Essentials
- City
- Hilo, Hawaii County, Big Island, Hawaii, USA
- Population
- 45,000
- Internet Speed
- Spectrum Fiber/Hawaiian Telcom (up to 1 Gbps), typical 200 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar ($). Local banks: First Hawaiian Bank, Bank of Hawaii
- Tap Water
- Drinkable (Highly rated municipal water)
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T. Prepaid plans ~$40-60/month
- Banking for Expats
- Wise, Revolut, Charles Schwab (for US residents)
- Accommodation
- Short-term: Airbnb, VRBO. Long-term: Craigslist, local property managers like Day-Lum
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, credit cards accepted nearly everywhere; farmers markets prefer cash
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO (Prices range $120 - $250/night)
- Budget Accommodation
- The Big Island Hostel ($45/dorm, $85/private), Hilo Bay Hostel
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Hilo Bayfront / Banyan Drive (close to Liliuokalani Gardens)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Kaumana (cooler, quieter) or Downtown Hilo (walkable to cafes)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- HI-Impact Hilo ($25/day, $250/month), located on Kilauea Ave
- Best Cafe for Work
- The Booch Bar (Bayfront), Starbucks (Prince Kuhio Plaza), Just出 (Hutch) Cafe
- Networking Events
- Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce monthly events, Rotary Club of Hilo
- Social Events for Expats
- Hilo Town Market (Fridays), Meetup.com 'Hilo Social' groups
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber, Lyft (limited availability at night), Hilo Taxi ($25-40 for local trips)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Hibi-Bikes (Bike share stations Downtown), Mid Pacific Rentals
- Best Beach Nearby
- Carlsmith Beach Park (Keaukaha), Richardsons Ocean Park (black sand)
- Top Regional Airline
- Hawaiian Airlines, Mokulele Airlines
- Top International Airline
- United, American, Delta (direct flights to LAX/SEA/SFO)
- Highway Access
- Highway 11 (South to Volcano), Highway 19 (North to Kona/Waimea)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Hele-On Bus Terminal (Mo’oheau Bus Terminal, Bayfront)
- Public Transport Passes
- Hele-On Bus (Currently fare-free/subsidized through 2026)
- Regional Travel
- Inter-island flights via Hilo International (ITO) or bus to Kona ($0-$2)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hilo Medical Center (1190 Waianuenue Ave)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Centered ($20 drop-in), Big Island Yoga Center
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Penn Fitness Centers ($15 day pass), Planet Fitness
- Laundry Services
- Hilo Laundromat (811 Kanoelehua Ave), Sunshine Laundromat
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- DoorDash, Express Waiters (local delivery service)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Loco Moco (Café 100 - $8-12), Poke (Suisan Fish Market - $15-22)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Conscious Culture Cafe, Vibe Cafe
- Best Dessert Spots
- Two Ladies Kitchen (Mochi), Big Island Candies (Shortbread)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Hilo Farmers Market (Wednesday/Saturday), Target, KTA Super Stores
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (Prime takes 3-7 days to Hawaii), Walmart.com
- Grocery Delivery
- Instacart (Safeway, Target)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Bayfront Downtown Hilo (Hilo Town Tavern, Ola Brew Co.)
- Local Brewery
- Ola Brew Co. (Taproom on Terrace Drive)
- Wine Bars
- The Blues & Chartreuse (Downtown)
- Street Food Stalls
- Hilo Farmers Market food section, various food trucks on Kawili St
- Popular International Cuisine
- Miyo's (Japanese), Puka Puka Kitchen (Fusion)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Rainbow Falls (Wailuku River State Park), Kaumana Caves
- Museums & Art Venues
- Lyman Museum & Mission House, Imiloa Astronomy Center
- Historical Sites
- Pacific Tsunami Museum, Palace Theater
- Religious Sites
- Haili Church, Hilo Hongwanji Mission
- Annual Events
- Merrie Monarch Festival (Hula competition - April), Hilo Town Market
- Cultural Districts
- Downtown Hilo Waterfront
- Theater Venues
- Palace Theater (1925 historic venue)
- Local Markets
- Hilo Farmers Market (Corner of Mamo St & Bayfront)
- Music Scene
- Hilo Town Tavern (Live bands), Palace Theater concerts
- Street Art
- Murals along Kamehameha Ave and Kilauea Ave
- Cooking Classes
- Hawaii Community College culinary events/workshops
- Art Galleries
- Wailoa Center, Extreme Exposure Fine Art Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- District Courthouse and Police Station, Federal Building
- Local Heritage
- Native Hawaiian culture, sugar plantation history
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Akaka Falls State Park ($5 entry), Onomea Bay Trail
- National Parks Nearby
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (45 mins away - $30 per car)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Banyan Drive Loop, Bayfront Trail
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Honoli’i Beach Park (Surfer lookout), Boiling Pots
- Birdwatching Locations
- Wailoa River State Park, Saddle Road (Palila Forest Discovery Trail)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Generally discouraged on beaches; check County permit requirements
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- USPS (most reliable for PO Boxes), FedEx, UPS
- Tech Repair Services
- The Computer Repair Shop Hilo, iPhone Repair Hilo
- Table Tennis Spots
- Ben Franklin Crafts (community tables), Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium (events)
- Language Classes
- University of Hawaii at Hilo (Hawaiian language programs)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Hilo Public Library (300 Waianuenue Ave)
- Community Centers
- Aupuni Center, Hilo Armory
- Gaming Lounges
- Gamestop (Retail only), local university student lounges
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Hawaii (No casinos)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,300 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $172,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $120,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $240,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $168,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $304,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $200,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 21% Federal + Hawaii State Corporate Tax (approx 4.4% to 6.4%)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Generally 0% to 30% depending on residency and treaties
- Tax System
- US Federal and State (Hawaii) income tax system
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% Federal + 11% Hawaii State
- VAT
- 0% VAT (Hawaii uses General Excise Tax / GET of ~4.166% - 4.712%)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, US GILTI and Subpart F rules apply
- Property Tax
- Yes, based on assessed value (~0.6% - 1.1% depending on usage)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Conveyance tax scale (approx 0.10% to 1.25% of sale price)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific digital nomad tax breaks; high state income tax