The Hilo Bay Watershed Advisory Group (HBWAG) is an advocate for the protection and sustainability of the Hilo Bay Watershed ecology. The Group serves the community by fostering cooperation, facilitating education and outreach, and applying scientifically based methods to collect and share watershed and water quality information. Visit About Us to learn more.

Hilo Bay is located on the East side of Hawai'i Island, also known as the "Big Island" of Hawai'i. North of Hilo Bay are the deep gulches and high ocean cliffs of the Hamakua coast. South of Hilo Bay lies the rocky low-lying coast of the Puna district. Behind Hilo Bay to the west the island rises towards the plateau or "saddle" between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, the two majestic volcanoes that make up the biggest part of the island.

The Hilo Bay Watershed stretches from the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa to Hilo Bay - covering more than 463,000 acres, an area larger than the island of Kaua'i! Here you can find rainforests, coral reefs, an alpine lake, deserts, an ice age reserve, anchialine pools and the longest river in the state. This watershed consists of seven sub-watersheds: Alenaio, Honoli'i, Mali'i, Pauka'a, Pukihae, Wailoa, Wailuku and Wainaku.

Hilo Bay is home to a number of outrigger canoe clubs that train and compete on the bay's waters. Other recreational and commercial uses include fishing from shore or boat, surfing, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, kite surfing, scuba diving and swimming.

Hilo Town fronts on Hilo Bay and rises up the slopes behind it. Hilo is the second largest "city" in Hawai'i, and lies at the confluence of the Hilo Bay Watershed's rivers and streams. Hilo's lush green landscape reflects the high average rainfall (120 inches per year) of this windward part of the island.

 
This web site was made possible through funding provided by Hawai'i Coastal Zone Management and the County of Hawai'i and administered by the Big Island Resource Conservation & Development Council.

Due to variables beyond our control, we do not use the kahako (macron diacritical mark) versions of Hawaiian vowel characters on this site, as they may display incorrectly on some systems.