|
make a recommendation to the Board in DLNR to try to get that going. You know, if we see that
<br /> it has any merit, we should vet it at our next agency meeting and property agendize it. But
<br /> KAHELE: You know, what I've
<br /> DELIMA: Go ahead.
<br /> KAHELE: You know, tried to rationalize with DLNR is that if they invest, the State invests on
<br /> the peninsula, we increase ground rents. Well, I mean, right now we have Tower Development
<br /> paying a thousand dollars a month to secure the Uncle Billy's property on a revocable month-to-
<br /> month permit. But, you know, potentially, if we had demolished Uncle Billy's and built a new
<br /> hotel, that would generate a lot more money than that. Which is more money for the special land
<br /> funds, it's more general excise taxes for the State,right? So it's gonna require that investment
<br /> on DLNR as the landlord or the State Legislature to do that, which is where I'm looking at what,
<br /> what as something between now and mid-fall, based on recommendations of the administration
<br /> and the BDHRA, what are some legislative vehicles I can and my house colleagues can put
<br /> together? Tax credits, entitlements, or zoning, I don't know. Whatever different things that we
<br /> can, legislative tools we can start working on for 2019 to help get this going based on the
<br /> BDHRA vision, Master Plan, Conceptual Plan for what we need to do. We just can't wait any
<br /> longer cause this is multi-year project. We're lucky if we see a new hotel on Uncle Billy's
<br /> property in five years. Five years? Three? You know?
<br /> DELIMA: Well the sooner you get it, it—kind of like a domino effect. Mr. Mayor?
<br /> KIM: You know, I'm going to take a different perspective if you don't mind. I just got involved
<br /> in Banyan Drive in the year 2000 and something must be wrong with my thinking because I am,
<br /> I'm really quite pleased with where we are today. You know, I think Mr. DeLima, you share
<br /> some of that because you've been through this such a long time as a just a citizen, not just a
<br /> member of the Board, and so let me back track some of the things I think the County is doing a
<br /> good job in Kalaniana`ole Highway. I think the State has done in expansion of the harbor. I
<br /> think the State did a great thing in granting to the County of Hawaii that one acre next to our
<br /> park, Reed's Bay Park. We promised that we'll improve it; we're 90 percent finished. The rest
<br /> is make a retaining wall because of erosion, and put in some sand, and finish their parking lot
<br /> picnic area on the one acre lot that was given. All of this within the past few years to me. So,
<br /> you know, I look at that. I think everybody is extremely happy with the Grand Naniloa. I
<br /> thought it was great progress when the State and Grand Naniloa came to agreement in regards to
<br /> putting out to bid Uncle Billy's. Whether it be, hopefully, three to five years that we have a new
<br /> mid-scale type of hotel for the middle class. If you look at all of that, to me, that's tremendous
<br /> as far as this place here. I go down there every weekend when it's a nice day and admire the
<br /> hundreds of local people that use Reed's Bay Park, and that's not by accident. You know, that
<br /> was heavy discussion that Banyan Drive will be not a peninsula of Hilo, Banyan Drive is part of
<br /> Hilo. Look at the connection on the trails, you know, we are in discussion with State and
<br /> Kamehameha of working together to clear out the park next to Wailoa. We are going to proceed
<br /> with the expansion of the trails through Wailoa, and as I told them, to me a naturally most
<br /> beautiful place on God's earth is for a bikeway walkway. I have total confidence that the State
<br /> and Naniloa will work out and we'll have a nice mid-sized type class hotel, motel, whatever we
<br /> call it, next to Naniloa. I think I see great progress in a private ownership for the property next to
<br /> Naniloa in communication, and see and the last communication with them was they want to be
<br /> Page 12 of 17
<br /> Banyan Drive Hawaii Redevelopment Agency
<br /> July 25,2018 Minutes
<br />
|