Yesterday Mayor Kimo Alameda delivered his first State of the County address to an overflow crowd at Nani Mau Gardens in Hilo.

During his speech, the Mayor showcased his administration’s accomplishments over the last four months including starting Phase 1 of the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation Project with an Emergency Proclamation in place, the repair and reopening of various County parks, reaching agreements with unions on hazard pay for County employees, in addition to housing homeless individuals as well as road repaving and resurfacing.

Mayor Alameda also provided an overview of the proposed 2025-26 budget, which includes estimated revenue and appropriations of $937 million.

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

 

Photo credit: Office of Mayor Alameda