BUSINESS

DHHL Unveils 146 Acre Business Park Plan

PUBLISHED Oct 11, 2026, 6:22 AM ET

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The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands unveiled a conceptual plan for a new business park in the Panaʻewa area of Hilo on October eighth, two thousand twenty‑six. The proposal covers one hundred forty‑six acres along Railroad Avenue and aims to create a mixed‑use development with commercial and residential components. Local residents and business leaders attended a community meeting to discuss zoning, infrastructure upgrades, and potential job opportunities. The plan follows a history of Panaʻewa’s growth, from the zoo opened in nineteen sixty‑eight to the park’s opening in nineteen seventy‑eight, and reflects Hilo’s ongoing push for diversified economic development. If approved, the project could bring new businesses, housing, and public amenities to the region, boosting the local economy and providing a catalyst for future investment.

By Marcus E. | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

1968 — Zoo opened on two‑acre site next to Onekahakaha Beach Park

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