On Monday, May 15, the Hawaiʻi County Office of Housing and Community Development will host a community meeting to gather input and recommendations in order to develop a master plan for the old Hilo Memorial Hospital site at 34 Rainbow Drive.

The meeting will take place in the Aupuni Center conference room from 5pm to 6pm.

Opened in 1897, Hilo Memorial Hospital served the community’s healthcare needs until the 1950s, when Hilo Hospital opened on the grounds of what is currently Hilo Medical Center. Old Hilo Memorial Hospital and the 25-acre parcel it sits on are now under the management of the County by way of a governor’s executive order.

Since the closure of Hilo Memorial Hospital, various agencies and entities have occupied the facility. Currently leasing space in the building are Big Island Substance Abuse Council and HOPE Services. Hope Services, since late 2019, has operated its portion of the building as Keolahou, an emergency shelter, and Hale Kūlike, a permanent supportive housing program serving single men.

With the existing hospital in use and a firm contracted for its renovations, the County is working with a consultant to develop a master plan for the remaining 20 acres surrounding the old hospital. The site, situated between Rainbow Drive and Wailuku River, is located below Rainbow Falls and above Gilbert Carvalho Park.

The master plan for the undeveloped portions of the property will help to determine the future uses of the site, including the number of affordable housing units and/or services that could be offered.

Photo credit: County of Hawaiʻi