Hilo, Hawaii Island

Hilo is a tropical paradise. Experience Hilo's rain forest, snow-capped mountains and erupting lava on its journey to the sea.

The Big Island of Hawaii

Orchids, anthuriums, heliconia and birds of paradise embrace Hilo like a lei, creating a kaleidoscopic backdrop for Island adventures. This botanical Eden is crowned by snow-capped mountains and dazzling rainbows, and punctuated by countless waterfalls plunging from jagged, soaring cliffs.

Explore Hilo's tropical landscapes on an excursion to the waterfalls of Hilo or Hilo's world renowned Hawaii Botanical Tropical Garden.

In this land of amazing geographical diversity, an expedition to the snowcapped summit of Mauna Kea will take you on a journey through 12 of the world's 14 climate zones to the world's astronomical centre with 13 telescopes from 12 countries scanning the heavens.

But the Big Island's spirit is one not only of earth, but of fire. South of Hilo, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the domain of Pele, the mythical goddess who regularly sends rivers of lava flowing from Kilauea, one of the world's largest, most prolific volcanoes.

Witness the devastation caused by eruptions at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park where you can view a steaming crater or stroll inside a huge lava tube.

At day's end, as the Pride of America sails from Hilo on its way to Kona, you may be able to view the glowing, molten rivers of lava flowing from Kilauea Volcano.

According to local legend, when the Goddess Pele found a husband in Lohi'au - chief of the Hula He'iau of Kaua'i - she went to the Kilauea crater to prepare their home, sending her sister, Hi'iaka, to Kaua'i to retrieve him. Hi'iaka and Lohi'au fell in love. Pele in her volcanic wrath, turned Lohi'au to stone.