Residents discuss ideas, concerns for proposed state wilderness park on 283 acres in Hilo

Bikini Atoll Morimba, a group of Bikini islanders and their descendants who were displaced by the testing of U.S. nuclear weapons on their island in 1946, purchased 283 acres on ʻĀkolea Road in the Kaūmana area of Hilo.

The recent plan had been to subdivide it for a commercial residential development. But after the property owners encountered difficulties executing such a project, the land now is being considered for a completely different use.

State Rep. Matthias Kusch has proposed it become a state wilderness park.

On Wedneday, he held a public meeting to discuss ideas and gather feedback for a park, which he said would be an opportunity to expand access to nature and recreation while promoting health and wellness in the community.

Kusch’s proposal includes paying the asking price of $4.5 million. If the price remains the same after an appraisal, the state would pay half and the rest of the funding would come from a matching grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Land and Water Conservation Fund.

“The state has ample capacity for $2.25 million for nearly 300 acres of land to be green space in perpetuity, which is a very good deal,” Kusch said. “The Division of State Parks is hugely supportive of this idea, especially since Boiling Pots and Rainbow Falls already have people who can service restrooms, mow and police the area. They see this as an important thing for Hilo.”

Kusch began his vision for the park after noticing the lack of safe walking paths for kids going to school and community members who enjoy walking. If someone in Hilo wanted to walk in a natural park, they would have to drive at least 45 minutes to Volcano or an hour to Kālopa State Park in Hāmākua.

“There is really nothing in town outside of what’s available on the Hilo Bayfront,” Kusch said. “This could be a place where keiki, kūpuna, families and pets can enjoy safe outdoor recreation while supporting mental, physical, cultural and environmental health.”

Some ideas he mentioned for the proposed state park include:

• A perimeter trail that could exceed 3 miles, with connector loops for all ages and abilities
• Bicycling paths that may be paved or gravel, mixed use or separate from walkers
• Leased dog-walking areas
• Picnic pavilions near scenic overlooks and natural features for gatherings and events
• Preservation of cultural sites if identified during assessment, and space for cultural practices
• A safe route to school corridor, pedestrian and bike connectivity between subdivisions
• Protection and restoration of native flora and fauna
• Habitat creation for ʻōpeʻapeʻa (Hawaiian hoary bat) and ʻio (Hawaiian hawk)
• Quiet open spaces for reflection, wellness and healing

Several neighbors to the potential park attended and asked questions during the last portion of the meeting.

While one resident living on ʻĀkolea Road supports the idea of a new park for her kids, she also expressed concerns about drug use in public restrooms and individuals experiencing homelessness around the park. She asked Kusch if he had talked to any neighbors or had plans to mitigate these issues.

Kusch said while there is an element of the unknown, “I doubt people are going to walk 600 feet up in elevation to go to the bathroom. They might. But one thing State Parks brings is Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers.”

Kusch said the community meeting was to gather public ideas and concerns that can be addressed or mitigated.

“I plan to have many more of these as we move forward,” he said.

Hawaiʻi Councy Councilmember Jenn Kagiwada asked about potential agricultural efforts such as implementing a community garden or food forests.

“If this purchase goes through, then part of my legislative ask is about $800,000 for consultants to do community outreach,” Kusch said. “They have trained planners who will go out and meet with folks to find out what you want.”

Another resident expressed support for the park due to the possibility that if the state does not purchase the land for a park, someone else could develop residences and commercial spaces instead.

“This proposed park is an option that will have an impact, but the other viable option is it getting sold to a developer for residential and commercial development,” he said. “The option of nothing happening to the land in the future is not realistic. The impact of hundreds of houses needs to be considered in comparison to a park.”

According to Kusch, the land was recently listed for sale at $4.5 million, but the listing appears to have been removed. He said he’s been in talks with representatives of the owners, and a request to delist the property is part of the negotiations.

“That’s the first step,” Kusch said. “That’ll give lawmakers confidence that the purchase can go through and they won’t have to put a lot of time, energy and potentially taxpayer dollars towards something they may not be able to purchase.”

The State Legislature will find out in the upcoming session whether the park is in Gov. Josh Green’s proposed budget, Kusch said. He will then introduce a bill for the park and push it through committees.

A portion of the meeting discussed how to sign up and testify at the State Legislature sessions when the time comes.

For specific questions, concerns and ideas regarding the Hilo Wilderness Park, Kusch encourages residents to email him at repkusch@capitol.hawaii.gov.