Frequent rain or drizzle, especially in winters, should be regarded as part of the city's natural blessings and charm. Spend a little time in Hilo and the rain feels like it fits the setting perfectly. Granted, at certain times, the 130-200 inches of annual rainfall ceases to be fun for visitors. Residents don't seem to mind.

The capital of the Orchid Island is tropical city and very different from any other place in Hawaii. Commercially grown orchids and anthuriums are the city's chief crop.

Hilo Gardens have over 2,500 species of plants and flowers flourish in the Big Island's landscape, 95 percent found only in Hawaii. There are many commercial nursery operations to see here.

Scenic Puna's costal landscapes, mainly formed by lava eruptions, the pounding of ocean waves and erosion and its black sand beaches, reveal the impact of the Big Island.

Black netting over anthurium nurseries seen as you approach Pahoa, a former lumber and then sugar town, announce the anthurium and papaya capital of Hawaii and the world.

Puna is home of Pele whose handi work is everywhere - in the glistening jet black sands of costal beaches, a forest of lava tree molds, a huge 420-ft-high cinder cone where a village once stood, papayas, tropical flowers and orchids thriving in rich volcanic soil and the incredible Hawaii Volcanoes National Park itself.