One of Hilo’s oldest buildings shines on Mamo Street

Built in 1946, Hilo’s Smallwood Building is one of the oldest buildings surviving the devastating 1960 tsunami that struck Hilo Bay. The wooden two-story building currently provides street level space for local small businesses with residential apartments on the second floor. Owners Michael and Supaporn Smallwood received a grant from Historic Hawai‘i Foundation’s Hilo Preservation Program to rehabilitate the structural integrity of the building focusing on the roofing, repainting the exterior, and rebuilding windows. The leaky roof was considered a threat to the integrity of the structure as water, extra moisture, and humidity would further damage the interior of the building. Working with the owners, contractor Bill Elaban of Innovative Island Construction LLC managed the project. The work began during COVID and experienced delays, like many other construction and preservation projects throughout the state, but is now completed.

The facelift of the building enhances the beauty and character of the town, revitalizes its neighborhood, and creates a more vibrant environment for the local community and tourists.  ~Owner, Michael Smallwood

The new white exterior gleams with its contrasting dark green trim (the first time it had been painted since 2005). It was the goal of the project to beautify the exterior portion of the building and restore the its structural integrity to preserve its historical value and longevity.

Owner Michael Smallwood shared, “After replacing the old roof, repainting the building exterior, repairing the window frames, replacing the awning above the windows, and installing Hardie siding, trim, battens, and new screens, the building has regained its charm and character that reflect the history of Hilo town. The facelift of the building enhances the beauty and character of the town, revitalizes its neighborhood, and creates a more vibrant environment for the local community and tourists. Considering the touristy location of the building, the facelift has also enhanced the area’s business environment.”

The Smallwood Building on 45 Mamo St, is adjacent to the Calica Building (a 2019 Hilo Preservation Program grantee). Over 30 businesses line the sides of Mamo Street, which was once considered the busiest street in all of Hilo, known for the relatively high number of restaurants and bars. Today, the Smallwood Building shares the street with the Hilo Farmers Market which serves as the focal point of the downtown area. To the local community, this market and the street are two historic landmarks that give them a sense of place where economy flourishes and people gather.

Learn more about the Hilo Preservation Grant Program here.