Yesterday, Mayor Kimo Alameda delivered the 2026 State of the County Address, expressing gratitude to the work of community groups, small businesses, County employees, while highlighting accomplishments from the past year and outlining priorities moving forward. Key themes included improving housing affordability, investing in infrastructure and clean energy, supporting workforce development, and collaborating with state and federal partners to address home insurance challenges.
Affordability
Mayor Alameda outlined the many factors that can impact housing costs and housing stability for residents and noted the important actions the County is taking to make a difference for local families. Among the factors that must be considered, he said, are building codes, roads, energy costs, wastewater and water services, workforce development, home insurance and mortgage rates, property taxes, and support services.
For the County, he said the administration will continue to pursue solutions such as:
- Sensible regulation changes that lower housing costs without sacrificing safety.
- Investments in infrastructure and clean energy.
- Investing in housing with social services.
- Expanding housing solutions in partnership with the State.
- Partnering with the community and higher education institutions to bolster the local workforce.
- Collaborating with the State and Federal governments to address home insurance challenges.
Quality of Life Improvements
As the administration remains focused on improving quality of life, Mayor Alameda said he continues to promise hard work and collaboration to bring results for residents.
Accomplishments over the past year include:
- Streamlined the building permit process.
- Increased maintenance and repairs of County park facilities.
- Opened new playgrounds at Puʻu Nui Park in Waikoloa and Arthur L. Greenwell Park in Captain Cook.
- Opened the new Emergency Call Center.
- Purchased the Dolphin Bay Hotel to provide 18 affordable housing units.
- Started construction of the Kukuiola Emergency Shelter in Kona.
- Started restoration of Pohoiki Road.
- Completed a Countywide community survey with more than 4,000 responses.
- Received a $1.9 million grant for the Puapuaʻa Iki Habitat Restoration Project.
Looking Ahead
Mayor Alameda took the audience on a visual tour of the island highlighting projects that are planned or underway in each district. Examples on each side of the island include:
East Hawaiʻi
- Pāpaʻaloa Covered Playcourt.
- Pohoiki Road/Highway 137 reconstruction.
- Mokuola bridge reconstruction.
- Beautifying Banyan Drive.
West Hawaiʻi
- Kealakehe Regional Park.
- Bathrooms at Old Kona Airport Beach Park.
- Park improvements at Miloliʻi.
- Emergency Shelter at Waimea District Park.
Mayor Alameda concluded his speech with a Japanese phrase “Ichigo Ichie,” meaning “one encounter, one lifetime.”
Photo credit: Office of Mayor Kimo Alameda
