County Seeks Contractor to Run Concession at Saddle Road Recreation Area

The old park headquarters building at Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area, sitting alongside Daniel K. Inouye Highway on Saddle Road, is at the center of a new county bid opportunity that could bring food service to one of the Big Island's most-traveled mountain corridors.

The County of Hawaiʻi posted an Invitation for Bids on March 20 seeking a qualified contractor to serve food and beverages and provide other services at the park, formerly known as Mauna Kea State Park. The concession would operate out of the 2,350-square-foot building that once served as park headquarters, which includes an equipped kitchen, restrooms, a main room, office space, and storage space.

"This is an exciting opportunity that can benefit many people in our community, including travelers making the journey on Saddle Road and campers staying in the cabins at Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area," said Mayor Kimo Alameda. "It also has the potential to be a great business opportunity for the right entrepreneur, and we hope to receive many qualified applications."

The contract would run for two years, with the potential for renewal across up to three additional one-year periods. The IFB, posted to the County of Hawaiʻi Procurement Portal, includes detailed specifications, bidder requirements, and important dates in the bid process.

Specific bid deadlines and financial terms were not released in the county's public announcement. Entrepreneurs and food service operators interested in submitting a bid can visit the County of Hawaiʻi Purchasing Division's webpage or contact Purchasing Agent Stephanie Letro directly at (808) 961-8231.