‘Hard’ demolition underway of Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel following inauspicious start

It was an inauspicious start Monday to “hard” demolition of the condemned and dilapidated iconic Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel on Banyan Drive in Hilo.

The Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources said that as heavy equipment and operators patiently stood by to begin demo of what remains of the building, construction managers tried for more than an hour to find the owner of a car parked in a coned and taped-off section of an adjacent hotel.

They were concerned that once an excavator began knocking the first of two concrete structures down, debris could fall onto the vehicle. Eventually, the car’s owner came out and moved it.

About 15 minutes into the demolition of the first hotel wing, however, another complication reared its head when the excavator sprung a hydraulic leak, shutting down demo again.

Barring any further interruptions, it’s expected both wings will be brought to the ground within the next month.

The hard demolition is nearing the final chapter of the saga of the once celebrated hotel and resort, originally built in the mid-1960s.

Hawai‘i County condemned the structure in 2017, citing public safety and health concerns. Since then, numerous arsons and law enforcement sweeps of squatters added to the dilapidated specter of the former resort sandwiched between two of Hilo’s best known hotels.

The state Land Department’s Land Division made numerous attempts to award a lease for renovation or demolition of Uncle Billy’s, but the state and private developers never came to terms.

Hawai’i Gov. Josh Green issued an emergency proclamation last year, allowing phase one of demolition to begin.

Phase two will address removal of the paved sections of the property and any contaminated soil.

Department of Land and Natural Resources Chairwoman Dawn Chang visited the construction site late last week with county and state elected officials.

“I’d like to acknowledge the progress from a year ago, in addressing a public health and safety hazard, complaints, unauthorized occupants and significant community frustration,” said Chang. “This could not have happened without the governor’s emergency proclamation and the collaboration of the state and Hawai‘i County. Isemoto Contracting has stayed on schedule and within the state’s budget.”

The ultimate use of the 4-acre parcel has not been determined, but like many others, Nathan Kurohara, who is leading the demolition project for Isemoto Contracting, would like to see it developed into a public place for people to come and enjoy.

“I hope they don’t make it a parking lot,” he said.

The wooden lobby and restaurant structure were demolished several weeks ago, and because of an agreement with the county, any wood or concrete debris must be cut into pieces smaller than 1 foot for disposal at the county landfill.

In addition, as much of the concrete waste as possible will be diverted away from the landfill and will be crushed and recycled.

Combined, these measures significantly reduce the amount of landfill space needed for the project.

The arm of the excavator looks like something out of a “Terminator” movie. Piece by piece and section by section, it grabs concrete and steel in its teeth and rips it away.

Water hoses are trained on the excavator to help keep the dust down.

Plastic still covered one wing of the hotel Monday as demo crews waited for final air clearance that asbestos was successfully removed from the building.

Chang noted the patience of the community, adding the demolition of the historic and once iconic Uncle Billy’s is leading toward a future of great potential — to be determined.