Mayor Alameda focuses on cost of living, residents quality of life during second State of the County

During Mayor Kimo Alamedaʻs second State of the County address on Thursday, he shared survey results from 4,000 Hawaiʻi Island residents, with cost of living topping the list of concerns.

Alameda highlighted crucial actions the county is taking to assist local families, while also outlining factors that affect the cost of living, primarily focusing on housing costs and stability for residents.

His plans include improving the quality of life for Hawaiʻi County residents over the next year by addressing building codes, roads, energy costs, wastewater and water services, workforce development, home insurance, mortgage rates, property taxes and support services.

“It is going to require all of us,” said Alameda, acknowledging the various jurisdictions involved. “And that’s why I feel that when we talk about affordability, the only way to address it is to dig deep into these areas.”

Alameda’s address was held at the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaiʻi’s Winter General Membership Meeting. The room full of attendees included county staff, family, supporters, and special guests, including Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green, Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami and Maui Mayor Richard Bissen.

Alameda said addressing the more extensive issue of housing will require state and federal government collaboration, with the county continuing to pursue solutions such as:

• Sensible regulation changes that lower housing costs without sacrificing safety
• Investments in energy infrastructure and clean energy
• Partnering with educational institutions to bolster the local workforce
• Investing in housing with social services

“Homelessness and affordability are complex,” Alameda said. “It’s not the state’s fault, not the county’s fault, or the county council’s fault; it’s all of us together who have to chip in. Like my friend said this morning, he doesn’t mind paying taxes, as long as we get results.”

As the administration remains focused on improving quality of life, Alameda said he continues to promise hard work and collaboration to deliver results for residents.

“I try not to make promises about things that are not in my control, but I can promise you effort, 100%,” Alameda said. “I can promise you collaboration. I can promise you working for more funding.”

Mayor Alameda took the audience on a visual tour of the island, highlighting projects planned or underway in each district. Examples include:

• Reconstructing Mokuola (Coconut Island) Bridge
• Creating solutions for traffic, such as a proposed roundabout at Kawili Street in Hilo
• Reconstructing Highway 137 in Puna
• Starting construction at Pāhala Swimming Pool
• Continuing construction of the pavilion, bathrooms, and playground at Miloliʻi Park
• Completing two bathrooms at Old Kona Airport Beach Park
• Completing designs for an emergency shelter at Waimea District Park
• Restoring electricity at Kamehameha Park tennis courts
• Building new public bathrooms in Honokaʻa

“Sometimes, improving residents’ quality of life comes from easy solutions, like filling potholes or building better bathrooms,” Alameda said. “Those are the kinds of things we want to continue doing and finishing for people. They want to see where their tax dollars go and want to see us get it done.”

One of the planned improvements includes beautifying Banyan Drive, maintaining the banyan trees for safety and removing invasive species, aerial roots and deadwood. On Thursday, crews were working to remove the largest tree on the street due to structural instability.

During the State of the County address, Alameda also shared a video highlighting accomplishments from county departments over the past year, including:

• Office of Housing and Community Development: Construction of Kukuiola Emergency Shelter in Kona, purchase of Dolphin Bay Hotel affordable housing units, rental vouchers program housing over 2,000 residents
• Parks and Recreation: Pāpaʻaloa Park and Miloliʻi Park facility construction, major repairs to Kamehameha Park lights, county swimming pools, increased parking
• Environmental Management: Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation Project
• Department of Public Works: 200% increase in building permit efficiency, resurfaced roads, new crosswalks, tree maintenance, culvert drainage, additional parking
• Human Resources: More than 9,000 applications, over 500 positions filled
• Research and Development: Awarded $548,000 in impact grants, invested $500,000 in grants
• Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience: $1.9 million grant for Puapuaʻa Iki Habitat Restoration and Protection

Alameda concluded his speech with the Japanese phrase “Ichigo Ichie,” meaning “one encounter, one lifetime.”

“Every encounter is unique — it cannot be replicated,” Alameda said. “Every time I see a constituent, I see a mom, a dad, a child, I embrace them.

“The past is over for all of us, the future is promised to none of us, so all we get is today. And so, we treat each other with love and respect. And we can agree to disagree, but we always love.”