Hilo: the land, the climate, the water.

At a glance

Elevation (most land)

16–1,529 ftmedian 349 ft

Annual rainfall

153 inmedian; 129–203 in across the area

Mean annual temp

71 °F67–73 °F across the area

USGS lava zones

3 and 8varies by parcel

Drive to KOA

~111 min75.9 mi from downtown Hilo; typical, light traffic

Area profiled

53.8 sq miHilo CDP

Land & elevation

The Census place runs from sea level to about 2,000 ft. Hilo is one of the wettest areas profiled here, with median annual rainfall of about 153 in, roughly five times Kailua-Kona's. Across the Hilo CDP boundary, the middle 90% of land sits between 16 and 1,529 ft (median 349 ft; full range 0–2,066 ft). At downtown Hilo, the ground is about 20 ft.

Climate

Median annual rainfall across the area is about 153 inches, and most of the area gets 129–203 in (10th–90th percentile). At downtown Hilo, the atlas shows about 143 in a year. Mean annual air temperature is about 71 °F (67–73 °F across the area). On this island, temperature generally drops as elevation rises, and rainfall can change a lot within a few miles. Visit at different times of day before you choose.

These are long-term averages from University of Hawaiʻi climate atlases (rainfall base period 1978–2007), not forecasts or guarantees for any property.

Lava-flow hazard zone

Most of Hilo is mapped Zone 3 (Mauna Loa), with a small Zone 8 portion on the Mauna Kea side. USGS rates hazard from Zone 1 (highest) to Zone 9 (lowest). Share of this area's land in each zone:

Varies by parcel. Zone boundaries are approximate. USGS notes that hazard generally changes gradually rather than abruptly at a line, and lenders and insurers use the zone of the specific parcel. I look up the zone for every property and get insurance quotes before contingencies are removed.

Water: county system or catchment

The County's Hilo Water System draws groundwater from wells including Panaʻewa and Piʻihonua (2025 report). Some properties outside the service area use catchment.

Public-system coverage is parcel-specific: some properties have a water meter, some are on a private or community system, and some rely on rainwater catchment or hauled water. We confirm the source for every property in due diligence, and your lender and inspector should too.

Getting to Kona International Airport (KOA)

From downtown Hilo, the drive to KOA is about 75.9 miles, typically about 111 minutes in light traffic. Actual times vary with traffic, construction and where in the area you start. For this side of the island, Hilo International Airport (ITO) is closer.

Before you buy in Hilo

• Confirm the parcel's lava zone and get homeowners-insurance quotes early
• Confirm the water source (meter, private system, catchment or hauled)
• Confirm the wastewater system: sewer, septic or cesspool (why it matters)
• Check tenure (fee simple or leasehold), and HOA rules and fees if any
• Check County zoning and registration rules before planning any short-term rental

See homes in Hilo ↗