Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaii, also known as just Paradise Park (or HPP, to locals), is quite a neat place to call home, especially if you are fond of ocean air, palm trees, and the occasional volcanic eruption. Nah, it doesn't happen that often, but, when it does, sheesh! You don't want to be downwind of that in your 1 bedroom apartment!
Hawaiian Paradise Park is a relatively small city on the southeast side of the big island, Hawaii
Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaii, also known as just Paradise Park (or HPP, to locals), is quite a neat place to call home, especially if you are fond of ocean air, palm trees, and the occasional volcanic eruption. Nah, it doesn't happen that often, but, when it does, sheesh! You don't want to be downwind of that in your 1 bedroom apartment!
Hawaiian Paradise Park is a relatively small city on the southeast side of the big island, Hawaii. As of the 2010 Census, HPP had just over 11,000 individuals calling it home. With a land mass of just over 15 square miles, that means the town has just under 800 people per square mile. That's not too bad when you think about it. You won't have as many people to trample over when you're running away from that lava river! Just kidding. On a more serious note, HPP just happens to be in one of the sections of the big island that doesn't have much lava flow activity. But, you know, renters insurance is prudent anywhere.
Whenever you move anywhere and you are looking for one bedroom apartments or larger living spaces, there are always preparations that you need to make. For starters, you need to make sure you have all of the requisite paperwork for your prospective landlord or mortgage company, regardless of whether you are looking for studio apartments for rent or home rentals. Things like past tax returns, recent pay stubs, and a valid state-issued ID are just some examples of documents that some landlords or mortgage companies may ask for. References from past landlords or property managers don't hurt, either.
When you are getting ready to make HPP your residence, there are a few things that you will need to take into consideration, such as the fact that while the majority of the homes here have already been built, there are many empty lots that are for sale on which you can build your own home if you so choose. After renting here for a while, you might love the town so much that you'll want to build a permanent residence!
This is a small city, and though it is a city the island culture is alive and well here. When you move here, you may have difficulty getting a mailbox. The post office sometimes has a waiting list for boxes, as they are in short supply.
The city newsletter, The Conch, can be accessed on the city website. The newsletter is published three times a year and contains everything you need to know about the area, including a listing of community events.
There are no specific neighborhoods within HPP, as HPP is a relatively small city. What is nice about HPP, however, is the fact that the island culture here remains alive and well, even though in recent years many people have begun to call this town home. There is a great sense of community, and neighbors are quick with their hellos when you run into them.
The name of this city conjures up visions of a true Hawaiian paradise complete with palm trees, barbecue dinners, and the usual island culture, and you won't be disappointed by HPP if these are what you seek in your next hometown. Though it's located in an idyllic setting, the areas adjacent to HPP have all the shopping and dining amenities you'd hope to find.
If your wallet is burning a hole in your pocket, head to neighboring towns to drop some serious cash. The Hilo Shopping Center and Prince Kuhio Plaza are two of the close shopping centers. At the latter, you'll find major department stores (Macy's and Sears), some smaller shops (American Eagle, Zumiez, and Famous Footwear), and a food court. The shopping center also houses the The Prince Kuhio Stadium Cinemas, where you can catch a flick if you're tired of shopping. For necessities, many locals head to the local Walmart, located in Hilo on Makaala Street.
When it comes to eating out, food on the island is better than many other places in the world. Kaleo's in Pahoa serves native Hawaiian cuisine and is among one of the local favorite places to dine. Word on the street has it that their poke and their Kalua pork wontons are out of this world. If you don't fill up at dinner, you should definitely give the Kona coffee cheesecake a try. Sukothai Restaurant also gets rave reviews; their pineapple fried rice uses local pineapple and pleases even the pickiest diner. If you have a craving for diner-style dishes, you're still in luck: Jus Pound!, situated in nearby Keaau, serves up pastrami sandwiches, garlic fries, and gigantic burgers. It also wins the award for the most creatively named restaurant in the area.
If the active lifestyle is more your speed, the areas surrounding HPP offer plenty to see and do. Lava Tree State Park, situated in Pahoa, has a well-kept walking trail and gorgeous plant life that make this place a must-see for hikers and photographers alike. The park also has restroom facilities-always good to keep in mind. The Queen Liliuokalani Gardens in Hilo are also a great place to spend an afternoon. The land for the gardens was given to Hawaii by Queen Liliuokalani herself, and the park is now home to Japanese-style gardens.
For gorgeous scenery, delicious cuisine, and a low-key island lifestyle, consider Hawaiian Paradise Park!
