I think a geochemist would find the visitors center at Volcanoes National Park or the presentations/displays at the Imiloa Astronomy Center much more intriguing.
As for something to do in Hilo in the evening, well Hilo isn't a late night town
There's always the mall or a movie.
Originally Posted by
dhuey
...Saddle Road is also a pretty unpleasant stretch of highway.
The western half of Saddle Road is not only unpleasant but downright scary. The east side (newly re-paved) is fine -- but still has no banked curves. Be careful. It's always foggy a few miles mauka of the Hilo end.