HILO — Lawmakers still have a mixed plate before them when it comes to encouraging redevelopment on state land in Hilo.
Four bills have passed the state House or Senate that seek to improve the Banyan Drive area, home to several hotels and condominiums, or the Kanoelehua Industrial Area, both compromised primarily of public land leases.
They require passage in both chambers and Gov. David Ige’s signature to become law.
Here’s a breakdown of the legislation as they stood Thursday:
• Senate Bill 2972: Introduced by Sen. Kai Kahele, D-Hilo, this bill would direct 10 percent of the state’s lease revenue on the Waiakea Peninsula, where Banyan Drive is located, to support redevelopment efforts there. The state also would assist Hawaii County, which established its own redevelopment district for the area, with funding a redevelopment plan, plus studies to support it. The county would provide matching funds.
• House Bill 2641: Introduced by Rep. Chris Todd, D-Hilo, this bill would create a 10-year redevelopment district pilot project that includes the Waiakea Peninsula and KIA. The program would set guidelines for state land leases and plan for districtwide improvements. Seven members of the nine-member district would be appointed by the governor and must be Hawaii County residents. The chairperson of the Department of Land and Natural Resources and county planning director also would be members.
• House Bill 2073: Introduced by Rep. Mark Nakashima, D-Hamakua, this bill also would create a pilot project for those areas. In addition, it would exempt construction of nonresidential uses from the general excise tax in the project area.
• Senate Bill 3058: Introduced by Kahele, this bill would designate the Waiakea Peninsula as a redevelopment district and create a planning committee and revolving fund. This also would have a nine-member committee, which would create a redevelopment plan and would appear to replace the county’s existing redevelopment board.
The county’s redevelopment group for Banyan Drive created a conceptual plan in 2016, but the effort has stalled without funding to do all the studies to support it.
Brian De Lima, who chairs the group, said he is interested in any legislation that improves the area.
“The bottom line is we’re interested in doing what’s best for Hilo,” he said. “Whatever process would facilitate that, that’s what the Legislature has to determine.”
De Lima said a master plan, plus the accompanying environmental studies, would make it easier for businesses to invest there, in addition to laying out a vision for the future.
“It would facilitate plan approvals,” he said. “A lot of times development projects take so long for permitting to be approved.”
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
