The landscape of Hilo Bay is changing with the ongoing demolition of Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel. The process faced delays on Monday morning due to a poorly parked vehicle, and shortly after starting, work was halted by a hydraulic leak in an excavator, as reported by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).
The hotel was condemned by Hawai‘i County in 2017 due to safety and health issues, leading to problems with arson and squatting. Located near two prominent lodgings in Hilo, it became a community concern. Last year, Governor Josh Green issued an emergency proclamation to facilitate its demolition.
DLNR Chair Dawn Chang, along with county and state officials, visited the site last week to recognize the collaborative effort behind the project. "I’d like to acknowledge the progress from a year ago, in addressing a public health and safety hazard, complaints, unauthorized occupants and significant community frustration. This could not have happened without the Governor’s Emergency Proclamation and the collaboration of the state and Hawai‘i County. Isemoto Contracting has stayed on schedule and within the state’s budget" Chang said, as mentioned by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The demolition is being carried out with careful considerations. Wooden structures were removed carefully to reduce debris for landfill disposal, while concrete waste is set for recycling, minimizing environmental impact. Crews are also using water hoses to control dust as they dismantle what was once a significant part of local history, making way for future potential uses.
Project leader Nathan Kurohara from Isemoto Contracting hopes for a communal space instead of a parking lot, stating, "I hope they don’t make it a parking lot," as per the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
