Plans to renovate the old Hilo Memorial Hospital are moving forward.
Hawai‘i County's Office of Housing and Community Development is seeking bids from developers for the first phase of renovations on the century-old building.
The work is part of a long-term plan to establish a "coordinated resource hub" focused on housing stabilization, workforce readiness, behavioral health and other wrap-around services, the county said last week.
The former hospital is located at 34 Rainbow Dr. in Hilo on about 25 acres owned by the state and managed by Hawai‘i County through an executive order.
Work to be completed during phase one includes re-roofing the main structure, the safe removal of hazardous materials and the selective removal of invasive trees to prevent future damage to the foundation, a recent announcement from the county noted.
Housing Administrator Kehaulani Costa said in that announcement that the project is a "critical investment in the future of housing and homeless services in East Hawai‘i."
In an emailed response to questions, Costa told Aloha State Daily that OHCD has been working toward this renovation since 2022.
"Reaching the 'invitation for bid' stage is both exciting and deeply meaningful," she says. "It reflects years of planning, collaboration and commitment to restoring this community pillar so it can once again serve residents and strengthen our island's housing and homeless services network."
Costa says that $16.6 million in federal grants — secured by U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono — is anticipated to cover the first phase of work but the county is awaiting the results from the bid process to confirm the final costs.
"We remain committed to breaking ground on this critical project this fall, marking an important milestone in restoring the old Hilo Memorial Hospital site," she continued.
Future phases of work will include selective upgrades to electric and mechanical systems, including fire sprinklers, alarms, elevators and ADA compliance; interior improvements like new flooring and windows; and repairs to exterior finishes and painting, the county noted.
Costa, however, says that advancing to phase two depends on securing necessary funding.
"Planning for this next stage is already underway alongside phase one, so when funding is available, we will be ready to move forward without delay," she told ASD.
Currently, the site houses Keolahou, a 44-bed emergency shelter and assessment center for single men; and Hale Kulike, a 17-bed permanent supportive housing program, both of which are operated by nonprofit Hope Services Hawai‘i, the island's largest homeless services provider.
The three-story former hospital was originally built in two phases a century ago — between 1922 and 1924 — with a third phase completed in 1929, according to a final environmental assessment for the renovation project published in April 2024.
It's comprised of three main structures. Ward A, or the mauka wing, was constructed in the first phase; a central administration building, or core, in the second; and Ward B, or the makai wing, in the third.
According to the EA, the initial design of the building came from architect Afong Heen, while subsequent architects, including C.W. Dickey (who helped design the Alexander & Baldwin building in Downtown Honolulu) "designed the rest of the hospital building in kind."
"The majority of the former Hilo Memorial Hospital building retains its historic integrity of design, feeling, location and setting," the EA, which can be found here, noted. "The non-historic 1980s interior renovation and roof replacement have negatively altered the integrity of material in those specific areas. Though many areas of workmanship remain, specific areas of the building, including areas with the original roofing material, the original wood roof eaves, and non-historic metal roof, are deteriorated due to neglect or weathering, and result in an overall loss of integrity of workmanship. The building lacks integrity of association with the Hilo Memorial Hospital in its period of significance due to the altered roof material and interior renovations."
Costa says the hospital closed in 1961 and housed various programs and agencies, from the Peace Corps to county offices, in the decades that followed. It was repurposed in 2019 for Keolahou.
"This renovation builds on that legacy, ensuring the site can continue to serve the community for decades to come."
According to the county, work is expected to begin this fall and be finished in about six months.
Bids are due by 2 p.m. Sept. 25 through the Public Purchase System.
You can find the latest updates about the project here.
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Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
