Uncle Billy's Hilo Bay Hotel Closing

[macuu222]

Amazing. I can understand why but for me it has so many memories that it will just seem weird not being there anymore.

http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/news...lose-feb-1

[Tink]

Don't want to poke a shark but lease is from state, homeless problem on Oahu, seems kinda sketchy...

Community begins with Aloha

[Chunkster]

I just read one an all time classic review of Uncle Billy's on tripadvisor.com and can't stop laughing. Scroll down to "THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SHOULD SHUT UNCLE HILLBILLY'S DOWN!” (their caps, not mine):

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-...ml#REVIEWS

[terracore]

"The hotel received a one-year lease extension from the state that will expire in March. Afterward, it would become a month-to-month revocable permit."

In other words, it hasn't made any sense to spend money on basic maintenance much less fix the place up. I'm surprised it stayed open as long as it did. Sad that the state is not interested in solutions.

[kalakoa]

Sad that the state is not interested in solutions.

Just another manifestation of the "no home rule", State can simply mismanage prime real estate that might ever compete with Waikiki.

Fantasy: Counties sue State to regain "home rule" by eliminating State's magical "carve-outs" that are somehow not part of the all-encompassing County.

Side effect: County has to include all traffic deaths in the "official" figures.

[pahoated]

Never stayed there but it didn't sound too good. The state is only complying with the surrender agreement from Queen Kapiolani, that the royal lands become stewardships of the new republic with 99 year leases. In becoming a state, that agreement with the republic was transferred over to the state.

Again, this will never get through thick skulls, but this is more a result of circumstance than some evil, incompetent government plot. Uncle Billy's is an old place, they haven't indicated ability to teardown, the uncertainty of the lease makes it a risky investment. The state is really looking for an investor that will do a teardown and new build on a new 99 year lease. With construction costs these days, the payback on a top-tier hotel may never happen, in fact, with the east side tourist demographic, it might mean huge losses to the investor.

"Aloha also means goodbye. Aloha!"

[dmbwest]

Is it just me or does anyone else feel that Ted's recent, on-a-bender, posts are becoming more and more "tilting" ?

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

recent, on-a-bender, posts are becoming more and more "tilting" ?

There's no up or down in space.
Call in on the radio though, and eventually you'll find yourself over and out.

Pahoa, we have a problem.

[Punatic007]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chunkster

I just read one an all time classic review of Uncle Billy's on tripadvisor.com and can't stop laughing. Scroll down to "THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SHOULD SHUT UNCLE HILLBILLY'S DOWN!” (their caps, not mine):

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-...ml#REVIEWS

---

That review is hilarious, and the more that I think about it, Uncle Billy's really isn't all that fantatic of a contribution to the Big Island. I recall reserving a room at Kona Uncle Billy's and the mold/fungus in the carpet was severe, the stench was horrid. Then to add to the insanity we had to argue with the manager to not be charged for the night even though we refused to stay.

Then I recalled that in my early 20's I worked at the Hilo Uncle Billy's for a few months, one of the few caucasians employees, and it was also horrid. Extremely racist mgmnt, and all Uncle Billy himself could do was hit on me when I tried to explain to him what was going on during one of his daily hit on me sessions.

Yeah, good riddance Uncle Billy's, even if it's a few decades overdue.

[EightFingers]

Stayed there a few times (!) have some interesting memories...
One night was like being at a porno with no visuals only sounds. Another one is the pog we got for breakfast in the morning, I bet it was watered down at least three to one....