The city of Hilo sits on the northeast coast of The Big Island, and it couldn't be anymore different than the island's west coast city of Kona. Hilo is wet. It sits in the midst of a rainforest that is full of rivers and waterfalls. Kona, on the other hand, sits on the dry west coast surrounded by black fields of glassy volcanic rock.
The city of Hilo consumes more than 3,000 feet of tropical coastline, and most of that coastline is part of the Hilo Beachfront Park. But you won't find many locals or tourists down on the beach. That's because the massive industrial boom of the 1900's have polluted the waters here, and you don't want to be swimming in murky ocean water.
You don't want to be swimming in polluted water, but there's another reason you want to stay out of murky ocean water -- sharks. Shark encounters are incredibly rare in Hawaii, but you increase your chances of an encounter by swimming in murky water. Sharks don't like the taste of the iron in your blood, so they are not out to eat you, but they may nibble or bump you in the murky water. They just want to know what you are in this low-visibility environment.
Hilo's Bay is now a protected area, and there has been a monumental effort to restore the bay to its former glory. On certain days, you can see the bay of old shine through, and the beach park was once voted one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Hawaii.
The Hilo Beachfront Park is a good place for a picnic. Pick up some food in downtown Hilo, walk yourself across the main road and enjoy your food while looking out over the ocean. Marine life is beginning to return to the area, so you may catch glimpses of fish, sea turtles and even monk seals.