Hilo native Breeani Kobayashi announced her candidacy for Hawaiʻi County Mayor.

A graduate of Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy in Waimea, Kobayashi’s platform includes initiatives to ensure a more equitable distribution of resources to support local families grappling with Hawaiʻi’s high cost of living.

Named one of Hawaiʻi’s Most Admired Leaders in 2023 and selected by Pacific Business News as the 2022 Pineapple Honoree. Kobayashi is also a recipient of the Lokahi Award, nominated in 2018 by the Youth Challenge Academy National Guard. In 2009, Kobayashi was one of two individuals chosen by Senator Daniel Akaka to represent Hawaiʻi in Washington DC to discuss education, leadership, and public service.

Granddaughter to the late Hilo business pioneer, Richard Kimi, Kobayashi was the General Manager of the Hilo Seaside Hotel until its sale and acquisition in 2021. Now known as SCP Hilo and still under Kobayashi’s management, SCP Hilo is the only hotel in Hawai’i to earn the prestigious Benchmarked recognition from EarthCheck.

SCP Hilo’s partnership with Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund to remove beach trash has resulted in over 100,000 pounds of trash that has been removed from Big Island beaches through Kobayashi’s management thus far. SCP Hilo also partners with “We Well-being” to provide adolescents with mental health skills and ʻĀina Hoʻōla Initiative, which encourages guests staying at SCP Hilo to donate their time back to the community and help restore Lokowaka Pond in Keaukaha.

Kobayashi is the current chair of the Hawaiʻi Island United Way, Vice President for Hui Kahu Malama and Big Island Substance Abuse Council Board member.

In a press release Kobayahsi said, “I have a profound love for our island and our people. I am committed to serving our community and am grateful for the guidance of my mentors and the leaders who have shown me the importance of leading with purpose, passion, and aloha.”

Kobayahsi joins Kimo Alameda in challenging Mayor Mitch Roth in this year’s election.

 

Photo credit: Friends of Bree