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Hidden Hilo
Beyond the Historic Facades: Street Art, Secret Stories & Speakeasy Nights
Written by a Local Expert
Leilani AkoUnseen Hilo – Beyond the Historic Facades
To truly connect with Hilo's heartbeat, one must venture beyond the main streets. Learn to read the city's hidden language. It's a language spoken in the vibrant paint of a mural in a forgotten alley. In the subtle influence of a cowboy culture found not in storefronts but on dinner plates. In the architectural details that tell a story of aspiration, disaster, and renewal. This is the unseen Hilo. Waiting to be discovered by the curious traveler.
This isn't random graffiti but a curated, community-driven movement. Organizations like Temple Children and the nonprofit 808 Urban bring local and international artists to town to create stunning public murals.
The Alleys are Alive: A Hilo Street Art Safari
In recent years, Hilo's walls and alleyways have been transformed into a dynamic outdoor art gallery. These artworks are often temporary. They're painted over during the next festival. This makes a self-guided street art hunt a timely and exciting adventure.
👑 Queen Liliʻuokalani
Graces the wall across from Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine. A powerful and regal portrait serving as a reminder of Hawaiʻi's sovereign history.
🌺 Hula Dancer
Behind the Hilo Tattoo Co. building. A striking, large-scale mural rendered in various shades of green, capturing the grace and power of hula.
🐙 Giant Octopus
Climbs the side of a building on Ponahawai Street. A whimsical and massive orange tako created by Dan Madsen, owner of Oasis Skateboards.
🌟 Goddess Figure
Hilo Town Tavern Wall on Mamo Street features a vibrant and surreal depiction by Lauren YS, bringing mythic energy to a popular local haunt.
KTA Supermarket Murals on Keawe Street tell local stories. Created by Kathleen Kam & John "Prime" Hina from 808 Urban. Uniquely, you can dial a phone number listed on the wall to hear an audio summary of the legends depicted.
🎨 Street Art Safari
- Best Time: Daylight hours
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Difficulty: Easy walking
- Cost: Free
- Note: Art changes
🕵️ Secret Spots
- The Hidden Nēnē (speakeasy)
- The Temple Bar (craft cocktails)
- Forgotten alleys with art
- Historic building details
🏛️ Architecture Styles
Dickey Roof
Double-pitched hip roof design
Lava Rock
Native stone foundations
Art Deco
1930s-era civic buildings
🗺️ Explore More
The Ghost in the Storefront: Uncovering Hilo's Paniolo Soul
One of Hilo's most intriguing hidden stories is that of the paniolo. The Hawaiian cowboy. While other guides miss this heritage entirely, its influence is subtle but present. The story begins in the 1830s when King Kamehameha III invited Mexican vaqueros to the Big Island. They helped manage the vast herds of wild cattle. The Hawaiian pronunciation of español gave rise to the word paniolo.
While the heart of paniolo country is in the upcountry pastures of Waimea, its spirit drifts down into Hilo. You won't find many storefronts selling cowboy boots. But you can find the paniolo influence if you know where to look.
This is an invisible influence. Woven into the fabric of the local economy rather than advertised on a sign.
Local Ranchers
At the Hilo Farmers Market, you can buy free-range, grass-fed beef from local ranchers continuing island traditions.
Crafted Goods
Shops like Hana Hou Hilo specialize in handcrafted goods including beautifully woven lauhala papale that echo paniolo style.
Modern Fashion
Brands like Western Aloha blend the two cultures with items like their "Paniolo White" shirt design.
Reading the Signs: Hilo's Architectural Stories
Walking through Hilo is like reading a history book written in architecture. The buildings themselves tell the story of the city's evolution. Look for the use of native lava rock in privacy walls and foundations. Grounding modern homes in the island's geology. Notice the grand, early 20th-century civic buildings like the Federal Building (1915) and the Volcano Block Building (1914). Constructed from reinforced concrete as symbols of a prosperous and "fireproof" future.
Pay special attention to the signature style of architect C.W. Dickey. He believed in adapting designs to the Hawaiian climate. His buildings, like the former Hawaiian Telephone Co. Building, often feature a distinctive double-pitched hip roof. Designed to shed rain and encourage airflow. A feature so common it became known as the "Dickey roof."
The Hidden Nēnē and Other Evening Secrets
For decades, Hilo had a reputation for rolling up its sidewalks after dark. That is no longer the case. A new wave of sophisticated, hidden nightspots has emerged. Offering craft cocktails and intimate atmospheres.
The Hidden Nēnē
Tucked away in a basement on Furneaux Lane, this true speakeasy offers "Escapism & Libations" in a cozy, ambient setting.
The Temple Bar
On Keawe Street, serving upscale craft cocktails and food with a focus on fresh, local Big Island ingredients.
These modern hideaways provide a perfect contrast to the classic, energetic vibe of the Hilo Town Tavern. A beloved local institution known for its live music and bustling crowd.
