Hawaii County Approves 15 Percent Raise for Top Officials

At its final meeting of the year on December 23, 2025, the Hawaii County Salary Commission voted to raise compensation for the county mayor and senior managers by a total of 15.29 percent, to be implemented in four steps over three years. The commission set an initial 3.5 percent increase to take effect January 1, 2026, followed by a 3.79 percent adjustment on July 1, 2026, and 4 percent increases on July 1, 2027, and July 1, 2028.

The raises apply to the county's top officials, including the mayor and county managers, and were approved in the commission's year end action. Commissioners said the phased schedule was intended to spread adjustments across fiscal periods. The decision follows recent negotiated pay increases for unionized government employees, and it has generated discussion among residents and elected leaders about fairness, compensation benchmarks, and accountability.

For Big Island County residents the immediate impact will be on county payroll projections as the new rates take effect beginning January 1. While the commission did not attach a total dollar figure to the increases during the meeting, the staged implementation aligns with future budget cycles and will be reflected in budget planning and appropriations. County departments may have to adjust operating plans in response, and elected officials will face questions about how the increases affect service delivery and long term fiscal objectives.

Community members and some officials raised broader questions about whether compensation policy should remain fixed by the salary commission or whether the county charter should be amended to permit performance based adjustments for top officials. Advocates for charter change say linking pay to measurable outcomes could strengthen accountability. Opponents caution that performance pay can be difficult to administer fairly across complex county responsibilities.

As the increases roll out, county leaders must balance the goals of attracting and retaining qualified administrators with public concerns over equity and fiscal priorities. Residents seeking information about how these changes will affect specific departmental budgets or tax rates should follow upcoming county budget hearings and statements from the mayor's office and council budget committees.