Hilo vs Kona

[@drewmorg.]

I lived in Hilo for 2 years and explored every inch of the Big Island. Here is what I can tell you Kona vs Hilo: Kona is the vision of what people imagine when living in Hawaii. It's a bit touristy, it's hot (almost desert like) and dry, amazing beaches, more expensive, more people. I do love Kona and if I had to move back there again I would choose to live there over Hilo. Hilo has the more "cozy" vibe and is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper to live. Hilo rained so so so much, there were a couple times during my experience that it rained for 24 hours a day for 2 weeks straight. Hard. Literally not a second of rain-let up. I am from Southern California and this is the most dramatic difference you can ever imagine. If I was not a gamer with things to do I would have been very depressed as I saw that happen to some of my friends there. Your clothes will literally get moldy inside your dresser. Your clothes can get moldy inside the closet and your shower towels will not dry. It's a bizarre thing to deal with coming from the mainland. When you fly home to the mainland from Hilo and remove your clothes from luggage they will feel "wet". Kona on the other hand can become unbearably hot during the summer months near the downtown city. You will need AC to function and sleep. If you are thinking of renting or buying a home, consider a home with a few hundred feet of elevation above the city -- it makes a huge difference in terms of heat especially at night. Kona has way more bugs, centipedes, spiders than Hilo surprisingly. Hilo is more roaches, rats, and mosquitos. Take your pick. All of us that lived in Hilo would take frequent trips to Kona to "dry out" for the day and hit the beaches... it was about 1.5 hour drive each way but totally worth it. Expect to drive across the island to escape the rain on the Hilo side it is really that bad. Likewise if you plan to live in Hilo, make sure you live with as little elevation as possible as the rain gets exponentially worse into the elevation. We are not talking about a little "tropical rain" here for a few minutes a day like Miami ... we are talking giant water droplets which will soak you running from your car to the house. A lot of people build car ports for this reason so if your house doesn't have one expect to always be wet. You will KINDA get used to it as it's still warm year round. The general vibe of the people of Hilo vs Kona is totally different too. Hilo presents as almost a poor and rundown city with minimal money being reinvested into the infrastructure. Kona is bubbling with energy, restaurants, and things to do. It has more and better beaches. Kona is the fun city. Basically Hilo is a jungle and Kona is a desert with some stunning beaches. Hilo is affordable to anyone with a remote job while Kona may feel like the cost of living in any major city.

[@charmkang]

Nice explanation thanks.

[@hibasama3353]

Thank you! Best summary ever.

[@drewmorg.]

@@hibasama3353 You're welcome, hope it helps. My friend is visiting Kona as we speak. He sent pics from Magic Sands restaurant in Kona just yesterday during sunset and yes I am jealous.

[@gudeliogarduno695]

thank you sir, im looking to buy a little property in captin cook area

[@surferboy8]

Very nice comment. Could pretty much skip all the videos and articles about the big island thanks to your comment being so informative, you even covered the different types of insects ;) thanks!

[@stephaniecrocker2494]

Super helpful video. I was born on Oahu and have been considering a move back to the aina

[@krisrusselljazzvocalist6044]

Are tiny homes legal in Kona?

[@glenngoveia689]

Looking forward to a video on Puna area since it’s one of the few areas we can afford.

[@domingodelgado3944]

Just bought a house in Puna! Going for 2 weeks here pretty soon. I love the rainforest feel and the food in hilo! Slow pace of life is the way to go for me 🤙

[@alexakacharlesreed3486]

COVID hit Kona hard. Last I was there spring of 2021 the cinema was closed and nearby Macy's looked forlorn with a few cars parked in an empty parking lot. The core tourist area had several closures. I hope things have gotten better. It is an island. Everything comes by boat and so the pace and accessibility of things is different than on the mainland.

[@drewmorg.]

The restrictions that the Hawaiian government put on tourists visiting the islands is what killed Hawaii during Covid. I know of multiple reports of people who visited for family trips and were confined to their hotels the entire trip. This is some 3rd world communist crap. There were frequent power outages and no one cared, no room service, and I have heard of people with children waiting 20-30 minutes for elevators to get up to their room. Horrible. I have also heard of neighbors ratting out people who did not want to quarantine for the mandatory 2 weeks upon arrival in Hawaii. I believe the fine was around $4000.

[@Pepeekeo808]

Kona: SunSETS. Hilo:SunRISES. Both fantastic, but one has to get up early to see the Hilo sunrise.. Kona: A/C. Hilo: Trade Winds. Kona: Landscape irrigation sprinklers. Hilo RAIN (mostly at night). Kona: White sand beaches. Hilo: Gray sand beaches.

[@cyrusjulian187]

Hi Gary, thanks for the info. Are you saying in general, the heavier rains occur at night vs day? So it’s not like Seattle for example? Mahalo in advance

[@365HawaiiRealEstateInfo]

@@cyrusjulian187 Rain happens at any moment..lol. Hilo gets some of the most rain than anywhere else in the world.

[@cyrusjulian187]

@@365HawaiiRealEstateInfo Thanks for info. So you actually need an umbrella more than sunscreen most of the year?

[@thai7162]

Did you guys do a follow up or another video on HPP/Puna yet?

[@365HawaiiRealEstateInfo]

Check out the video we did with Amber about living in East Hawaii!

[@kaniala6817]

Your comments are pretty much spot on. The vibe part of it is actually quite accurate. Grew up in Hilo and there is a very noticeable difference in the people and their frame of mind from one side to the other. I love Kona but do not desire to live there, just to visit and vacation, that's the vibe it gives. Hilo is more for the family and that's what I am used to but as the saying goes, "Big Island Mo Bettah!!!

[@Lokahi-fo-life]

My mom side of the family is from Hilo and I spent many summers in Hilo (70’s). It still more old style than Kona. I took 3 weeks to spend in Hilo when I was in my 30’s and it rained for 20 of the 21 days. I actually went to Kona one day to get away from the rain. I love Hilo and I just have a comfortable feeling when I’m there. If I retire to Hilo I do worry about the healthcare.

[@sarakeesee3359]

Great information mahalo

[@365HawaiiRealEstateInfo]

THanks!

[@anastrawberry8047]

Hello! Like always, great video!...but you didn’t help me at all because I like both sides! (which I already knew, but I was hoping that magically you would give me an eureka moment in my mind 😊) I prefer Hilo side because makes me feel more that I am in the real Hawaii, the original, like you said, I like the tropical foliage, the waterfalls, the restaurants, the Vibe, having a little food forest,... that’s what I like. And usually I stay in Hilo when I go to Hawaii, and I love it one day, two, three, ...but after 5 days of rain I am so depressed that I change location to the Kona side! conclusion I preferred Hilo, but I can’t stand so much rain. I like Honokaa town, but also too rainy for my taste. I also like the West side beaches, and the lava. And the trekking, being in the water, kayaking, biking...Argh!! I like it all!!!! I see how Waimea is in the middle of both worlds, having the best of both worlds? Or actually losing the best of each one? Any inspiration that helps me find my spot? North Kohala versus Captain Cook area? Thank you so much. I know I’ll meet you one day (and ask you for your professional services when the time comes) In the mean time, say hello to Mauna Kea from me. And Enjoy Life. Aloha🌸 Ana

[@DriverngHari]

hello great video

[@GamelanSinarSurya]

Very helpful comparison. Mahalo🤙

[@annmiss8412]

So much fun and just plain exciting to even think of the possibility of long-term Hawaii! Thank you!

[@365HawaiiRealEstateInfo]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stevethompson7311]

Another great video full of fantastic information! Mahalo-Skip :)

[@365HawaiiRealEstateInfo]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@marvinpostadan3484]

The happy medium is Waimea!

[@drewmorg.]

Expensive and no beaches. This is def for rich white folks and it feels like a mountain town. Beautiful place, lots of countryside and cows. The weather is cool and foggy. Not a lot to do and about 30-45 minutes from Kona.

[@foleyins]

Excellent video you two!!! Tyvm!!!

[@drsysop]

What about crime as I hear its bad there also & is it true that groceries cheaper on the big island than Maui, Oahu & Kauai? Solar panels would be cheaper than paying a $300 electric bill as I hear. What is rent going for on a 1 bedroom apartment in both areas now there?

[@365HawaiiRealEstateInfo]

Check Craigslist, but most 2/2 condos/ohanas are going for at least $2000 a month in West Hawaii, and not too much cheaper in East Hawaii for a decent place.

[@suttonmatthew]

The trade winds are almost nonexistent in Kona.

[@hawaiiliving4953]

I prefer Hilo side, more of the real Hawaii experience!

[@365HawaiiRealEstateInfo]

It really is!

[@lancebond2464]

Great video. Great information.

[@365HawaiiRealEstateInfo]

Thank you!

[@hawaiiliving4953]

We get it lady , you love Kona 😂😂

[@365HawaiiRealEstateInfo]

I love the sun. Pure and simple!

[@mikewonderlust2912]

great information guys, thank you.

[@365HawaiiRealEstateInfo]

Our pleasure!

[@brianmclaughlin4419]

I thought South Hilo to North Puna was full of Condo developments. ??

[@365HawaiiRealEstateInfo]

There are hardly any condos in East Hawaii.

[@drewmorg.]

You are probably talking about Hawaiian Paradise Park (HPP). There are new developments there which are CHEAP for new home pricing. The catch is the area has little to no cell signal and little infrastructure. It's kind of off-grid while still having a semi normal street system and electricity. The internet is bad or non existent in some areas. I believe that private residents are required to maintain their own roads for access so it is a community investment. I did Uber and explored t he island thoroughly during my 2 year stay in Hilo. I've dropped residents off in that area so pretty familiar. It's definitely off the beaten path while still having quite normal looking houses as you would on the mainland.

[@suttonmatthew]

The big difference is that Hilo is Old Hawaii, and Kailua-Kona is similar to Southern California, but less of everything compared to California.

[@daniviolin7921]

Hilo side is wonderful. Kona folks are mis-leading Hilo and biased. Hilo is more green, less crowded, more local, so many farmers market, cooler, more rain. Coconut island is better than any small city beach in Kona. It is premium. Who wants 90s weather all day long, where 80s r the best. Plus, Best white sand is not in Kona anyway. But by Wakiloa 4 seasons.

[@fionavalkyrie]

I have no idea how someone can work remotely from an east coast job. 6AM is as early as I'll wake up.

[@365HawaiiRealEstateInfo]

We know people who get up at 3 am in order to live here..

[@jameswulzen590]

home prices are out of sight. How can you afford anything with housing prices. You are way off at todays prices.

[@365HawaiiRealEstateInfo]

Inflation killed the housing market across the country. Prices WILL be affected next year. There is no doubt about it.

[@bluemoon3264]

And if you can’t decide between Hilo or Kona just go with Waimea .

[@shin-ishikiri-no]

Crime is prevalent in Hawaii.

[@cyrusjulian187]

Which areas and islands of Hawaii?