KAILUA-KONA — The Kailua Village Business Improvement District is looking for a consultant to help revitalize Hale Halawai.
Proposals for the project opened Friday.
Hale Halawai, just south of the Kona Inn Shopping Village on Alii Drive, is managed by the County of Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation and is a popular site for local events and programs, including regular performances by the West Hawaii County Band.
The park’s importance to the community hasn’t gone unrecognized by the Kailua Village Business Improvement District, chair and president Jane Clement said.
“It really celebrates our heritage and sense of place right in the middle of Kailua,” she said, adding that parks and public spaces are tangible reflections of their community.
Parks can improve residents’ well-being and build connections among those who live and work in the area. The request for proposals is the first step in the effort to learn and explore the community’s vision for what Hale Halawai is as well as what it can become.
“This is really sort of a visioning exercise,” Clement said.
The Kailua Village Business Improvement District, created through a county ordinance in 2007, focuses on the economic, environmental and social sustainability of Historic Kailua Village as well as supporting and promoting programs toward those ends.
It’s led by a 15-member board, including an executive director, representing local government, businesses, property owners and residents.
The transformation of Hale Halawai through a partnership with the county is one of the long-term objectives the Business Improvement District identified in its five-year strategic plan from 2013.
That objective includes establishing a proposal to redevelop Hale Halawai, presenting that proposal to the county and discussion on how to implement design and construction.
The budget for this step in the process isn’t to exceed $45,000, according to the request for proposal, and will be wholly funded by the Business Improvement District.
Clement said it’s too early to speculate on a finalized vision for Hale Halawai, saying that’s going to be up to the stakeholders, including policymakers, agencies and the public.
Those interested in submitting a proposal should include how they’ll approach an understanding of the different roles of those involved as well as creating a “visioning process” for stakeholders.
They should also include their professional qualifications and work experience as well as a proposed timeline and fee for the scope of services.
Full details about the request for proposal can be found at the Business Improvement District’s website, www.historickailuavillage.com, in the home page’s left sidebar at the link labeled “Hale Halawai RFP.”
Proposals are due by Oct. 5 and should be delivered to Debbie Baker at 75-5751 Kuakini Highway #202 in Kailua-Kona. They can also be sent electronically to kailuavillage@gmail.com.
Proposals will be evaluated by the Business Improvement District’s placemaking committee before the board of directors makes the final selection, according to a release.
The estimated start date for the selected consultant is Oct. 19.