Hacks for University of Hawaii at Hilo Students living in Hilo Part II

Welcome (back) to Hilo, UH Vulcans Part II.  This particular blog incorporates holidays as well

1.  Stargazing around Hilo (and just outside of Hilo) that are FREE!

• Moon Hill - Gosh how do I explain this.  It's just past Alae Cemetary Road and yeah....I'll find a way to GPS this bugga.
• Puna just past 4 corners, go straight instead of turn right for Wai Opae/Kapoho.  You'll find Kumukahi Light House and the best place to stargaze in Puna.

2. Best Spots to Watch Fireworks (without the crowd):

• Imiloa Parking Lot
• Various Points on the Puainako Road Extension
• At to top of Ponohawai and Komohana 
• Hilo Soccer Fields
• Same Moon Hill

3.  Holiday Events to look forward to (FREE):  

• Most holidays have Parades.  Fun to see but if you're just driving in town to shop, keep in mind you may get stuck behind a long line of floats and horses
• September Hilo KWXX Hoolaulea - Usually a Saturday late September 20 something.  This year it's being help on Saturday September 26, 2015

Just to give you an idea how big Hoolaulea is.  Did I mention it is FREE!

• Hawaii Island All Nations Powwow - There are a lot of people that are part Native American and they gather in late September to celebrate their culture
• Halloween - There's a tradition of Obake stories and ghost hunting.  A lot of times, we visit the so-called haunted places: Babies Cry, Hilo High School, etc.  Everyone here has their favorite spot

Old Hilo Memorial Hospital a.k.a Babies Cry -  Creepy as all hell...especially at night

• Black and White Night (Hilo Bay Front) - First Friday of November, all the shops will be open late and various music groups will be playing.

It's an old flyer but you get the picture. Very fun night but also very crowded.  Check the Downtown Improvement Association (DIA) Website for actual date every year.

 

• Black Friday Shopping - I'm not a huge shopper but those of you that are, you can wait in line from 2am at Prince Kuhio Plaza for the door buster at 6 or 7 when the mall opens for a chance to win a shopping spree and enjoy all the great sales.
• Red and White Night (Hilo Bay Front) - First Friday of December, similar deal as B&W Nite but a bit low key.
• FIRST FRIDAY EVERY MONTH - Hilo Bay Front Shops are open later and usually have events and food trucks.

4.  Check the local Calendar section of the Newspaper  (Some Events are FREE, Others not):

   I always stumble upon events that usually are not that well known.

• Tribune Herald: Event Calendar
• Big Island Now: Arts & Entertainment
• West Hawaii Today: Calendar

5.  Check out various Factories, Farms, and Gardens (NOT FREE):

• Nani Mau Garden
• Onomea Botanical Gardens
• Panaewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens (FREE!):  I'm a HUGE fan of their Petting Zoo on Saturdays 1:30-2:30pm                                                                                    
• I adopted these two to support the Enrichment Program within the Zoo since it's a free Zoo.  Jellybean is the cute Miniature Zebu and Jose is the Standoffish Llama (unfortunately, poor Jose just passed away. R.I.P)

BONUS:

I HIGHLY recommend going to the Zoo for the Christmas at the Zoo event.  It's one of the best things I did as part of their Enrichment Program.

X-Mas Photos

I also recommend Joining the Enrichment Program at the Zoo if you're a huge fan of animals or planning to work with animals for school/work.

Hacks for University of Hawaii at Hilo Students living in Hilo Part I

Welcome back to school, UH Hilo Vulcans!  A brand new semester and for many, a brand new home.
I will recommend you look up on Google and ask Siri where these places are because it's way too tiring to hyperlink EVERYTHING (don't forget to add Hilo to the name because these are common names)!  This is stuff that my group of friends and I did to to keep ourselves busy.

Here are just a few tips on Random things that'll help you survive the semester:

1.  What do I do in a town that essentially closes at 7pm?

• Go Sing Karaoke - Most of these places will give you free appetizers if you order a drink - definitely better than peanuts 

• Go Star Gazing on Mauna Kea at the Visitor Center - granted not Hilo but still something to do
• Go to the beach to watch the stars or have a picnic at night on a full moon: I recommend Carl Smith Beach Park
• Go and find all the porn shops and check them out - yeah, we were that bored

2.  I have the munchies, it's late and I don't know what's open after 11pm.  Try:

• Fast Food Joints: Mcy D's, Jack in the Box, Taco Bell, 7/11
• Supermarkets that close after 12
• Safeway closes after 12
• KTA closes at midnight
• Walmart closes at 1pm
• Ken's Pancake House - This on is a typical one but open 24/7
• Zippys - normally open until 11pm but 24/7 on Friday & Saturday 
• Kampai's Sake and Ramen - open 5pm to 1pm

3.  I'm craving a bit of ethnic food.  Where do I go?

If you want more info Click HERE.

• Thai
• Thai Smile
• Naung Mai Thai Kitchen
• Chiang Mai
• Tina's Garden Cafe

• Indian
• Kamana Kitchen - AMAZING Lunch Special
• Pakistani
• Akmal's Indian and Pakistani Kitchen
• Chinese
• Hilo Rice Noodle Soup
• 
  
• Vietnamese
• Pho Viet
• New Saigon
• Pho 808
• Hilo Rice Noodle Soup
• Yen's Cafe
• Japanese
• Takenoko
• Sakura Restaurant (on Kilauea St across from the County Buildings)
• Miyo's
• Kampai
• Kenichi Restaurant
• Greek (only Gyros)
• Pizza Ala Slice - This is the closest you'll get but their Gyro Dinner/Sandwich is amazing!
• Italian
• Cafe Concerto 

4.  Need something to do during the day?

• Volcano National Park (obviously)
• Mauna Kea just before Sunset
• Beaches along Kalanianaole Avenue 
• Carl Smith a.k.a. 4 Mile
• Richardson
• Onekahakaha
• Leleiwi
• Kings Landing
• Chocks
• Drangers
• Break Wall

• Go to Waterfalls
• Rainbow
• Akaka Falls
• Boiling Pots

5.  I need a quiet place to study and Starbuck EVERYWHERE is filled.

• My super secret spot I never shared with anyone (but now that I've graduated, I don't mind sharing)

UNCLE BILLY's Store - Kope International

It is the sweetest spot to get shit done!

Not only does this store/cafe have great ice cream for hot days, but you can also get some of the best loose leaf teas and sandwiches (I LOVE getting loose leaf bergamot (a.k.a. Earl Grey) tea and a Lox 'n Beagal)

They key is to go into the back room!

You walk through the main store, Past the Cash Register, Past the refrigerated section and into the back room that looks like it's for employees but REALLY it's an extra sitting room that is comfortable and best of all, QUIET.

It's the absolute best way to study and have time alone time.

BONUS:

If you're up for a hike and some beautiful waterfalls, check out my other ultra secret spot.

Also, now that I'm leaving the Island for an adventure soon, I don't mind sharing it with everyone :D
Granted over the years the word has gotten out and more and more students are going there but back when I used to go there, you'd get that place all to yourself.
To find it check out this blog.

If you want to check out different sites around the island, check out my board.

If you have any suggestions and want to add things for all the new residents in Hilo, Please leave a Comment!