Yesterday, the County of Hawaiʻi held a blessing for an interim fire station, located at 1382 Kīlauea Avenue, that will relocate personnel and equipment from the Central Fire Station as repairs are made to the downtown Hilo facility.

The temporary station will begin operating in early May.

In a press release Mayor Alameda said, “This interim fire station represents our commitment to both public safety and the wellbeing of our firefighters. Through this transition, we’re ensuring that our first responders have the resources they need to do their jobs effectively, while we plan for a long-term solution that serves the community for generations to come.”

Built in 1939, the Central Fire Station at 466 Kinoʻole St. is the County’s oldest and needs significant repairs.

Following the relocation, maintenance work will focus on preserving the integrity of the building’s exterior. That project – which involves replacing the roof, repairing the plaster coating on the exterior walls, structural repairs to the hose tower, and removing most of the plaster from the ceiling – is anticipated to begin in August and take about one year to complete.

During this transition, the County will continue to assess plans for the Central Fire Station’s future, including the need for additional safety improvements and renovations.

Prior to the move, improvements were made to the temporary location such as adding showers, a dorm area, and other upgrades. The County is leasing the facility for five years with options to extend it twice by five-year terms.

No emergency services will be available at the Central Fire Station following the relocation.

 

Photo credit: Office of Mayor Kimo Alameda