The demolition of Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel is now in its final stages as contractors start the second phase. This phase is part of a plan to prepare the site for future development. The project is part of ongoing work in the Banyan Drive area, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources reported that the first phase, which involved removing all aboveground structures, was completed in December 2024. The current phase focuses on cleaning up and preparing the land. This includes removing soil with pesticide contamination, taking out underground utilities, and re-grading the land before adding new topsoil and grass.
Isemoto Contracting Company was awarded a $4.7 million contract to clean up the former Uncle Billy’s site. The goal is to make the area environmentally safe and ready for future use. The project is expected to be finished by January 2026. The Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority will decide how the site will be used, aiming to support both business and preservation. The Department of Land and Natural Resources says the site will be part of a larger plan to improve the Waiakea Peninsula.
