A planned business park in Hilo could soon bring the first Costco to the east side of Hawaii Island, a win for shoppers who currently have to drive to Kona.

• The Department of Hawaiian Homelands is developing a business park along Railroad Avenue in Hilo.
• Profits from the park would help fund DHHL's first new homestead housing project in East Hawaii in over 20 years.
• Early talks have included Costco as a possible tenant, though no deal is signed yet.
• East Hawaii residents currently have to travel to Kona for the island's only Costco, so a Hilo location would save many people a long drive.
• Local community members say they'd strongly support a Costco opening on the east side.

Outlook: No agreement is final yet, but if talks with Costco and other big retailers succeed, East Hawaii could get its own store along with new housing funded by the project.