October 18, 2024 - Hilo, Hawaii

Our information on this port reads. 

Water and fire reign here: This is a land of verdant rain forests bisected by sparkling falls. But the fiery element flares along the volcanic coast of Kohala and the roaring furnace of the Kilauea volcano: Lava has continued to seep from the crater since its last eruption in 1983.

Nature is Hilo's blessing, as well as its challenge. The beautiful crescent bay served as a funnel to two major tsunamis that battered the city—tragedies that are never forgotten and hopefully never repeated. (Hilo's Pacific Tsunami Museum remains a leader in safety education.)

Once a busy fishing and farming area, Hilo blossomed into a commercial center for the sugarcane industry in the 1800s. Today’s town—its waterfront rebuilt since the last destructive wall of water in 1960—flourishes as a hub of galleries, independent shops, farmers markets and homegrown destination restaurants. A world-class astronomy center has joined this mix, underlining the awe unfolding through the telescopes atop Mauna Kea (the world's tallest peak from base to summit, outstripping Everest by 1,363 meters, or 4,472 feet!). Meanwhile, leafy Banyan Drive celebrates more earthbound stars with its arboreal Walk of Fame. Look up, look down: Wherever you glance, Hilo looks good. 

If you have followed us over the past little while, we have visited this port several times with the most recent visit only a year or so ago. Given the last time we had a car rental with another couple where we covered a lot of ground, including drives throughout Volcano National Park. So this visit, we just stayed close to town walking to the Japanese Gardens and then taking an Uber to the Farmers Market and checking out many of the local stores in the area. Pro tip - Uber is here and is reasonable (10.00 to the market) but even better is the bus which is free. My recommendation would be to walk out the gate to the main road and the bus stop and take the free bus to the Banyan tree stop in the Japanese Garden, get off and spend an hour there then get back on the bus and take it to the Farmers Market (the last stop on the line). From here take an Uber to the sights you may want to see, Ie. Rainbow Falls is relatively close by. Just a suggestion.

Back on ship they had a little fun carnival game midway kind of thing as we sailed away, lots of fun. We are now into our final crossing to Seattle, currently day 2 of 5 as I write this. These 5 days will go fast…

A few pics of our time in Hilo, hope you enjoy…

My breakfast crew, Left to right, Jackie, Mildred and Joey… Always greeting me with a smile.

Sights on the way to the Japanese garden about 1.5 klms from the port.































































Rather large avocados.





We say goodbye to Hawaii and our last port of this adventure.









Never give up on a Hawaiian Sunset.

Amazing violinist guest entertainer.