The Hawai‘i Island capital, this beautiful town on the shore of crescent-shaped Hilo Bay sits on the island's eastern side. With its lush tropical surroundings, historic charm, laid-back rhythms and close proximity to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (about 30 miles away), Hilo would presumably be a tourist hot spot brimming with resorts and condos. Not so. And the reason can be summed up in one soggy word: rain. It falls here in abundance (about 130 inches per year), and most visitors unwilling to chance a vacation rainout stick to the sunny Kona coast instead. Learn More...