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TIM WRIGHT / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER
The front entry to Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel is seen on Jan. 7.
TIM WRIGHT / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER
Two employees walk in the back garden area of Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel on Jan. 7.
Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel will remain open under a new owner, a new name and new management.
The 145-room hotel on Hilo’s Banyan Drive was recently purchased by Honolulu-based developer Peter Savio and at midnight today will be renamed the Pagoda Hilo Bay Hotel. It will be managed by Castle Resorts & Hotels.
The announcement came on the heels of today’s state Board of Land and Natural Resources decision approving the transfer of the land lease under the hotel to Savio.
“For all intents and purposes, it will be business as usual at the property,” Savio said. “We don’t anticipate making any staffing changes at this time, and all reservations on the books will be honored. We also look forward to maintaining the local traditions established by Uncle Billy.”
The hotel initially was going to close Feb. 1 following more than 50 years in business after the family said it had exhausted its financial and emotional reserves fighting to keep the aging property in service beyond its functional capacity. The closure would have resulted in the layoffs of 27 hotel employees and 10 store workers. The hotel received a reprieve last week after Aaron Whiting, hotel manager and grandson of William J. Kimi Jr., otherwise known as Uncle Billy, said it was in negotiations with a new operator.
Peter likes them Pagoda. Here in Honolulu’s Rycroft Street, also.
Pagoda?? Can’t remember what it looks like. Does it look like a pagoda like the one in Honolulu does??
this is good news. I stayed there once, liked the aviance of the hotel, friendly people, location in Hilo.
Banyan drive has so much potential to be great again. I hope Savio is part of a long-term solution to address Banyan drive. Hard to be a tourist destination when low-income housing and apartments are part of the reality for several of the buildings that have seen better days.