (6:00 am)

Also

• Visit the luxurious resorts on the western side of the island
• Enjoy fun in the sun on any of the beaches scattered around the island

← Future Students and Families

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• Admissions
• UH Hilo at a Glance
• UH Hilo Student Journeys
• Schedule a Campus Visit
• Chancellor's Welcome

• About the Island of Hawaiʻi

• Public Bus Schedule

Contact Admissions [email protected] +1 (808) 932-7446 or 1-800-897-4456 (808) 932-7459 Like Admissions on Facebook Admissions on Instagram Follow Admissions on Twitter Student Services Center (SSC), Room E-101 Admissions Website Mail:AdmissionsUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Hilo200 W. Kāwili St.Hilo, HI 96720-4091

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