State House Recognizes Hilo Lagoon Centre at 55
The Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives formally honored the Hilo Lagoon Centre on its 55th anniversary, a commemoration first planned for September.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Historical
State Representative Sue Keohokapu-Lee Loy presented a certificate of recognition from the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives to the Hilo Lagoon Centre on October 26. The honor marks the building's 55th anniversary, after a September commemoration was canceled due to concerns over Hurricane Nola.
Why it matters
The certificate recognizes the Centre's longstanding place in Hilo's history and cultural heritage, as well as its contributions to the community. It highlights the role the property has played in the city's identity across more than five decades.
The honor is documented by a State House certificate presented on October 26, marking 55 years since the property opened in 1971 as the Hilo Lagoon Hotel. The source does not indicate whether the originally planned September commemoration will be rescheduled.
The players
Sue Keohokapu-Lee Loy
Sue Keohokapu-Lee Loy is a member of the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives who presented the recognition certificate to the Centre.
The details
Rep. Keohokapu-Lee Loy presented the certificate at an on-site event attended by Hilo Lagoon Centre Building Manager Kelly Dewey, Board Member Allen Chinn, and Landscaping Committee Member K.T. Cannon-Eger. During her visit she toured a display of the building's history installed in the lobby.
Timeline
1971: The property opened as the Hilo Lagoon Hotel.
September 2026: A commemoration was planned but canceled due to Hurricane Nola.
October 26, 2026: The State House recognition certificate was presented.
Legacy Continuity
The recognition traces the property from its 1971 opening as the Hilo Lagoon Hotel to its present role as a mixed-use residential and commercial facility. The honor frames that long arc as part of Hilo's historical identity.
For Hilo residents and visitors, the recognition highlights a long-standing downtown-area property that remains in active residential and commercial use. The lobby history display offers a public view of the building's past.
The takeaway
Long-standing buildings often carry civic history that outlasts their original purpose. Recognizing that history can help residents understand how a local landmark has evolved over decades.
Further reading
Explore more local stories in the Historical section for context on Hilo's past.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Big Island Video News.
