The University of Hawaii at Hilo began as a branch of the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1947 and underwent a number of name changes prior to being organized in 1970 under its present name. UH Hilo is a part of Hawaii's ten campus system of higher education. Located in Hilo, with a center in Kealakekua, West Hawaii, it incorporates a four-year College of Arts and Sciences, a four-year College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management, and an expanding College of Continuing Education and Community Service.

From 1970 through 1990, the University of Hawaii at Hilo also included Hawaii Community College among the academic programs. Effective with the 1991 academic year, Hawaii Community College became a separate entity although it continues to share faculty offices, classrooms and many facilities and services.