Kaipalaoa Landing seen from the Hilo Bayfront

HILO, Hawaii – An effort to improve Kaipalaoa Landing, a historic site and favorite surf spot in Downtown Hilo, was celebrated on Thursday.

According to Mayor Billy Kenoi’s website, members of Mālama Kaipalaoa, a community working group, joined County officials at a July 23 ceremony to celebrate improvements to the park.

Mālama Kaipalaoa & County Officials on July 23, 2015. Photo courtesy the office Mayor Billy Kenoi.

According to the County:

This project will repair damaged rock walls and restore eroded areas for long term integrity of the site, install new grassing and pavers, an accessible walkway, showers, and picnic tables.

Mālama Kaipalaoa, a community working group led by surfer and businessman Stan Lawrence, has been caring for the landing since 2009. The half-acre park was transferred from the state to the County of Hawai‘i in 2013.

Planning and design for the project was done pro bono by Ron Terry (Geometrician Associates), David Imata (Imata & Associates), Leonard Bisel & Meredith Komata (B+K Design Group, formerly Leonard Bisel & Associates). The $349,000 in improvements will be completed by contractor William Kapololu, Jr. by December 2015. – website of Mayor Billy Kenoi on July 23, 2015