Hilo (rentals, crime, living in)

[colldp68]

Hello! I am new to this forum site and have been doing research on the Hilo area. I plan on living in Hilo next year and have some questions that I have not found answers to yet. Here are the questions. Feel free to leave any additional comments as well!


Are there any white sand beaches near Hilo or along the Hamakua Coast?
Approximately how far is Hapuna Beach from Hilo?
How is the crime there?
Is it true about white mainland having a hard time fitting in?
I know it rains a lot, but does it rain all day, every day?
How is the surfing around the Hilo area?

Thanks !
Dan

[Paniolo Cowgirl]

Originally Posted by colldp68

Are there any white sand beaches near Hilo or along the Hamakua Coast?
Approximately how far is Hapuna Beach from Hilo?
How is the crime there?
Is it true about white mainland having a hard time fitting in?
I know it rains a lot, but does it rain all day, every day?
How is the surfing around the Hilo area?

Thanks !
Dan

White sand beaches - the only one I know of the Onekahakaha beach in Hilo. It is a locals beach.

Hapuna is about 60 miles from Hilo. It is known for it's rip currents so be careful.

If you're laid back and nice, you shouldn't have any problem fitting in.

It rains almost every day. But not all day.

[Sorcerer68]

Originally Posted by colldp68

Hello! I am new to this forum site and have been doing research on the Hilo area. I plan on living in Hilo next year and have some questions that I have not found answers to yet. Here are the questions. Feel free to leave any additional comments as well!


Are there any white sand beaches near Hilo or along the Hamakua Coast?
Approximately how far is Hapuna Beach from Hilo?
How is the crime there?
Is it true about white mainland having a hard time fitting in?
I know it rains a lot, but does it rain all day, every day?
How is the surfing around the Hilo area?

Thanks !
Dan

There aren't any white sand beaches like what you're thinking. On the Hilo side it's more about in the water activities.

Hapuna is the closest "Hawaii Postcard" beach and it's over 2 hours away. I've been going there since I was a kid and it's my favorite beach in the world. It's stunning and yes, it can have a rip tide at times but so can pretty much anywhere on the island.

Crime isn't bad. Mostly drugs and property crimes and some domestic violence. Nothing big. Really cheap property and rentals are usually really cheap for a reason.

Fitting in for Haoles...depends where you come from, your attitude and what you expect. Come with respect and tread lightly.

It rains pretty much every day but mostly at night. It can rain for days at a time, this usually happens in the winter. It can rain biblically. Mornings are usually sunny.

Big Island isn't known for it's great surfing, specifially the East Side. Honolii is a popular surf spot as well as Pohoiki.