Hilo Bay has an entrance width of 8 miles between Pepeekeo Point on the N and Leleiwi Point on the SE; the head of the bay is 4 miles inland. Hilo on the SW side of the bay, is second in importance of the commercial deepwater harbors in the State of Hawaii.
Anchorages may be obtained anywhere under the lee of the breakwater where depths are suitable. Good anchorage is available W of Kaula’ināiwi Island in depths of 25 to 35 feet over good holding ground. Well protected small-craft anchorages with fair holding ground may be found in S of Kūhiō Bay, and in Radio Bay E of Pier 1. The Hilo harbormaster usually assigns deep-draft anchorages.
A safety zone is in Hilo Harbor, adjacent to the commercial piers.
Most of the small craft of the area berth at Wailoa RiverSmall Boat Harbor 0.1 miles S of Wailoa River mouth; lights mark the entrance to the river. In 2001, the reported depths were 9 feet in the river channel and 7 to 10 feet in the berthing area. The Wailoa River mouth is subject to extensive shoaling, especially during the winter months. In 2006, extensive flooding created further shoaling within the channel. Local boaters have reported depths of 2.5 feet within the channel. A precautionary sign with a flashing red light has been posted at the entrance to the harbor alerting mariners to the shoaling and advises them to use caution. Vessels drafting more than 4 feet should not attempt to enter the river. The fixed highway bridge at the entrance has a clearance of 12 feet.
Gasoline, diesel fuel, and water are available at the State piers; all fuels must be trucked in. Ice and some marine supplies are available in Hilo.
Navigation:
Paukaa Point Light (19°45’44″N., 155°05’23″W.) 145 feet above the water, is shown from a white pyramidal concrete tower about 2 miles N of Hilo. A lighted red and white water tank is on the SE side of Kūhiō Bay.
The marine terminal is in Kūhiō Bay behind the inner end of the breakwater. S of the terminal is a large commercial airport; the aero light at the airport can be seen many miles at sea.
From deep water on the N, the channel to the inner harbor leads between the breakwater and the W shore, then turns sharply E and follows the S edge of Blonde Reef to the wharves in Kūhiō Bay. A Federal project provides for an entrance channel 35 feet deep and a harbor basin of same depth in Kūhiō Bay. Channel and basin are maintained at or near the project depth. The entrance and channel to the basin are marked by a directional light on Coconut Point lighted and unlighted buoys, and a 097.2° lighted range leading into Kūhiō Bay.
Blonde Reef has depths of 4 to 25 feet and extends 1.5 miles in a NW direction from the SE side of Hilo Bay. In general, the shoaling is abrupt on all sides of the reef. A lighted buoy is off the outer end of the breakwater, which extends the length of the reef.
Opposite Blonde Reef are two small islands on a reef that makes out 0.3 mile from the S shore; bare Kaula’ināiwi Island is near the outer end of the reef and wooded Coconut Island connected to the mainland by a footbridge, is close to shore. A lighted buoy marks the outer end of the reef.
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