local economy

It's essential that you come to Hilo with a marketable skill, but that's not enough to save you here. You need to get off the plane with plan.
One of the Hawaiian rules is: There are two ways to be rich, earn more or want less.
That looks great on a T Shirt, but the reality of wanting less here means living in a house with no electrcity, running water or sewage, and being in an isolated area where the nearest store of any kind is a 15 minutes drive. While it's a romantic notion to give up your materialism and want less, it's very very difficult and it's something you need to be aware of.

There are several stores in downtown Hilo that will be closing in the next few months. This could be the beginning of a recession, it could be the price of island life. Eitherway, it sucks.

If you do move here without a plan and you're scrounging for work be sure to submit an application with Altres temp agency. Be patient finding work in Hilo. It's typical to apply and not hear back for 3 months at which point you're expected to at the very least take an interview.

The best way to thrive here seems to be owning your own business. Find something that you can do better than anyone else and set up shop. It might very well be the opportunity you've been waiting for your whole life. Goodluck.