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construction; I think they're gonna have the grand opening of the restaurant, I think in a little
<br /> while. I saw an invitation coming up. And so we think there is at least couple hotels right now
<br /> in pretty good shape in Banyan, very nice in my opinion. That's, I think, I don't know if
<br /> anybody has questions but that's pretty much what I wanted to say.
<br /> KIM: Thank you. I'm going to continue in regards to County participation. First of all he
<br /> summarized briefly in regards to what Mr. Z, I'm calling him that because that's what he prefers,
<br /> from Naniloa, and the whole discussion of that was to expedite, which is very important for this
<br /> discussion. How the, how can the State expedite, first of all,just the estimation assessment of
<br /> what for demolition so you can put it out to bid. I think it was, from what I understand, Mr. Z
<br /> volunteered that proposal in regards to that they would do it and then the State would have
<br /> something that they can hold it out there for bid. And they could use that also in case the
<br /> prospective bidder for replacement. And I think that was very good of the Naniloa to do that
<br /> because the purpose was of two-fold. I think they, as well as others, were very interested in that
<br /> property, and people still are based on the inquiries we get. And I'm hoping that will be
<br /> expedited, so I'm hoping that phase of it will be completed, as you said that, you know, the cost
<br /> factor could be built in, in regards to the lease payment or agreement and so I'm hopeful of that.
<br /> In regards to the other places and in regards to Country Club, you know we had just finished the
<br /> past couple of months safety inspection again by Public Works and by the fire department. And
<br /> that place is in bad shape. It is, as stated out as a lot of the tenants are rentals and a danger to
<br /> them, and fire department was instructed to go ahead and make sure they just do their job in
<br /> regards to their job of safety inspection. And that needs to be attended to for emergency repairs,
<br /> etcetera. So that's totally in the hands of the professionals of fire and the Public Works
<br /> inspectors. What I'd like to summarize here besides that, the plan of Banyan Drive by the
<br /> County involvement goes way back. If you look at Banyan Drive now you will see Kuhio Park
<br /> across the bay. At the time that Rotary Club came over to the office and asked for permission to
<br /> do that in cooperation with the County, the vision of what Banyan Drive, I was pointed out to
<br /> that. It falls within what we would like to do. And we made a commitment, we will do our
<br /> share. We told them about Reed's Bay, and we did that. You guys should see the bathroom and
<br /> all the things that was fixed, and the wall, and removal of rocks and those things, and the yard
<br /> space. If you look at the parking area, we did that. What I'd like to address here now is where
<br /> we would like to go. I think we're just interested like all of you, and from what Mr. DeLima
<br /> presented, which is quite obvious, that we just want to see it go forward and make it better. Our
<br /> vision, I think, was a little different. We looked at the Banyan Drive as to be a real close part,
<br /> because it is part of Hilo. Not isolation of Banyan Drive for the resorts, tourists. I'm very proud
<br /> of, and happy for, and anxiously await January 1st because we will have a cooperative effort
<br /> between Land and Natural Resources—Department of Parks rather, for State on Wailoa Pond.
<br /> As you may know they were going to close Wailoa Pond for a year. And we'll work with them
<br /> in the clean up, but not only that but with Kamehameha, which owns a property adjacent to the
<br /> Wailoa Pond which is a home for a lot of homeless. My instructions, not instructions but you
<br /> know, to them was simple. I'm glad you're gonna start next year because we're not ready now,
<br /> we're still trying to establish a template for Kona, which is a, you know, costly and time
<br /> consuming—and finding property for a long-term care place we're going to have to do the same
<br /> for Hilo and Puna, and we're just beginning that phase. Before we start to clean it out, we have
<br /> to have a place for them to go,just like Kona, so we don't just shuffle them from here to there.
<br /> So we envision, if you look at the, expand little bit Banyan Drive not in isolation, but the trails
<br /> connected all of Hilo, Wailoa to be part of it. And if you look at what the State, and I'm proud
<br /> of the State in regards to what they did at the Wailoa Center, the whole concept of it changed to
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<br /> Banyan Drive Hawaii Redevelopment Agency
<br /> October 25,2017 Minutes
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