The Spirit of Aloha—three words, six syllables, distilling an entire culture into a catchphrase. And it's effective, as people can be complex, and understanding them sometimes requires a reductive approach: something catchy to hook the imagination and easy to remember to make it real. Disembarking their vessels, visitors are often greeted with the well-recognized leis. But it's after leaving the airport, while driving through towns and entering cities, that they discover another component of Hawaiian culture: the art, a physical representation of aloha. In Hilo, adorned with murals of soothing pastels and striking primary colors, travelers can immerse themselves in this spiritual expression. Set against the Big Island's vast and diverse beauty, spend a long weekend to fully appreciate all aspects of aloha.

Downtown Hilo and various spots along Highway 200 and 19