Hilo, << HEE loh >> (pop. 44,186) is the largest city and chief port on the island of Hawaii. It lies on Hilo Bay, on the east side of the island. For the monthly weather in Hilo, see Hawaii (Climate) .
Hilo is the seat of Hawaii County and the home of a campus of the University of Hawaii, also spelled University of Hawai‘i. The city exports flowers and nursery products, ginger, guava, macadamia nuts, and papaya. Hilo is the center of Hawaii’s orchid-growing and flower-packaging industries. Hilo lies near Kilauea, a volcano in Hawaii (also spelled Hawai’i) Volcanoes National Park. Kilauea is one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
Polynesians settled in the Hilo area thousands of years ago. European missionaries settled there in 1824. After severe damage from a tsunami (series of huge, destructive waves) in 1946 and again in 1960, much of the city frontage was rebuilt farther inland.
