Downtown Hilo post office, HVO site among possible federal cuts

A historic building in Hilo could be sold or closed amidst cutbacks by the Trump administration.

The U.S. General Services Administration on Tuesday published a list of buildings and facilities deemed “not core to government operations, or non-core properties” that have been designated for possible sale or closure.

The list — more than 400 entries long — includes the historic Federal Building, U.S. Post Office and Courthouse in downtown Hilo on Waianuenue Avenue.

The building was constructed in 1917 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency published its own list of office leases targeted for cancellation, which included three other Hilo properties.

The list does not include addresses, but those Hilo leases are for a 10,731 square-foot office for the U.S. Geological Survey, a 4,638-square foot office for the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, and a 1,427 square-foot office for the Internal Revenue Service.

A separate list by the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources specifically names the Hilo Iron Works Building as a lease that would be impacted by the cuts. USGS’ Hawaiian Volcano Observatory currently has its temporary headquarters at that building.

USGS representatives did not respond to multiple requests for comment.