About this Location

Facility Overview

Keawe Parking is a conveniently situated open-air surface parking lot located at 63 Keawe Street in the vibrant heart of Historic Downtown Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii. Designed to accommodate standard passenger cars, oversized sport utility vehicles, full-size pickup trucks, and high-clearance rental vehicles, this outdoor lot features open-sky headroom with no vertical clearance restrictions or low-hanging beams. The straightforward ground-level layout provides easy turning radiuses and marked stalls, making parking stress-free whether you are driving a compact commuter car or a vacation-ready 4x4.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned along Hilo\'s signature shopping and dining corridor, this lot places visitors within immediate walking distance of top cultural, civic, and recreational destinations:

Hilo Farmers Market: Just a 3-minute stroll (approx. 0.2 miles) away, offering fresh tropical produce, local crafts, and island street food.
Palace Theater: Located 2 blocks away on Haili Street, this historic 1925 venue hosts live concerts, independent films, and performing arts events.
Pacific Tsunami Museum: Roughly a 4-minute walk toward Kamehameha Avenue, showcasing compelling historical exhibits of Hawaii\'s natural history.
Kalakaua Park & East Hawaii Cultural Center: Only 2 to 3 minutes on foot, providing green public spaces, community art exhibits, and historic architecture.
Hilo Bayfront & Moʻoheau County Park: Less than a 5-minute walk across Kamehameha Avenue to oceanfront views, beach strolls, and the shoreline canoe paddling areas.
Downtown Dining: Direct access to iconic local dining spots including Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine, Cafe Pesto, and Jackie Rey\'s Ohana Grill.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Drivers can access the parking area directly via Keawe Street, which connects smoothly with Waianuenue Avenue to the north and Furneaux / Mamo Streets to the south. Outbound motorists have rapid access to Highway 19 (Kamehameha Avenue) and Route 11 (Hawaii Belt Road / Volcano Highway), enabling seamless travel to the Hamakua Coast, Hilo International Airport (ITO, roughly 10 minutes away), or Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Public transit riders will appreciate the close proximity to the Moʻoheau Bus Station, the central island-wide hub for the County of Hawaii\'s Hele-On Bus system, situated less than a 5-minute walk away.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-air ground-level parking with unrestricted vertical clearance suitable for tall vehicles and roof racks.
Designated standard vehicle stalls with dedicated ADA accessible parking spaces.
Centrally positioned within a highly walkable commercial district surrounded by sidewalks and crosswalks.
Convenient self-parking layout allowing quick vehicle access and retrieval.
Natural daylight illumination complemented by downtown street lighting during evening hours.

Ideal For

Shoppers and foodies exploring Downtown Hilo\'s boutique shops, bakeries, and renowned farm-to-table restaurants.
Visitors attending market days at the bustling Hilo Farmers Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Patrons taking in evening shows, independent movies, or live music at the historic Palace Theater.
Tourists and road-trippers staging a central walking base while exploring East Hawaii cultural sites.
Local business patrons and professionals needing central daytime parking in the historic business district.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Downtown Hilo experiences heavy foot and vehicular traffic on market days (especially Wednesday and Saturday mornings) and during First Friday art walk evenings; arriving early during these windows helps ensure prime spot selection. While rainfall is frequent in Hilo, keep an umbrella handy in your vehicle when stepping out from this open-air lot. Always remember to lock your vehicle, stow any luggage, rental gear, or valuables out of sight, and heed all posted signage regarding parking durations and business parking regulations.