Video by David Corrigan, voice of Sherry Bracken

HILO, Hawaii – Government officials gathered at the Mo‘oheau Park Bandstand in Hilo on Tuesday, before breaking ground on Phase 1 of the Hilo Bayfront Trails project. According to Hawaii County:

“Two interconnected sections will extend from Mo‘oheau Park Bandstand to the canoe-storage area at Hilo Bayfront Beach Park. A third segment will start at the terminus of Kumu Street, run though the soccer fields mauka of Kamehameha Avenue, and end at Pauahi Street.

The Department of Parks and Recreation has obtained a $345,743 grant from the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund’s State and Local Assistance Program and has committed $25,000 from its own budget to subside the purchase of materials. Hilo Bayfront Trails’ members will build the trail utilizing volunteer labor.” – Hawaii County media release

Image courtesy the County of Hawaii

Mayor Billy Kenoi, state Sens. Gilbert Kahele and Lorraine Inouye, and Hilo CouncilmanDennis “Fresh” Onishi were among the dignitaries who praised the project’s benefits during the groundbreaking ceremony. Pastor Evan Carmichael of the Church on a Sure Foundation delivered the prayer. Photo courtesy Hawaii County Dept. of Parks and Recreation

“The ceremony culminated a 10-year County and community effort to develop a walking and bicycling path that showcases Hilo Bay and Mauna Kea, while also meeting the diverse recreational needs of a growing population. Trail development was listed as a top priority by 56 percent of the people who participated in a 2008 public recreation user survey.” – Hawaii County media release

Big Island Video News spoke to the President of the Hilo Bayfront Trails Board of Directors, Peter Kubota, about the strat of this long awaited project.

There is also a new website for the project: hilobayfronttrails.org