HomeMy WebLinkAbout34 Rainbow Drive Community Meeting May 15
MITCH D. ROTH
MAYOR
April 25, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Community Meeting Scheduled May 15 for 34 Rainbow Drive Project
Input and Recommendations Sought for Master Plan for Old Hilo Memorial Hospital Site
The Hawaiʻi County Office of Housing and Community Development will host a
community meeting on May 15, 2023, to gather input and recommendations for the
development of a master plan for the old Hilo Memorial Hospital site at 34 Rainbow
Drive.
Residents, service providers, stakeholders and other interested parties are encouraged
to come have their say in the future of the property from 5 to 6 p.m. May 15, 2023, in the
Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo.
Opened in 1897, Hilo Memorial Hospital served the community’s health care needs until
the 1950s when Hilo Hospital opened on the grounds of what is today Hilo Medical
Center. Old Hilo Memorial Hospital and the 25-acre parcel it sits on are now under the
management of the County by way of a governor’s executive order.
Since the closure of Hilo Memorial Hospital, various agencies and entities have
occupied the facility. Currently leasing space in the building are Big Island Substance
Abuse Council and HOPE Services. Hope Services since late 2019 has operated its
portion of the building as Keolahou, an emergency shelter, and Hale Kūlike, a
permanent supportive housing program serving single men.
With the existing hospital in use and a firm contracted for its rennovations, the County is
now working with a consultant to develop a master plan for the remaining 20 acres
surrounding the old hospital. The site, situated between Rainbow Drive and Wailuku
River, is located below Rainbow Falls and above Gilbert Carvalho Park.
The master plan for the undeveloped portions of the property will help to determine the
future uses of the site, including the number of affordable housing units and/or services
that could be offered.
“Community input is critical to the success of any project, and gathering this information
early on in the planning process will help the Hawaiʻi County Office of Housing and
Community Development ensure the 34 Rainbow Drive project reponds to and meets
the community’s needs,” said Housing Administrator Susan Kunz.
To request an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, contact
Ian Pitts of Fung Associates, LLC, at (808) 941-3000.
The Hawai’i County Office of Housing and Community Development is responsible for
the planning, administration, and operation of all County of Hawai’i housing programs.
Our Mission is to provide for the development of viable communities through decent
housing, suitable living environments and expanded economic opportunities.
Caption: The Hawaiʻi County Office of Housing and Community Development will host
a community meeting May 15 to gather input and recommendations for the
development of a master plan for the old Hilo Memorial Hospital site at 34 Rainbow
Drive. The 25-acre parcel, which includes the former hospital, is seen in this aerial
photo. For reference, the road at left is Rainbow Drive and Rainbow Falls is situated in
the upper left quadrant of the photo. Photo courtesy of the County of Hawaiʻi.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Chelsea Jensen
Public Information Officer
Hawai’i County Office of Housing and Community Development
ChelseaA.Jensen@hawaiicounty.gov
(808) 932-5944