Hawai‘i County seeks contractor to offer concessions at Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area

Hawai‘i County wants to upgrade Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area just off Daniel K. Inouye Highway, also known as Saddle Road, with even more services for community members and visitors traveling across the island as well as people staying at the park.

Qualified contractors are invited to submit bids for offering food and beverages as well as provide additional services from the park’s former headquarters building.

“This is an exciting opportunity that can benefit many people in our community, including travelers making the journey on Saddle Road and campers staying in the cabins at Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area,” said Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda in announcing the bid invitation. “It also has the potential to be a great business opportunity for the right entrepreneur, and we hope to receive many qualified applications.”

The 2,350-square-foot former park headquarters building includes an equipped kitchen, restrooms, a main room, office space and storage space.

Detailed specifications, requirements for bidders and important dates in the bid process are included in the invitation for bids.

Among the requirements, the contractor will:

• Open the facility for business daily, beginning no later than 6 a.m. and closing no earlier than 8 p.m.
• Offer at least one hot meal during certain hours and sell other refreshments.
• Sell and rent items that benefit campers at the cabins.
• Provide key management services for bunkhouse units, cabin units, the dining hall and other facilities.

The contract term would be 2 years, with the potential for renewal for up to three additional 1-year periods.

Timeline

• Pre-bid site visits (non-mandatory): Noon March 31 and April 7.
• Question submission deadline: 11:59 p.m. April 7.
• Notice of intention to bid (notarized) deadline: 4:30 p.m. April 24.
• Bid bonds deadline: 2 p.m. April 30.
• Submission deadline: 2 p.m. April 30.

Visit the Hawai‘i County Purchasing Division web page or contact Hawai‘i County Purchasing Agent Stephanie Letro at 808-961-8231 for additional information or with any questions.