Leave luggage in car at Pine Tree Cafe?

Question

We (47F, 48M, 68F, 78F) are staying in Hilo, flying out of KOA at 9:40pm on a Tuesday night. We know we will have to work with luggage in the car all afternoon/evening. We're planning on stopping by the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station on our way across, and that will take up a small amount of time, and then Kukio and Kikaua Point for the rest of the afternoon/early evening. I know we will need to get supper before we fly out. Is the Pine Tree Cafe a relatively safe option with luggage in the trunk? Any other ideas on how to safely waste time once the sun is down?

Answer

When traveling in Hilo and looking to leave luggage in your car, it’s important to be mindful of security. Hilo is generally a safe town, but leaving valuables in a visible area can attract opportunistic theft. Trunk storage is safer than leaving items in plain sight inside the cabin, but nothing is completely risk-free.

The Pine Tree Cafe is a casual local spot and typically not a high-crime area. If you park in a well-lit area and keep your luggage out of sight, it should generally be fine for a short stop while you have dinner. Using common precautions—locking doors, keeping valuables hidden, and limiting the amount of time the car is unattended—will reduce risk.

Other ways to safely pass the time in the afternoon and early evening with luggage include:

Shopping or indoor activities: Visit Hilo’s Bayfront shops or the Hilo Farmers Market area. These areas usually have public parking and indoor spaces where you can keep an eye on your car and belongings.
Museums or cultural stops: Lyman Museum or Pacific Tsunami Museum can be interesting ways to pass a few hours in a secure, indoor setting.
Cafes and restaurants with parking: Opt for locations with a lot of local traffic and visible parking, which provides a natural layer of security.
Airport storage: As a backup, KOA airport doesn’t have official luggage storage, but some travelers opt to stop near the airport first to unload or check in early if possible.

Once the sun goes down, safer options include visiting a hotel lobby bar or restaurant, or a well-trafficked area like downtown Hilo. Avoid isolated areas after dark, and consider keeping luggage with you in a compact form (like backpacks) if feasible for evening activities.

For Pine Tree Cafe specifically:

Park in a visible, well-lit area.
Store luggage fully in the trunk or out of sight.
Limit the stop to the duration of your meal.

Overall, with basic precautions, stopping at Pine Tree Cafe for dinner with luggage in the trunk should be reasonable. Combining it with early indoor sightseeing or casual walks in well-lit areas will allow you to safely spend your afternoon and evening before your flight.

Leave luggage in car at Pine Tree Cafe?

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