Tiny Mokuola, commonly called Coconut Island, connects to land (near Liliʻuokalani Park) by a 250ft footbridge. The island is a county park with picnic tables and beaches for swimming. Watch local kids somersaulting off a 20ft tower! From Mokuola, you'll have great photo ops of Hilo with Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa in the background.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Hilo attractions

1. Liliʻuokalani Park

0.27 MILES

Arguably Hilo's most beautiful spot, these sprawling Japanese gardens are perfect for picnicking. Named for Hawaii's last queen (r 1891–93), the 30-acre…

2. Reeds Bay Beach Park

0.45 MILES

This calm little cove is ideal for kids and stand-up paddleboard (SUP) beginners. It's scenic, but not secluded. Set alongside Banyan Dr, the compact park…

3. Tsunami Memorial Clock

0.48 MILES

This tall green clock is permanently stopped at 1:04, marking the morning of May 23, 1960, when a major tsunami demolished the town. A series of seismic…

4. King Kamehameha Statue

0.79 MILES

At the northern end of Wailoa River State Park, a 14ft bronze statue of King Kamehameha stands facing the bay. Sculpted by R Sandrin at the Fracaro…

6. Pacific Tsunami Museum

1.19 MILES

You cannot understand Hilo without knowing its history as a two-time tsunami survivor (1946 and 1960). This museum encompasses only a few rooms, but they…

7. FW Koehnen Building

1.2 MILES

Built in 1910, this iconic blue building housed Koehnen's Interiors, a classy home furnishings store, from 1929 until 2012. Three generations of Koehnens…

8. Mokupapapa Discovery Center

1.21 MILES

Geared for kids, this center aims to educate the public about pristine Hawaiian ecosystems. Even adults might not know that the Hawaiian archipelago…

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