We love staying in Michael's Hilo place. This was our 3rd visit, the sincerest form of endorsement. The home has everything we need to cook and hang out, and is very clean. It and its neighborhood feel homey, the antithesis of touristy. We really enjoy it's walk-ability: the daily farmers' market, restaurants, shops, the shoreline -- all within 5 minutes walk. Volcano National Park is barely more than 30 minutes drive. Hilo is the rainiest large(ish) US city, but in our experience, the rain is often just torrential showers interspersed with sunshine. This gives it a tropical feel. Most Big Island visitors cloister on the Kona side, which leaves Hilo without its Hawaiiana vibe as trampled into obliteration.