Hilo High School
The first high school on the Big Island opened in 1908. Students wanting a higher education had to travel to Oahu until the principle of Hilo Union School opened a high school on the Hilo Union property in 1905. In 1906, it moved to another location. In 1923, the school was built in its present location on Waianuenue Avenue.
The first high school on the Big Island opened in 1908. Students wanting a higher education had to travel to Oahu until the principle of Hilo Union School opened a high school on the Hilo Union property in 1905. In 1906, it moved to another location. In 1923, the school was built in its present location on Waianuenue Avenue.
Hilo Intermediate School
Hilo Intermediate School was once called Hilo Junior High School until in moved in 1923. The current buildings were built and opened in 1929. Kalo irrigation streams still run under the school's site into Wailuku River.
Hilo Intermediate School was once called Hilo Junior High School until in moved in 1923. The current buildings were built and opened in 1929. Kalo irrigation streams still run under the school's site into Wailuku River.
Hilo Hotel
The Hilo Hotel was built in 1884 with 10 rooms and 2 baths. George Lycurgus came to Hawaii from Greece in 1889 and bought the Hotel in 1909. He built a new Hotel with "a shower and bath for every room!" Many well known people from around the islands have stayed there including King Kalakaua. Laupahoehoe Train Museum
The Hilo Hotel was built in 1884 with 10 rooms and 2 baths. George Lycurgus came to Hawaii from Greece in 1889 and bought the Hotel in 1909. He built a new Hotel with "a shower and bath for every room!" Many well known people from around the islands have stayed there including King Kalakaua. Laupahoehoe Train Museum
Haili Church
Haili Church was first a thatched grass building holding over 1000 people. It was the first church of Hilo's Christian Mission Station. The timber was transported from Upper Waiakea forest while traditional chanting was done. The King's workmen started building the current building in the mid 1850's. Hawai'i State Archives
Haili Church was first a thatched grass building holding over 1000 people. It was the first church of Hilo's Christian Mission Station. The timber was transported from Upper Waiakea forest while traditional chanting was done. The King's workmen started building the current building in the mid 1850's. Hawai'i State Archives
Hilo Library/Kulana Na'auao
Hilo Library was created by a private group called the Hawaii Reading Association in 1880. Later in 1899 the Library was located in a small church building. Finally it was moved to, Kulana Na'auao, pictured here. This building now houses government offices. The library was moved to Waianuenue Avenue, a street above. Lyman Museum
Hilo Library was created by a private group called the Hawaii Reading Association in 1880. Later in 1899 the Library was located in a small church building. Finally it was moved to, Kulana Na'auao, pictured here. This building now houses government offices. The library was moved to Waianuenue Avenue, a street above. Lyman Museum
Kress Building
The Kress building, built in 1932 and pictured after the 1946 tsunami, housed Hilo's popular five-and-dime store until 1980. U.S. Senator Hiram Fong purchased the structure in 1990 in order to restore the historic building, the only remaining Kress building in the nation. Currently the Kress building houses Connections school, a movie theater, and an Indian Restaurant. Pacific Tsunami Museum
The Kress building, built in 1932 and pictured after the 1946 tsunami, housed Hilo's popular five-and-dime store until 1980. U.S. Senator Hiram Fong purchased the structure in 1990 in order to restore the historic building, the only remaining Kress building in the nation. Currently the Kress building houses Connections school, a movie theater, and an Indian Restaurant. Pacific Tsunami Museum
Palace Theatre
From the early 1930s through the mid-1950s, scores of Hilo kids, like those in this 1933 photo, attended Palace Theatre's "Mickey Mouse Club" hosted by musician Johnny De Mello. Lyman Museum
From the early 1930s through the mid-1950s, scores of Hilo kids, like those in this 1933 photo, attended Palace Theatre's "Mickey Mouse Club" hosted by musician Johnny De Mello. Lyman Museum
Federal Building
The federal building, located across Waianuenue Avenue from Kalakaua Park, was designed by architect Henry Whitfield in the Classical Revival style. Its original structure was built in 1915 and its two U-shaped wings were added in 1936. Today, it houses government offices including the downtown branch of the post office. The building's site was originally the home of Luther Severance, the first postmaster, who held the job for 33 years. Hawaii State Archives
The federal building, located across Waianuenue Avenue from Kalakaua Park, was designed by architect Henry Whitfield in the Classical Revival style. Its original structure was built in 1915 and its two U-shaped wings were added in 1936. Today, it houses government offices including the downtown branch of the post office. The building's site was originally the home of Luther Severance, the first postmaster, who held the job for 33 years. Hawaii State Archives
Police Station and Hilo Courthouse
Formerly the courthouse and police station, dedicated in 1932, now houses East Hawaii Cultural center. County engineer Frank Arakawa, a Stanford University graduate who was in the first graduating class of Hilo High School, designed it in the style of a Hawaiian grass house of the mid-1800s, when foreign influences brought higher doors, windows, and wood floors. Hilo's courtroom relocated when the State building was completed in 1969. The police department moved from the building in 1975. Pacific Tsunami Museum
Formerly the courthouse and police station, dedicated in 1932, now houses East Hawaii Cultural center. County engineer Frank Arakawa, a Stanford University graduate who was in the first graduating class of Hilo High School, designed it in the style of a Hawaiian grass house of the mid-1800s, when foreign influences brought higher doors, windows, and wood floors. Hilo's courtroom relocated when the State building was completed in 1969. The police department moved from the building in 1975. Pacific Tsunami Museum
H. Hackfeld & Co.
This block-long, two-story reinforced concrete building, built by H. Hackfeld in 1910 and now the Koehnen Building, is a local rendition of the Renaissance architectural style. Originally it housed H. Hackfeld Co., a whole-sale general merchandise operation that also encompassed a lumberyard and planning mill, contracting and plumbing departments, furniture making, and marine and fire insurance. During WWI the Germany company's assets were seized and the building was subsequently resold, first to American Factors and then to F.W. Koehnen. Koehnen's Collection
This block-long, two-story reinforced concrete building, built by H. Hackfeld in 1910 and now the Koehnen Building, is a local rendition of the Renaissance architectural style. Originally it housed H. Hackfeld Co., a whole-sale general merchandise operation that also encompassed a lumberyard and planning mill, contracting and plumbing departments, furniture making, and marine and fire insurance. During WWI the Germany company's assets were seized and the building was subsequently resold, first to American Factors and then to F.W. Koehnen. Koehnen's Collection
Burns Building
Originally built in 1913 to house three lower-level stores and upstairs rooming house, the carefully restored Burns Building at the corner of Waianuenue Avenue and Keawe Street, still offers rooms for rent upstairs, now as Hilo Bay Hostel. Back in 1913, the two-story wooden structure was a grand facility, with its wide wooden staircase leading to a second floor with wood wainscoting and 13-foot ceilings. Bishop Museum
Originally built in 1913 to house three lower-level stores and upstairs rooming house, the carefully restored Burns Building at the corner of Waianuenue Avenue and Keawe Street, still offers rooms for rent upstairs, now as Hilo Bay Hostel. Back in 1913, the two-story wooden structure was a grand facility, with its wide wooden staircase leading to a second floor with wood wainscoting and 13-foot ceilings. Bishop Museum