Nearly two decades ago, the Hilo Bayfront Trails project laid out a vision to better connect the Hilo area through a network of multi-use trails – linking downtown to the harbor and passing through the scenic Wailoa River State Recreation Area and Lili‘uokalani Gardens.

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Nearly two decades ago, the Hilo Bayfront Trails project laid out a vision to better connect the Hilo area through a network of multi-use trails – linking downtown to the harbor and passing through the scenic Wailoa River State Recreation Area and Lili‘uokalani Gardens.

Since then, about two miles of trail have been completed in various phases by the state and county. Hilo Bayfront Trails, the nonprofit organization spearheading the effort, is continuing to push for more, and hopes work will begin on the Wailoa park section of the trail this year.

HBT Board President Ron Terry said approximately $3 million in funding was allocated by the state Legislature last year for Wailoa park, and there are plans for a portion of that to go toward trails. He said HTB is also in the process of securing a grant to match that amount through the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund.

“What we would like to do with that is build about a mile of trail in the western part of Wailoa park,” he said. “We have part of the design already complete that we paid for out of our own funds, and the remainder is going to be designed by a firm that’s already under contract to the State Parks Division, and they will be designing a trail, along with some amenities, such as pavilions and picnic benches, and other things that state parks need.”

The trail is designed to run through a part of the park which Terry said is currently underutilized.

“It’s in the area by the Wailoa Art Center, the tsunami memorial, extending almost up to Kilauea Avenue, and then also the area of the park behind Cafe 100,” he said. “We often joke that the only people who use that park there are the guys who mow the grass.”

He said he hopes this section of the trail will be ready for use within the next two years. That would leave only one big section of the trail left to complete: Waiakea Peninsula and Banyan Drive, which includes the popular Lili‘uokalani Gardens.

According to data from a trail counter along the road that runs through the gardens, installed and managed by HBT Treasurer James Eller, an average of 931 people pass through every day. However, Terry said there is not a designated trail for biking and other recreational use.

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“You can ride on the sidewalk, but the sidewalk is really bumpy and slippery, and it’s full of people walking sometimes, so we need a real multi-use path,” he said. “The path (would be) for walkers, runners, bikers, scooters and you can cruise in your wheelchair there, too.”

Terry said this section has proven challenging to realize amid uncertainty about the future of the area, which is undergoing redevelopment planning. He and HBT are working to ensure that the trail is included in the plans.

“We have made presentations before the Banyan Drive Redevelopment Agency, and we’re also coordinating with the Hawaii Community Development Authority, which is a state agency that is sort of overseeing this process,” he said. “We hope to be involved in the Waiakea Peninsula master plan that is getting underway seriously in the next six months.”

Once this core trail system is complete, Terry said the organization has hopes to expand further and connect the trail to the University of Hawaii at Hilo and the Hilo Benioff Medical Center.

State Rep. Matthias Kusch, whose district includes Hilo, previously served as HBT president and has continued to advocate and work to secure funding for the project in the Legislature.

“I’m super supportive in any way I can, and mainly my role has been to work with (the Department of Land and Natural Resources) and just make sure this rolls out as expeditiously as possible,” he said.

He said that while it is taking time, he sees the vision for the trail moving forward and gradually coming together, segment by segment.

“You got to pick the fruit you can pick, right? Bayfront Trails was a little bit disjointed when it started out, but we’re slowly filling it in,” he said. “It’s like you’re stitching together these parts.”

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Email Grace Inez Adams at [email protected].