When people think of Hawaii, they often picture Waikiki, but if you want to see the true beauty of Hawaii, you eventually end up in Hilo. The flight time from Honolulu to Hilo is about 50 minutes, which feels even shorter than going to Jeju Island from Korea. There are several flights a day, so it's not difficult to schedule a visit.

Thanks to its abundant rainfall, Hilo is always lush and green. So, to truly experience Hilo means seeing its waterfalls. The waterfalls here are not just well-decorated tourist spots; they are scenes that show the island is alive.

The waterfall you will encounter most easily and first in Hilo is Rainbow Falls. It seems very accessible since you can reach it just a short drive from the airport, but once you arrive, your perspective changes. Standing in front of the waterfall, the sound of the falling water changes the air around you. If you go in the morning, you might see a rainbow depending on the angle of the sunlight, and in that moment, you realize the name is not an exaggeration.

While it may not be an overwhelming waterfall in scale, the surrounding tropical plants, humidity, and the sound of water strangely make you stop. Just a little further up, you will find another scene called Boiling Pots, where water swirls between the rocks in a rough and primal way. There are many warning signs telling you not to get too close, which shows just how raw and natural this place is.

If you were to highlight the best of Hilo's waterfalls, Akaka Falls State Park would be a must-visit. The journey begins as soon as you park and start walking along the trail. The path is surrounded by bamboo, large ferns, and dense tropical trees, allowing you to breathe in the mixed scents of rain and earth.

At the end of the trail, your view suddenly opens up to reveal Akaka Falls, where water plunges straight down from a high cliff, a sight much more intense than seeing it in photos. The sound of the water resonates in your body, and the droplets carried by the wind touch your face, making it feel more like being hit than just seeing.

The special thing about Hilo's waterfalls is that they are easily accessible while still retaining their wildness. It's not hard to drive to them, and the paths are well-maintained, but when you stand in front of the waterfall, you strongly feel that nature does not care about human presence. On rainy days, they become even more majestic, and on cloudy days, they have their own unique atmosphere. Therefore, the saying that weather ruins a trip doesn't quite apply in Hilo. In fact, the more it rains, the more the waterfalls reveal their true selves.

Seeing waterfalls in Hilo is different from the typical sightseeing where you check off items on a list. It's not just about taking a photo and moving on; it becomes a time to understand why the people of this island have revered nature. If you are tired of fast-paced travel, the waterfalls of Hilo will naturally slow you down.

So, if you go to Hilo, I would suggest seeing the waterfalls before shopping or dining. That's the best way to experience what makes this place truly Hilo. It will feel like encountering the untouched nature depicted in the movie Avatar.