MAYOR ROTH CONCLUDES TERM WITH MILESTONE ARBITRATION VICTORY, SAVING HAWAIʻI COUNTY $10.7 MILLION 

After nearly two years of negotiations, the Office of Mayor Mitch Roth is pleased to announce a significant arbitration outcome with the Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association (HGEA) that will save the County of Hawaiʻi $10.7 million from the previous offer and nearly $15 million since the beginning of the process. These critical savings will enable the incoming administration of Mayor Kimo Alameda to further its vision for the people of Hawaiʻi Island.

“This decision marks a pivotal moment for our county,” said Mayor Roth. “These savings ensure that the resources we’ve worked so hard to preserve will remain available to tackle our community’s most pressing needs. It has been an honor to serve this community, and I wish Mayor Alameda and his administration great success as they take the reins.”

Mayor Alameda will be sworn in today at noon in Kona. His administration will take over ongoing arbitrations with three additional public unions currently under negotiation, continuing the County’s efforts to balance fairness for employees with fiscal responsibility for the community.

The arbitration process has been a testament to Mayor Roth’s dedication to transparency, fiscal prudence, and respect for the hard work of County employees. Throughout his tenure, he and his team have navigated these complex negotiations with a commitment to fairness, sustainability, and maintaining essential services for the community.

“Leadership is about making the hard decisions that honor both the contributions of our dedicated workers and the long-term well-being of our residents,” said Mayor Roth. “We’ve been at the table every step of the way, advocating for fair, equitable solutions while protecting the critical services that our community depends on.”

As Mayor Roth steps down, he expressed deep gratitude to the County employees and the public for their support during his administration.

“Our achievements — from navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic to reducing poverty, improving our parks, and prioritizing public safety — are a direct result of the incredible work of our County ‘ohana. I have every confidence that Mayor Alameda and his team will build on these successes with innovation and aloha.”