HILO: Then and Now

04/06/2025

Hawaiʻi observes Tsunami Awareness Month in April to remember the April 1, 1946 tsunami that was generated by a large earthquake in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. With no tsunami warning system then, the tsunami arrived unexpectedly, resulting in 159 fatalities in Hawaiʻi. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center was founded 3 years later, and it currently serves as one of two regional warning centers for the United States, while also providing tsunami notifications and warning to 25+ other countries.

The goals of the Pacific Tsunami Museum (PTM) are to promote public tsunami education for the people of Hawai’i and visitors worldwide, preserve the social and cultural history of Hawai’i, and serve as a living memorial to those who lost their lives in past tsunami events. Mahalo: Pacific Tsunami Museum

01/06/2024

Happy New Year from Hilo our hometown!
This 2024, expect more historical tid bits and archival stitchings. Here are the latest comparisons we’ve been working on so far. From the shores of Kaipalaoa to the once bustling town of Waiākea Kai.

Mahalo ke kākoʻo ʻana mai! We greatly appreciate your feedback and continued love and support for Hilo and Hawaiʻi Island history. Please share any historic / vintage photos with us and stay ready for more!

Photo Credit:

07/08/2021

aloha mai kākou! These epic series of stitchings were created back in 2014 via on Instagram. We’re beyond stoked to continue in the same tradition✨

Can you recognize and name all 9 of these historic Hilo locations? Drop a comment below.

02/21/2021

circa 1921 - 2021 Yuraku-Kwan / Mamo Theatre

Originally named the Yuraku-Kwan Theatre, it opened in 1921. The name was changed to Mamo Theater in 1937 and continued showing movies until late ‘82.

Movie titles included: Gone With The Wind, Tora! Tora! Tora!, and Hang’em High. The Mamo had just one manager from 1945 to its final day of operation on September 10, 1982 - ending its movie run with “Tron.” The theater was then used for live stage plays run by the Hilo Community Players.

In April 1995, the roof collapsed from termite damage and the theater was demolished just a few weeks later.

Today, the former site of this historic theater (located directly across of Downtown KTA) is now a parking area and vendor space for the Hilo Farmers Market.

Share your memories of/at the Mamo below!

02/13/2021

circa 1930 - 2021 Waiʻānuenue / Rainbow Falls

Until 1892, the scenic spot at Waiʻānuenue (Rainbow Falls), was accessible only by horse trail. Two girls on horseback are shown above in a historic photo from the Hawaiʻi State Archives.

In 1904 the Hilo Park Commision widened the trail to accomodate carriages and it started landscaping. Today, a part of Wailuku River State Park, it remains one of Hilo’s most visited landmarks.

01/20/2020

Dedicated to all who share a love and appreciation for Hilo, our hometown. Mahalo for the continued support!

Compiled a collection of historic HILO photos that I’ve contrasted/recreated in 2020. Some date to over 100 years ago! Be sure to follow on I...

12/16/2019

Welcome to Downtown Hilo in 1935!

Look closely. Do you recognize any familiar structures or landmarks?

12/16/2019

The Peacock Block 1899 - 2020

Peacock & Co. constructed the first brick building in Hilo on the corner of Waiānuenue Avenue and Keawe Street. Later penned “The Peacock Block,” it housed the first bank in Hilo from 1900 until 1926 - when their lease expired.

In 1927, it became the first Hawaiʻi County Building (later replaced by the present County building on Aupuni Street in 1967).

This historic building was demolished in 1968, and the site was made into a parking lot for Downtown Hilo merchants.

12/10/2019

S.H. Kress 1946 (post tsunami) - 2019

The Kress Building was built in 1932 and housed Hilo’s popular five-and-dime store until 1980.

In 1990, former US Senator Hiram Fong purchased and restored the only remaining Kress building in the nation - known for its beautiful Art Deco style multi-colored terra cotta facade and terrazzo flooring.

This historic building was converted into a theater between ‘95-2014 and currently houses Connections Public Charter School.

11/27/2019

Queen Liliʻuokalani Gardens (approx. 24 acres) is located in the moku of Hilo, ʻahupuaʻa of Waiākea, and ʻili of Makaokū.

Construction for the gardens began in November 1917 and it first opened to the public in 1919 - exactly 100 years ago!

Did you know:
In 1968, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Gannen-mono (first Japanese immigrants to arrive as sugar plantation laborers), 13 stone lanterns and two stone lion gates were donated by the governors of prefectures in Japan from which the immigrants came, adding to lanterns from the original garden that survived two major tsunamis.

(1920/2020 comparison)