Banyan Drive is a huge opportunity for Hilo's visitor industry to thrive once again. Visitors would love to stay closer to what is far and away the most popular attraction on our island, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and the other great sites on the east side. But Hilo doesn't have the quality hotel options needed. Mayor Kenoi's administration (with Wally Lau as managing director) pushed to get some County leadership over the area - and they succeeded in reactivating a long-dormant redevelopment authority. They're moving forward with planning the revitalization.

At the forum where Civil Beat was present, Harry Kim called the Banyan Drive area a "headache" and no different than an industrial area.

That's not the kind of mayor I want to be in charge of economic development. That's why I'm voting for Wally Lau.