Hilo Named Among Top American Seaside Towns

File photo by Jamilia Epping.

Hilo recently made a national list of “America’s Happiest Seaside Towns” finalists.

Time Inc.’s Coastal Living announced its fifth annual list of 10 happiest places to live by the sea on Tuesday, listing Hilo as the sole location in the state. The list, which is currently unranked includes top destinations from all across the country. Voting for placement, including the “Happiest Seaside Town in America,” will be conducted through public online voting through Jan. 25.

“After getting to know the small-town charms and the seaside magic of these communities, we are beyond excited to see which town wins the top spot to live in bliss by the sea,” said Coastal Living Editor Steele Marcoux. “From the beachside paradise of Hilo, Hawai’i to the historic waterfront of Portland, Maine, all ten of these towns truly embody a special character.”

Coastal Living editors reviewed over 300 destinations that had been praised in the past as Coastal Living Dream Towns or nominated through social media.

Each of the towns were ranked based on the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, percentage of sunny days, air quality, healthiness of beaches, commute times, crime ratings, walkability, standard of living and financial well-being of locals, geographic diversity, and Coastal Living editors’ assessment of each town’s “coastal vibe.”

In alphabetical order, the ten finalists are Capitola, Calif.; Fairhope, Ala.; Hermosa Beach, Calif.; Hilo, Hawai’i; Portland, Maine; Rehoboth Beach, Del.; Seaside, Ore.; Stuart, Fla.; Sturgeon Bay, Wis.; and Sullivan’s Island, S.C.