Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [224]
From the Hamakua Coast, Hwy 19 enters Hilo from the north, passes downtown, then meets Hwy 11 at the intersection with Banyan Dr. Hwy 11 goes south and is called Kanoelehua Ave in town; further south, it becomes the Hawai′i Belt Rd and leads to the Puna district, Hawai′i Volcanoes National Park and Ka′u. South of the airport, Kanoelehua Ave is lined with shopping malls; this is Hilo’S main retail district, complete with a Wal-Mart, a multiplex cinema and all the other big-box stores.
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INFORMATION
Bookstores
Basically Books (Map;961-0144, 800-903-6277; 160 Kamehameha Ave; 9am-5pm Mon-Sat, 11am-3:30pm Sun) One of the island’S best bookstores; carries the full range of Hawaiian titles, plus kids’ books, music, travel guides and topo maps.
Book Gallery (Map; 935-4943; 259 Keawe St; 9:30am-5pm Mon-Fri, 9:30am-3pm Sat) Also excellent; specializes in local press and Hawaiian titles and kids’ books.
Borders Books Music & Café (Map; 933-1410; Waiakea Center, 301 Maka’ala St; 9am-9pm) Full-service chain selling books, CDs, periodicals and Starbucks coffee.
Emergency
Police (Map; 935-3311; 349 Kapi′olani St) For nonemergencies.
Sexual Assault Hotline (935-0677)
Suicide Prevention Hotline (800-753-6879)
Internet Access
The public library is a great option if you need internet access.
Bytes & Bites (Map; 935-3520; www.bytesandbites.net; 179 Kilauea Ave; per 15min $2.50, per hr $8; 9:30am-9:30pm Mon-Fri, 10:30am-3:30pm Sat & Sun) Small downtown business center with terminals and wi-fi.
Library
Hilo Public library (Map; 933-8888; www.librarieshawaii.org; 300 Waianuenue Ave; 11am-7pm Tue & Wed, 9am-5pm Thu & Sat, 10am-5pm Fri) To use the free internet terminals or borrow books, purchase a three-month nonresident library card ($10). The pretty interior courtyard is a pleasant place to write and read.
Media
NEWSPAPERS
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald (www.hawaiitribune-herald.com) is the Big Island’S main daily newspaper.
RADIO
The vast majority of radio stations are based in Hilo, and, due to geography, they can be heard only on the island’S east side (though some simulcast on Kona stations). The website http://diallists.hawaiiradiotv.com/BigIsleRadio.html has complete listings.
KANO 91.1 FM (www.hawaiipublicradio.org) Hawai’i Public Radio featuring classical music and news.
KAPA 100.3 FM (www.kaparadio.com) The best for current Hawaiian music, and voted the best by Hawaii Island Journal.
KHBC 1060AM (www.khbcradio.com) Traditional Hawaiian and old-fashioned jazz; check out longtime DJ Mel ‘Mynah Bird Medeiros’ 6am to 10am Monday to Saturday.
KPVS 95.9 FM Native FM (previously Da Beat) plays island and reggae tunes.
Medical Services
Hilo Medical Center (Map; 974-4700, emergency room 974-6800; 1190 Waianuenue Ave; emergency 24hr) Located near Rainbow Falls.
KTA Super Store (Map; 959-8700; Puainako Town Center, 50 E Puainako St; pharmacy 8am-8pm Mon-Fri, to 6pm Sat, to 5pm Sun) For prescriptions.
Longs Drugs (Map; 935-3357, pharmacy 935-9075; 555 Kilauea Ave; pharmacy 7am-7pm Mon-Fri, to 6pm Sat, 8am-5pm Sun) General drugstore with pharmacy.
Money
All banks in Hilo have 24-hour ATMs.
Bank of Hawaii (Map) Kawili St (961-0681; 417 E Kawili St); Pauahi St (935-9701; 120 Pauahi St)
First Hawaiian Bank (Map; 969-2222; 120 Waianuenue Ave)
Post
Downtown post office (Map; 800-275-8777; 154 Waianuenue Ave; 9am-4pm Mon-Fri, 12:30-2pm Sat) Conveniently located in the Federal Building downtown.
Main post office (Map; 933-3019; 1299 Kekuanaoa St; 8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-12:30pm Sat) Holds general delivery mail.
Tourist Information
Big Island Visitors Bureau (Map; 961-5797, 800-648-2441; www.bigisland.org; 250 Keawe St; 8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri) Check the website for a detailed events calendar with links.
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SIGHTS
Hilo’S historic downtown is an evocative, sometimes urban mix of storm-lashed early-20th-century