This Rapid Watershed Assessment (RWA) ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/HI/pub/technical/rwa/09_rwa/Hilo_RWA.pdf was compiled by the US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to assist local land managers, planners, and others in evaluating opportunities to implement conservation and resource protection measures within the Hilo watershed. This document is the first component of a two-part assessment: Part 1, the Watershed Profile, is an overview of geographic and social attributes within the watershed, and it summarizes current natural resource conditions that are particularly relevant to management of agricultural and natural lands. A synopsis of NRCS-backed activities completed between 2005 and 2007 provides an indication of resource protection progress as well as prospects for future partnerships in various land-use categories. Part 2, the Assessment of Conservation Opportunities, provides initial estimates of installation quantities and associated costs for specific measures having strong potential to be implemented during the coming five-year time frame of 2009-2013. The assessment focuses on measures commonly applied by agricultural producers at the management unit level, for which NRCS may be able to provide technical or financial assistance.