KAILUA-KONA — The dust won’t settle on the old Keauhou Beach Hotel demolition until the end of the calendar year, but the project continues to outpace its original timeline, currently operating two to three weeks ahead of schedule.
Kaimana Barcarse, Kamehameha Schools West Hawaii regional director, said construction crews had pulled down more than two-thirds of the hotel as of Tuesday, including the mauka section nearest Alii Drive and the parts of the structure located either in the ocean or over it.
“The only portion currently standing is the center of the building where the old elevator shaft is located. Work on dismantling the remaining exterior hotel structure will be completed this month,” he added. “Demolition final clean-up and restoration will follow, completing the hotel structural-related demolition scope of work by June 2018.”
Crews are processing the concrete accumulated from the demolition on-site and recycling it for use as general fill, pavement aggregate or possibly for drainage improvement.
Barcarse said the next phase will entail ground stabilization and civil demolition — such as adding asphalt, general landscaping and the re-establishment of utilities to the Kalani Kai structure.
Kamehameha Schools, which owns the land, intends to repurpose the site of the longtime landmark into an educational center called Kahaluu Ma Kai, which will focus on Native Hawaiian, aina-based STEM and arts education for keiki and kupuna, alike.
“Once ground stabilization and other civil work is completed and the site is safe, we intend to bring haumana back to this aina for educational programs,” Barcarse said.
A few residents in the immediate area have noted dust cover from construction operations. Barcarse said dust mitigation efforts continue, which include regularly wetting down the site.
“While activity at the site will continue to occur until the end of the year, the dust risk will be reduced once the entire structure is down,” Barcarse said.
He thanked the public for their patience during the demolition period and reiterated the importance of staying clear of the site for safety purposes.
The Keauhou Beach Hotel was built in 1969 and was open for more than four decades before being shuttered in October 2012 after operating at a financial loss for several years. Bishop Holdings Corp., a subsidiary of Kamehameha Schools, purchased the property for $26.75 million in 2004, eight years before its closing.
Barcarse added if any community members have questions, concerns or complaints, they can send an email to constructioninfo@ksbe.edu or call 982-0846.