MAYOR MITCH ROTH OFFICIALLY FILES FOR REELECTION  Pledges to Continue Fostering a Sustainable Hawaiʻi Island for Future Generations

MAYOR MITCH ROTH OFFICIALLY FILES FOR REELECTION 

Pledges to Continue Fostering a Sustainable Hawaiʻi Island for Future Generations

Mayor Mitch Roth officially filed for reelection yesterday, May 13, 2024, marking his campaign’s commitment to continue leading Hawaiʻi Island toward a sustainable and prosperous future. In his tenure, Mayor Roth has made significant strides in improving the quality of life for residents and fostering an environment where future generations can thrive and succeed. He will serve a second and final four-year term ending in 2028 if elected.

Under Mayor Roth’s leadership, the administration has achieved significant milestones:

Streamlined the Building Permitting Process

• Transformed the county’s permitting process from the worst in the nation to the best in the state.
• Issued over 3,884 new single-family home permits, outpacing Maui, Kauaʻi, and Honolulu combined.
• Reduced wait times for single-family residential permits from over 200 days in 2020 to an average of 34 days in 2023.

Bolstered the Affordable Housing Pipeline

• Increased the affordable housing pipeline from 1,243 to 8,200 units, a more than 600% increase since taking office.
• Completed 300 units, with 500 more to be finished this year, with a total of 1,544 affordable housing units to be worked on or completed through the end of FY’24-25.

Decreased Poverty Numbers Through COVID

• The only county in the state to reduce poverty during the pandemic, achieving a 3% decrease.
• Implemented large gathering event approval processes and airport testing to support businesses and protect the community.
• Injected $22 million through the Holumua initiative and allocated nearly $19 million in emergency rental assistance to 1,866 local families.

Invested in Parks for Keiki and Kupuna

• Increased the Parks’ maintenance budget from $450,000 in 2020 to over $4 million in FY 2023-24, with a proposed $6 million in FY’24-25.
• Launched vital projects such as the improvements of Puʻu Nui and Kamakoa Nui Park, the start of Hilo Skate Park, and the overhaul of the Pāpaʻaloa Park.
• Committed to accessibility with over 14 ADA projects at parks islandwide and ongoing renovations at Waiākea Uka Park, Pāpaʻaloa Covered Playcourt, and Hilo Civic Auditorium.

Prioritized Mālama ‘Āina

• Closed on over 4,100 acres of land for public access and conservation, more than any previous administration.
• Banned harmful pesticides and sunscreens, partnered with non-profits for land stewardship, and pledged to the worldwide initiative of planting one trillion trees.

Pivoted Toward a Clean Energy Economy

• Engaged in hydrogen alliances with Namie, Japan, and Lancaster, California.
• Overhauled County EV charging infrastructure, attained hydrogen and electric-powered buses, and created a plan to convert the County fleet to clean energy vehicles.

Enhanced Public Transportation

• Made Hele-On bus services free for residents, added routes, and improved efficiency.
• Developed transit hubs in Kailua-Kona and Pāhoa to enhance access to goods and services.

Affirmed Commitment to Hawaiian Culture

• Partnered with Kamehameha Schools and launched programs with HTA to address visitor impacts and preserve natural and cultural resources.
• Supported the KIPA program and internal County initiatives based on Hawaiian values.
• Created indigenous data science positions within the Department of Research and Development.

Addressed Deferred Maintenance

• Invested in the largest County infrastructure project in history, an estimated $250M wastewater treatment plant overhaul.
• Paved over 70 miles of County roads since 2020, with plans for 50 more miles by the end of 2024.
• Increased the CIP budget to over $247 million to address long-overdue maintenance.

Invested in Workforce Development

• Led statewide broadband initiatives and bolstered the film industry, generating over $40M in revenue.
• Supported technology incubators like NextTech and Nalukai to engage students in STEAM fields.

Doubled Down on Public Safety

• Replaced over ten ambulances, added lifeguards, renovated the Emergency Operations Center, and responded effectively to major natural disasters.
• Partnered with the Sayre Foundation for a new medical helicopter and led the Hawaiʻi Fentanyl Taskforce.

“I am incredibly proud of the work we’ve done together over the past few years and am excited for the work we will continue to do together if given the opportunity to continue serving as Mayor of our County,” said Mayor Roth. “Our administration is committed to continuing our efforts to build a sustainable Hawaiʻi Island where future generations can thrive and succeed. Together, we are truly creating a community that is resilient, prosperous, and filled with opportunities for all.”

As Mayor Roth embarks on his reelection campaign, he remains focused on fostering a collaborative and inclusive approach to governance, ensuring that the voices of all residents are heard and valued.

He added, “It has been the honor of a lifetime to be elected to serve this community over the past decade, and I look forward to many more years of service.”

Please visit mitchroth.org or contact Pōmaikaʻi Bartolome at mitchroth.chair@gmail.com for more information about Mayor Mitch Roth’s reelection campaign.