I lived on the Big Island for a few years, 86-88. It's not the same dynamics anymore, The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, and The Mauna Lani were the only two large resorts on the coast. Even at that time housing was starting to spring up everywhere. Kona side is dry , I wouldn't want to live in Hilo, its too far from Kona and west Hawaii, thats where everything is happening. What you want to do when you get there is to go down to the harbor @ 6AM in Kona, or better yet, in Kawaihae and introduce yourself to the locals paddeling canoe (outriggers). I paddled canoe for three years with the Kawaihea club and once you are "in" with the canoe club everything becomes a lot easier. Leave the mainland attitude at home and remember you are a guest of Madam Pele.
Photo of the skiis was taken at the top of the Mauna Kea. After my last run I left them there as a symbol of the aloha spirit. They may still be there.
Keep the aloha spirit bra.