Coconut Island Pedestrian Bridge deemed in ‘serious condition’ 4 years before collapsing in November
At the time of the report in January 2022, engineers said while the bridge had parts that were deteriorating, it still was safe enough for the public and county staff, but with limitations.
When a portion of the Moku‘ola (Coconut) Island Pedestrian Bridge collapsed 10 months ago, Hawaiʻi County already knew from a January 2022 inspection report that the structure was in “serious condition.”
The inspection, performed by Consor Engineers, determined the nearly 60-year-old bridge had extensive horizontal beam (girder) deterioration, including large spalls (fragments that have broken off).
The inspection also found exposed twisted steel cables and mild steel reinforcement bars that are supposed to be encased by the concrete to keep the bridge strong but are severed or have section loss due to corrosion.
At the time of the report, engineers deemed the bridge safe to remain open, but they advised that “large gatherings on the bridge and in the park should be prohibited to minimize people from traversing and gathering on the structure.”
The engineers also said that staff could continue to use the bridge for access to Coconut Island, including the use of maintenance carts, but staff should limit the use to one cart per span at a time. The bridge has three spans.
The bridge collapsed when a county Parks and Recreation employee drove an 8,000-pound mini-excavator over the bridge to conduct maintenance in the park. No one was seriously injured.
The engineers in 2022 recommended the bridge be repaired due to the extensive deterioration and environmental conditions. The estimated cost then was $350,000 for the design and permitting and $1 million for the repair work.
The cost to fix the portion of the bridge that collapsed in November 2025 is estimated at just under $2 million.
The bridge is located at the north end of Keli‘ipio Place in Hilo and leads to Coconut Island, which is part of the county’s popular Lili‘uokalani Gardens. The island has long been a community gathering place and the 250-foot pedestrian bridge was often used by walkers and joggers.
Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda said he knew about the 2022 report.
From what he could recall, Alameda said the prior administration under Mayor Mitch Roth had lined someone up to do a deeper dive on what needed to happen to build a new bridge, but nothing was put in writing.
While the construction of new bridge is still years away, with a price tag estimate ranging from $10 to $20 million, Alameda said a design is complete to build a temporary crossing for the collapsed portion of the Coconut Island pedestrian bridge.
The 2022 report said due to the age of the structure, then 55 years, the State Historic Preservation District will need to be consulted on the repairs/replacement of the bridge. And because of its location in the Special Management Area and other factors, several different types of permits will be needed.
Alameda is hopeful to get the project out to bid before the end of the year.
“My goal was to get access to that island as soon as possible,” Alameda said. “The only way to do that is a temporary bridge.”
The goal is to have the temporary bridge open by next summer. Alameda said once that bridge is in place, engineers will build a new bridge alongside it so access is not lost again to the island.
While designs have not been made for the new bridge, Alameda said it’s been discussed that the new structure will be higher, stronger and wider.
“It’s going to be super nice,” Alameda said in an interview with Big Island Now about the bridge in August. “I’m also asking for lights because when I went to Korea and Taiwan and Japan, those bridges light up at night.”
The lights, Alameda added, will only be considered as long as they don’t negatively impact migrating seabirds.
After the new bridge is built, the old bridge will be demolished.
