世界の楽園ハワイ

ヒロの人口は、約45,000人（2005年調）です。ちなみに、1番大きな街は、ホノルルです。
Hilo is the largest town on the island of Hawaii and second largest in the State of Hawaii. Its population is approximately 45,000 (2005 estimate).

The derivation of the name "Hilo" is unclear. Some believe the name derives from the Hawaiian word for the first night of the new moon. Others believe that it is named for a famous ancient navigator. Still others feel Kamehameha I gave the town its name.


Hilo Hawaii Weather:ヒロの気候
Due to its location on the windward side of the Hawaii's Big Island, Hilo is one of the wettest towns in the world with an average rainfall of 129 inches. 島の風下側に位置するため、湿気の多い街であり、年間雨量も129インチ
となる。
On average, precipitation of more than .01 inches is measured 278 days of the year.気温も、冬場華氏70度で夏場華氏79度平均となります。
Temperatures average around 70°F in the winter and 75°F in the summer. Lows range from 63°F - 68°F and highs from 79°F - 84°F.



ヒロは、津波による被害の歴史もあり、将来の津波対策も行われている。
Hilo has a history of tsunamis. The worst in modern times occurred in 1946 and 1960. The town has taken extensive precautions to deal with future tsunamis.
Whenever potential visitors discuss Hilo the issue of the weather always plays an important part in the conversation.
ヒロは、雨が多いことは前述ですが、夜間の降雨が多く、昼間はあまり降雨はありません。
While Hilo definitely has a large amount of rain, much of it is at night. Most days have prolonged periods without rain.
A benefit of the rain is that the area is always lush, green and flowers abound. Despite the weather the people of Hilo are warm and friendly and the town retains much of the small town feel.


Ethnicity:
Hilo Hawaii has a highly diverse ethnic population. United States government census figures show that 17% of Hilo's population is White and 13% Native Hawaiian. A significant 38% of Hilo's residents are of Asian decent - primarily Japanese. Nearly 30% of its population classify themselves as being of two or more races.

1800年代に多くの日本人が移民として移住をして、サトウキビの生産に携わった。
Hilo's large Japanese population derives from the area's role as a large producer of sugar cane. Many Japanese came to the area to work on plantations in the late 1800s.




History of Hilo:ヒロの歴史
貿易港として一時栄えた、先住のハワイアンはワイルク川を横断して貿易を行った。
Hilo was a major center of trade in ancient Hawaii, where native Hawaiians came to trade with others across the Wailuku River.
西欧からの人々は、港を中心として1824年頃にキリスト教の布教を目的として
住みつくことになった。
Westerners were attracted by the bay which provided a safe harbor and missionaries settled in the town in 1824 bringing Christian influences.
サトウキビ産業を主要産業として栄え、ヒロは貿易港としての役割を持ち、その中心的
の存在となった。
As the sugar industry grew in the late 1800's, so did Hilo. It became the major center for shipping, shopping and weekend diversions.
Devastating tsunamis severely damaged the city in 1946 and 1960. Gradually the sugar industry died.

Today Hilo remains a major population center. The tourist trade has become important to the area's economy as many visitors stay in Hilo when they visit nearby Volcanoes National Park.

The University of Hawaii maintains a campus in Hilo with over 3,000 students. Like much of the eastern part of the Big Island, Hilo continues to suffer the economic consequences of the loss of the sugar industry.

Getting to Hilo:ヒロへの訪問
島内交通の要所としてヒロ国際空港があり、島内の多くの航空路を活用している。
Hilo Hawaii is home to Hilo International Airport which handles numerous inter-island flights each day.
ワイメアから高速道路で1時間15分、コナから高速道路で3時間位です。
The town can be reached from the north by Highway 19 from Waimea (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes). It can be reached from Kailua-Kona by Highway 11 around the southern part of the Big Island (approximately 3 hours).
More adventurous travelers take the Saddle Road which is a more direct route across the island between the islands two major mountains, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

Hilo Lodging:
Hilo has several moderately priced hotels located along Banyan Drive as well as several smaller hotels/motels downtown and a nice selection of bed & breakfasts and vacation rentals.

Hilo Dining:
Hilo has a nice selection of affordable restaurants. Among the best are Caf? Pesto, which features modern Italian cuisine with a Pacific-Rim influence.
Local favorite Harringtons offers steaks and seafood along with live Hawaiian music.
The Nihon Cultural Center on Banyan Drive has excellent Japanese food.