Mayor Alameda Delivers State of the County Address

Mayor Alameda Delivers State of the County Address

During his first State of the County address, County of Hawaiʻi Mayor Kimo Alameda highlighted progress made by his administration, including investments in park facilities and infrastructure.

“We have had the best start ever!” Alameda told an overflow crowd at Nani Mau Gardens in Hilo on Tuesday, while acknowledging the work of his staff. “We are not just running, we are flying.”

Accomplishments over the past four months include:
• Starting Phase 1 of the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation Project with an Emergency Proclamation in place.
• Repairs and reopening of various County park facilities across the island.
• Reaching agreements with unions on hazard pay for County employees.
• Housing individuals at the Kuawa Street shelter and the Country Club condominiums on Banyan Drive in Hilo.
• Road repaving and resurfacing in every district.

Mayor Alameda also provided an overview of the proposed 2025-26 budget, which includes estimated revenue and appropriations of $937 million. That represents an increase of 1.8 percent over the current fiscal year.

With a small projected revenue increase, he noted the County must be smart with how it spends its money. The proposed budget focuses on taking care of what the County has in place, including increasing the maintenance budget for park facilities and addressing deferred maintenance of critical infrastructure.

Mayor Alameda concluded his address with a message of unity for the island.

“Let us move forward — not divided by districts, but united by aloha,” he said. “… Let’s look out for one another, for our island, and for the generations yet to come. God bless you. God bless this county.”

Watch the video here   (36 minutes)