Hotels catch a new wave

The hotels of Hilo are clustered around the Bay, providing guests with cooling breezes, rainbows and remarkable views of the ocean and harbor. Location is everything, fans of these hotels say.

Unlike many resort areas in the Hawaiian Islands, the city’s center is close by, with its street life, restaurants, shopping and farmers market. Parks, gardens, golf courses, and surfing and snorkeling spots are among the recreational opportunities within walking distance.

These Banyan Drive hotels are bargains by Hawaiian resort standards. The majority were built before 1975, inspiring a wave of upgrades in recent years. Most of the hotels are undergoing renovations with projects big and small. The mix of older and newer rooms explains why It’s not unusual for guests to report wildly different experiences at the same hotel.

The Hilo hotels all have loyalists who’ve stayed at the same place year after year. New visitors appreciate (and expect) the modernization.

The Naniloa makes a comeback
The city’s signature hotel, the Naniloa Volcanoes Resort, is undergoing the most ambitious restoration. Closed for several years, the Naniloa (top picture) was bought in 2006 by Big Island businessman Ken Fujiyama and reopened in a swirl of activity.

The Naniloa’s renovations are proceeding floor by floor and will include all three towers, Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and Kilauea. There are 383 guest rooms. Internet-age communications and business-friendly facilities are among the upgrades.

The Naniloa’s new design scheme bypasses the generic Hawaiian hotel look in favor of contemporary artwork and multi-ethnic themes. Kristie Fujiyama Kosmides, the family artist, is installing her vibrant modern works in the renovated rooms (right picture), creating the Naniloa Collection.

The custom-designed furniture also goes for a more contemporary look. German limestone tiles and imported fixtures are going into bathrooms. Throughout the facility, fresh tiles are replacing moisture-trapping carpets, brightening the facilities.

Hilo hotels in brief
Here is a roundup of Hilo hotels, along with short descriptions based on guest feedback.

Naniloa Volcanoes Resort — Restored and upgraded rooms with remodeling continuing sitewide. Golf, large pool, business facilities, wireless, breakfast buffet. Beautiful grounds and expansive views of the waterfront. Large flatscreen TVs and contemporary art in rooms. Current Naniloa resort specials: Third Night Free, Golf Getaway Package. Make a reservation. Local: (808) 969-3333. $$

Dolphin Bay Hotel — Staff gets high marks for friendliness. Continental breakfast better than most. Located in residential area that’s about a 20-minute walk from Hilo’s center. Kitchens with standard utensils. No air conditioning, no phones in rooms. Toll-free: (877) 935-1466. Local: (808) 935-1466. $

Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel — The rooms of choice have ocean/harbor views. Convenient to the airport. Mixed marks for its buffets. Bonus: The hotel is next to Ken’s Pancakes. Toll-free: 800/367-5004. Local: 808/935-9361. $$

Hilo Seaside Hotel — Smaller hotel close to local attractions and the airport. Older facility with a 1950s vibe. Guests praise the value but not the extras. Coin laundry. Toll-free: (800) 560-5557. Local: (808) 935 0821. $

Country Club Hawaii Condo Hotel — Central location. Past guests recommend the remodeled rooms. Low marks for hallways, elevator. Coin laundry. Pool. Toll-free: (866) 935-7171. Local: (808) 935-7171. $

Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel — Old Hawaii ambiance in older hotel. Japanese garden-close. Continental breakfast. Toll-free: (800) 367-5102. Local: (808) 935-0861. $

View Hilo hotel and lodging contact info.
Read about the Volcano House and other lodging.

Lodging: Paradise for less

The Hilo and Volcano areas offer some surprisingly good values for those not in the market for a large resort hotel. Here’s a look at some of the most interesting lodges and B&Bs in the volcano region.

The historic Volcano House dates back to 1846. It boasts a famed fireplace that’s been lit for more than 125 years. Of course there are plenty of hot spots outside the lodge — it sits on the crater rim of Kilauea.

The Volcano House is the only lodge within the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and provides its only public dining facility.

The rooms of choice are those with views of the Halema’uma’u crater. These are in the Deluxe Wing and the main building. There are 42 guest rooms plus 10 cabins for the park’s many hikers and campers. (The Namakani Paio Cabins are about three miles away.)

There is an upscale-dining restaurant with outstanding views of the volcano and crater. The Ka Ohelo Dining Room’s fare is a blend of Pacific Rim, continental and American chop house. The restaurant serves a breakfast buffet as well as dinner and lunch.

There’s also a snack bar that’s open all day. The lodge lounge, Uncle George’s, also has the killer views. It serves up Hawaiian specialties such as Pele’s Fire and Mai Tai’s. Word to the wise: The lounge closes at 9.

As you’d expect, the scenic lodge does a brisk business with those dreaming of a Big Island wedding. “Let your love burn bright like molten lava,” the lodge’s wedding planners advise. Whoa.

The Nani Mau Gardens, owned by the same local family, provides an Eden-like alternative for the exchange of vows. Lucky couples who get married in the Gardens get a deal on rooms at the Volcano House.

From Hilo, the lodge is about 40 minutes southwest on Highway 11. After entering the Volcanoes National Park ($10 per vehicle), you’ll find it opposite the park’s visitors center and museum.

Volcano House reservations can be made online. (808) 967-7321

Here are some other lodges and B&Bs that may appeal to those seeking alternatives to the big hotels.

The Bay House (B&B) — High marks for the home and the location. Staff gets mixed reviews. Toll-free: (888) 235-8195. Local: (808) 961-6311. $$

The Inn at Kilaniapia Falls (B&B) — Lodgings located right next to the falls. Staff gets mixed reviews. Toll-free: (866) 935-6789. Local: (808) 935-6789. $$

Shipman House (B&B) — A historic Victorian house that’s been restored. Run by a descendant of the Shipman family. Guests praise the breakfasts and the tropical setting. Toll-free: (800) 627-8447. Local: (808) 934-8002. $$$

Hilo Honu Inn (B&B) — A house located in neighborhood overlooking Bay. Downtown is several blocks away. Praise for the hosts and the breakfasts. Local: (808) 935-4325. $$$

Volcano Tree House — Toll-free: (877) 208-2199. Local: (808) 985-9592. $$$

Volcano Village Lodge — Local: (808) 985-9500. $$

Volcano Places — Toll-free: (877) 967-7990. Local: (808) 967-7990. $$$.

Mahalo Hawaiian Retreat (B&B) — Toll-free: (877) 703-7453. Hotel local: (808) 985-9069. $$-$$$.

View Hilo hotel reservations page.

Weddings like a dream

For drama, nothing beats a wedding ceremony at the edge of a volcano. Let the lucky couple’s love burn as bright as the molten lava, the locals say.

Not up for that much heat? The Big Island of Hawaii offers an abundance of beautiful tropical gardens, waterfalls and beaches as places to exchange vows. Or renew them.

When the big day comes on the Big Island, the romance of a world-class destination wedding becomes apparent.

The historic Volcano House arranges the weddings on the edge of the quite-lively Kilauea Crater. The inn is located about 40 minutes southwest of Hilo.

Volcano House offers wedding packages in which all of the essentials are provided: flowers, photography and video, wedding cakes, catering and guest accommodations (42 rooms).

The traditional country inn, in operation since 1846, is the only lodging located within the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It offers dramatic views of the volcano, Mauna Loa Mountain and the park’s forest.

A $50 wedding permit is required for ceremonies within state parks.

Nani Mau Gardens provides a lush natural environment that has embraced many a wedding party. In fact, it’s often been voted the best place to get married on the Big Island.

Nani Mau has 20 acres of gardens dedicated to tropical flowers, orchids and waterfalls. Couples can be married in the gardens, on a covered walkway or in a pavilion. A tree-planting ceremony is a nice touch.

Nani Mau offers a full suite of wedding-day services, including buffets or banquets g for up to 400 guests.

The gardens are just outside Hilo and about 25 miles northeast of the volcanoes park.

More locations for weddings in the Hilo area:

• Lili’uokalani Park and Gardens (city park)
• Akaka Falls State Park
• Punalu’u Black Sand Beach (Beach House)

Getting a marriage license in Hawaii

Getting married on the Big Island is a breeze. All that’s needed is a marriage license — no blood tests or waiting periods.

The man and woman seeking a license must appear before a licensed marriage agent. Driver’s licenses are accepted as identification and proof of age for those 19 and older. A certified copy of the birth certificate is mandated for 18-year-olds.

In Hilo, the marriage license office is located at:
75 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 974-6262

There also are independent license agents.

The state of Hawaii marriage license costs $60 and is good for 30 days. The Hawaii wedding application can be downloaded and filled out in advance, but cannot sent to the agent via mail.

The person performing the ceremony must be licensed by the state.

Wedding photographers in the Hilo area include:
R.W. Smith Photography
James Rubio Photography
Walczuk Productions