IN TOWN:

Hilo Farmer's Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays (shown on Emeril's Luau show), features flowers and produce, but also has crafts and quality souvenirs

Old Town Shops along Kamehameha Avenue

Basically Books and things Hawaiian www.basicallybooks.com excellent source

Pacific Tsunami Museum www.tsunami.org

Lyman Museum, many Polynesian artifacts, rock and mineral collections

University of Hawaii at Hilo is on the hillside above the bay

Rainbow Falls (4 miles), Boiling Pots (5 miles), Kaumana Cave (6 miles)

Queen Lili'uoklani Gardens (30 acres of gardens with fishponds, gazebos, bridges and spectacular view of Hilo and Mauna Kea) and Coconut Island (4 miles), King Kamehameha Statue (3 miles),

Richardson Beach (7 miles) lifeguards

Uncle Billy's for the only live Hawaiian entertainment in Hilo, (seven days, 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm), cocktails and dinner

Many restaurants -- broad selection of international cuisines

And the usual shopping suspects: Longs, Wal-mart, Macy's, Sears, Safeway, Hilo Hattie, Border's.

ON THE WAY TO VOLCANO:

Panaewa Rain Forest Zoo

Mauna Loa Macadamia Farms and Factory

Side trip to Puna, Kapoho pools, Lava Tree Park

Volcano is 30 miles from us, so it can make for an excellent daytrip. There are two films shown at the Visitor's Center and last showing is 3:00 pm - they close around 5:00pm. However, the park is open 24/7 for hiking down to view the lava flow. Elevation is 4000 feet at the Visitor's Center.

ON THE HAMAKUA COAST:

40 miles between Hilo and Honoka'a

Honoli'i Beach (2 miles) lifeguards

Hawaiian Tropical Botanical Gardens (3 miles) rave reviews

Onomea Beach and scenic drive (3 miles)

Akaka Falls (13 miles) 420 ft waterfall amid magnificent rainforest

Honomu (13 miles) wonderful small shops and double ginger ice cream! yum yum!

Numerous falls and parks along this 40 miles

Laupahoehoe Train Museum (25 miles)

Rain?  NO RAIN   NO RAINBOWS  besides, it's warm!