Nearly four years after engineers rated Coconut Island’s only pedestrian bridge in serious condition, an 8,000-pound county excavator helped collapse it; Hawaii now faces up to $22 million to restore access
The financial jump has become one of the biggest points of concern. The earlier $1.35 million figure represented repairs to the existing structure, while the current proposal involves building a new permanent crossing. For years, the short walk to Coconut Island in Hilo was part of the rhythm of visiting the waterfront. Then the bridge…