If you live on the Big Island of Hawaii, I am sure you’ve heard by now, about the demolition of the iconic old hotel Uncle Billy’s, located along the famous Banyan Drive in Hilo. Uncle Billy’s carries with it a legacy of fun times and fond memories for so many people. Both locals and those visiting from afar. It’s a time capsule of Hawaii from years past.

But what once used to be a bustling tourist hot-spot has, for a long period of time now, been a place for squatting and refuge for the homeless, bringing with it an array of less than ideal circumstances. Drug use and vandalism have also plagued the once popular destination. And for many years, the spot remained untouched. The future of Uncle Billy’s seemed completely unknown.

Recently, however, Governor Josh Green signed a bill giving the city the authority to tear the whole building down. One would assume that this would be done, in the hopes of replacing it with something better. Possibly something that would drive in new business to help the local economy. However, that does not appear to be the case. The location has officially been demolished, but with no game plan on what to do next. There are many good ideas from the citizens and officials, with great potential for something new and exciting. But for now, the site of the former Uncle Billy’s remains uncertain.