HILO, Hawaii (KHON2) — Hawaiʻi Mayor Kimo Alameda delivered his State of the County address on April 8 in Hilo, addressing issues such as the island’s infrastructure deficiencies and housing while also celebrating the county’s accomplishments.
“Let me tell you–we are not just running, we are flying. In the past four months, we have done more than some administrations have done in four years,” Alameda said.
The mayor referenced the acquisition of four new ambulances for the island, the start of the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant rehabilitation project and the island’s incoming helicopter ambulance, which he says is “capable of picking up anyone, anywhere on the island and taking them to Queen’s Medical Center for care.” Currently, Big Island residents would need to go to the airport to catch a plane.
“It’s no secret that we have the greatest infrastructure deficiencies in the history of the county,” Alameda said.
In relation to infrastructure, Alameda addressed the need for cesspool conversions, while also revealing plans to fix up parks around the island, while also building public restrooms, with the mayor calling to restrooms essential.
“A bathroom, to me, is a basic human right,” Alameda said. “I also think the need for recreation is equally important because you can’t just stay in your house and kids need things to do.”
Alameda also reference fixing the runway at the Kona Airport, to aid in bringing in more direct flights to Kona.
“After the tourists land, they then need to have a place to stay and that should be at our hotels,” Alameda said. “So, let’s support the hotel industry, which means cracking down on illegal vacation rentals.”
The mayor then continued on to discuss providing hotels with a strong workforce, while also providing those workers with affordable housing and emphasizing community health.
“Let us move forward–not divided by districts, but united by aloha,” Alameda said. “I am committed to listening, learning and leading with you at the center of every decision we make.”