Banyan Drive Redevelopment Bills Advance in Hawaii Legislature

Legislation to revitalize Hilo's historic Banyan Drive area faces debate over indigenous representation

Feb. 22, 2026 at 10:05am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Legislation to facilitate the redevelopment of Hilo's Banyan Drive area, once a crown jewel of East Hawaii but now dilapidated, is advancing in the Hawaii state legislature. However, the bills have faced contention, with debates over the inclusion of lineal descendants of the area in the decision-making process.

Why it matters

The Banyan Drive area holds significant cultural and historical importance for the local community, and its redevelopment is seen as crucial for revitalizing Hilo. The debate over indigenous representation in the redevelopment process highlights the ongoing tensions between development and preserving the rights and voices of native Hawaiians.

The details

The House Bill 2616, introduced by Rep. Chris Todd, passed the Water and Land Committee with amendments, including the removal of a lineal descendant as a voting member of the district authority. Instead, an advisory committee with at least one lineal or cultural descendant would be created. The Senate Bill 2001, introduced by Sen. Lorraine Inouye, was deferred and its provisions merged into another bill. Testifiers have expressed a preference for HB 2616 over SB 2001 due to the inclusion of a lineal descendant as a voting member. The bills also propose renaming the Banyan Drive-Makaoku Community Development District to the Waiakea Community Development District.

  • The House Bill 2616 passed the Water and Land Committee on Tuesday.
  • The Senate Bill 2001 was deferred by a joint session of the Senate Water, Land and Culture and the Arts and Economic Development and Tourism committees on Thursday.

The players

Rep. Chris Todd

The introducer of House Bill 2616.

Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto

The sole dissenting vote on House Bill 2616 in the Water and Land Committee, objecting to the removal of a lineal descendant as a voting member.

Craig Nakamoto

The executive director of the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA), who testified that the 'master planning effort for Banyan Drive' is ongoing.

James McCully

The chairman of the county's appointed Banyan Drive Hawaii Redevelopment Agency, who testified about the need for more flexible land tenure provisions.

Kanoeuluwehianuhea Case

The co-founder of Na Wai Ho'ola Nui La'au Lapa'au, who voiced opposition to the exclusion of lineal descendants from the voting body in the Senate Bill 2001.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I hope that you folks would appreciate that we would like to be a voting member, not part of an advisory group. And I think if we can do this as a lahui and community to recognize our voices, we would greatly appreciate that for our kupuna.”

— Kanoeuluwehianuhea Case, Co-founder, Na Wai Ho'ola Nui La'au Lapa'au

“Every time we put the money before culture … putting the cart before the horse, that is not acceptable. The way you feel, that it's OK to supersede the Hawaiian people by making them an advisory board, you see what I'm saying? You continue to do that, especially on that island.”

— Sen. Kurt Fevella, GOP committee member

What’s next

House Bill 2616 would need to be approved for appropriations by the House Finance Committee and pass another floor vote of the full House to advance to the Senate. The committee has not yet scheduled a hearing for the legislation. Senate Bill 2692, a measure to acquire the Grand Naniloa Golf Course property by eminent domain, has passed the Senate Water and Land Committee and now goes to the Ways and Means Committee.

The takeaway

The debate over the Banyan Drive redevelopment bills highlights the ongoing tensions between development and the preservation of indigenous rights and voices in Hawaii. The outcome of these legislative efforts will have significant implications for the future of this culturally significant area and the role of native Hawaiians in shaping its future.