The second largest town on the big island of Hawaii, Hilo claims home to roughly 48,000 people, though -- delightfully -- is relatively free of lei-wearing tourists beyond the periodic cruise ship excursions. (Hilo is also the county seat, as the island is all one county, lacking any official incorporated cities.)

As signs go, quite colorful: a bit of green, some bright gold sorts of tones, very aloha as signs go.	The rainbow over the Aloha gas station just seemed fitting... even if we stopped at a green light for it.	Despite the map hinting otherwise, Rainbow Falls is a mere minute or two outside of the downtown area.
Ken's House of Pancakes is much more than that -- and the only 24 hour restaurant this side of Hawaii.	A big ol' King Kamahemeha status (previously on the northern tip of the island, now in downtown Hilo).	Spam, eggs and rice for break-fast? Why not -- and you can get it right here at McDonalds.