What’s brewing on Hilo’s Banyan Drive? State and county leaders are at odds over the future of prime waterfront properties, currently held hostage by contaminated soil and a lengthy master plan. Locals are eager for action, but officials preach patience. Whose vision will prevail for this iconic Hawaii spot?
A significant rift has emerged between state and county leadership regarding the urgent redevelopment of Banyan Drive in Hilo, Hawaii, particularly focusing on the former Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel site and the dilapidated Country Club Condo Hotel. This pivotal debate centers on the pace of progress and the optimal strategy for revitalizing these prime waterfront properties, highlighting a fundamental disagreement over immediate community needs versus comprehensive, long-term planning.
The parcel where Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel once stood, now a vacant lot, presents an immediate environmental challenge. Recent soil removal and testing have revealed “higher-than-acceptable levels of contaminants,” according to Candace Martin, an acting Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) land agent. This unforeseen contamination necessitates further testing, with completion anticipated around early February, effectively halting any swift development plans for the site until environmental safety can be assured.
In response to the complex challenges facing the Waiakea Peninsula, the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) has initiated a comprehensive, two-year master planning process. Executive director Craig Nakamoto revealed that Helber, Hastert & Fee; Planners have been contracted to develop a master plan, building upon a 2023 land use and feasibility study. This extensive plan will meticulously address crucial factors such as sea-level rise, coastal hazards, groundwater inundation risks, and integrate crucial community engagement, aiming for a sustainable and culturally sensitive development.
The DLNR chairperson, Dawn Chang, candidly acknowledged the department’s past shortcomings in managing Banyan Drive, highlighting the substantial financial burden incurred. The demolition and removal of Uncle Billy’s alone cost an staggering $14 million, and the DLNR is currently providing 24/7 security for the surrendered Country Club leasehold while planning its eventual demolition. Chang emphasized the importance of a well-conceived master plan to prevent similar costly mistakes and ensure responsible future development.
However, the county’s perspective, vocally championed by Managing Director Bill Brilhante and Council Chair James Alameda, contrasts sharply with the state’s measured approach. They advocate for swift action, arguing that the people of Hilo have waited “far too long” for progress. Brilhante envisions immediate community benefits, such as a park with pavilions and picnic areas, once the soil contamination is resolved, asserting that further delays are unfair to Big Island residents who daily witness the area’s blight.
Legislative efforts to expedite the process have also met roadblocks, as evidenced by the failure of House Bill 818, which aimed to transfer Waiakea Peninsula lands and leases from the DLNR to the HCDA. This outcome has reinforced the DLNR’s position to prioritize the master planning process, ensuring robust community participation before any land entitlements or dispositions are considered, a stance intended to foster greater transparency and local buy-in.
The divergent views underscore a broader philosophical divide: the state, through Senator Lorraine Inouye, stresses the complexities of land division and the need for thorough, coordinated planning to avoid future problems, referencing past incidents like a fallen banyan tree that caused fatalities. Conversely, local leaders express impatience, suggesting that waiting for a two-year study on issues they perceive as already understood constitutes a “stall tactic,” hindering the community’s ability to enjoy its own resources.
Amidst this impasse, Hilo Representative Sue Keohokapu-Lee Loy raised the possibility of an intermediate solution, questioning whether an “early read” from the master planning process could facilitate a temporary partnership with the county, perhaps to establish a simple green space. This suggestion aims to bridge the gap between immediate public desire for access and the state’s commitment to a comprehensive, long-term vision, offering a potential compromise for the future of Banyan Drive.
