Hilo is our favorite little city in the world. Hilo is, to us, the essence of Aloha as well as that of Hawaii. The people are gentle and friendly, and life moves at a pace that's comfortable and easy-going. Hilo is rich in the heritage of these islands, and it shows in daily life here as well as in the varied and frequent cultural events.

Hilo is a city where everyone is a minority. The ethnic mix is delightful, everyone gets along, there is respect among all of the different cultures, and what matters here is what's in your heart, not the color of your skin.

Even the Hilo International Airport is special--it's small, friendly, casual, the rental cars are right there at the terminal, there is no shuttle because there is no need for one, and at times there is absolutely nothing happening there. Now, this is probably not what makes the Visitor's Bureau happy, but it sure makes for a user-friendly airport!

Hilo is a city of parks. The highway running along the edge of beautiful Hilo Bay is lined with parks on both sides. There are often soccer games or other sports activities going on there, and there are picnic areas and even a pavilion in which there you'll see all sorts of musical events. There are canoe sheds filled with exotic craft used by canoe clubs and cultural events, and the frequent canoe-paddling practice sessions makes the Bay even more picturesque.

Liliuokalani Gardens is a formal Japanese garden park off of scenic Banyan Drive. There are small bridges over some of the quiet ponds, pagodas, stone lanterns, and an ambiance that is distinctly inviting. Nearby is Coconut Island, yet another park and this one is accessible by footbridge. This small island is the home of some unique Hawaiian cultural events and is commonly used for weddings and other gatherings. All of these places provide a very relaxing atmosphere for a day's meandering.

Banyan Drive is where most of Hilo's hotels are located, and the drive is worthwhile even if you're not looking for lodging! Alongside the curving road are some huge banyan trees, planted many years ago by celebrities who's names appear on plaques at the foot of each tree. Among them are such notables as Richard Nixon, Amelia Earhart, and others. At one end of the drive is an inlet from the Bay where many small sailing boats are moored. There's a white sand beach there, too, and hardly ever more than a few people!

If you're not yet tired of parks, drive out Kalanianaole Avenue about four miles to the end, and all along that ride you'll see the most inviting small parks on the ocean side. In many, you'll see lots of children playing in the shallow, crystal-clear tide-pools, while the older and more adventuresome are out playing in the surf beyond. All over there are picnic areas, pavilions and other park facilities. Near the end of the road is Richardson Beach Park, and here it's definitely worth your while to get out of your car and take a walk. The ocean vistas are awesome, and the park itself is beautiful.

If this is starting to sound like a travel-guide sponsored by the Hilo Chamber of Commerce, it's only because of our never-ending enthusiasm for our favorite little city.

Hilo is home to the Hilo Campus of the University of Hawaii and Hawaii Junior College. The University Theater presents all sorts of incredible performances throughout the year. The newly- restored Palace Theater in the Old Downtown area also features old and art films as well as stage plays. There are several fine art galleries, and all sorts of outlets for every conceivable kind of artistic endeavor.

Our little City is also home to some exceptional dining establishments, some of which feature live music most nights. And of course the hotels have regular dining extravaganzas, complete with Hawaiian (and sometimes Tahitian) music and dance performances. Although these are intended for the tourist trade, a lot of us who live here take advantage of the fun on occasion, too.

There is a gentle, almost turn-of-the-century quality to Hilo. The Old Downtown area is being slowly restored as funds become available and is looking better every year. There are old stores that will bring back warm, nostalgic feelings to many, and right along with them are coffee houses where you can go have an excellent espresso. There are mom-and-pop stores that have been in the same families for generations, and lots of new small businesses, too. Hilo is a city of variety. It's a place where families live, work and raise their children. It really is unlike any other city or town in Hawaii, in that the few tourists who mingle in with the residents are just people who seem to fit in, as opposed to some of the heavily touristed places where the tourist crush seems to be overwhelming at times. Nobody is in a hurry in Hilo; everybody has time to be courteous and thoughtful. A traffic jam is three cars at a signal, and the only time you'll ever hear a car horn is when somebody is saying "hello!"

The nights in Hilo are wonderful, too. The air is sweet and warm, the lights are soft and gentle, and the pace is even slower than during the day. Once each year, Hilo has it's annual Ho-olau- lea (party), where several blocks of the Old Downtown area are closed to traffic and there's just one big, gala street party! There are three music stages with live bands going on all night long, food booths line the streets for blocks, and there are a few thousand happy people walking, talking, and dancing the night away. There's even one of those old-timey giant searchlights with a beam that pierces the sky, like some theaters had back in the olden days. Are you old enough to remember those?

Hilo is about a forty minute drive from Kapoho and we go there once or twice a week for one thing or another. We always look forward to our trips to Hilo and usually take in a nice lunch at one of our favorite places. Hardly a time goes by when we aren't reminded of our good fortune to be living here and have this lovely, tropical, warm and friendly city nearby.

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