Hawaii's state land agency is weighing Costco as an anchor store for a new business park on the Big Island, a move welcomed by Hilo-side residents tired of driving to Kona.

• The Department of Hawaiian Homelands is scouting anchor tenants, including Costco, for a planned business park on land in Pana'ewa.
• Rent from the park would help pay for infrastructure on DHHL's first new homestead neighborhood in East Hawaii in over 20 years.
• Nothing is signed yet — any lease still needs sign-off from the Hawaiian Homes Commission.
• A Costco would save windward Big Island residents the long, costly drive to Kona for big-box shopping.

Outlook: Watch for the issue to come up at upcoming Hawaiian Homes Commission meetings as talks continue.