Mayor Alameda Highlights Quality-of-Life Improvements in Hilo State Address

Mayor Kimo Alameda delivered his second State of the County Address at Nani Mau Gardens in Hilo, using a crowd that included county staff, family, supporters and visiting officials to make a case for visible quality-of-life work alongside longer-term housing strategies. Alameda framed his remarks at the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaiʻi’s general membership meeting around everyday fixes and multi-jurisdictional cooperation to address cost pressures that residents named as their top concerns.

Bigislandnow reported that Alameda shared survey results from 4,000 Hawaiʻi Island residents, with cost of living topping the list. KHON2 noted that residents also flagged traffic and access to healthcare among their biggest concerns. Alameda pointed to a wide array of systems that affect housing costs and stability, listing building codes, roads, energy costs, wastewater and water services, workforce development, home insurance, mortgage rates, property taxes and support services as areas that must be addressed in concert.

“It is going to require all of us,” Alameda said, acknowledging multiple jurisdictions, and added, “And that’s why I feel that when we talk about affordability, the only way to address it is to dig deep into these areas.” Bigislandnow recorded Alameda saying, “Homelessness and affordability are complex. It’s not the state’s fault, not the county’s fault, or the county council’s fault; it’s all of us together who have to chip in. Like my friend said this morning, he doesn’t mind paying taxes, as long as we get results.”

Alongside the systemic agenda, Alameda emphasized small, tangible improvements that island residents notice day to day. Yahoo quoted Alameda: “What I do have control over is quality of life - I feel I’m empowered to fix that pot hole, I can do that - 10-minute tour around the island, but improving little things and they add up being big things.” Bigislandnow also quoted Alameda: “Sometimes, improving residents’ quality of life comes from easy solutions, like filling potholes or building better bathrooms. Those are the kinds of things we want to continue doing and finishing for people. They want to see where their tax dollars go and want to see us get it done.”

Alameda highlighted island projects and safety work, including planned beautification and maintenance on Banyan Drive with removal of invasive aerial roots and deadwood. Bigislandnow reported that crews were removing the largest tree on the street that day due to structural instability, a response Alameda tied to a falling banyan tree that killed two women in Hilo last year. Yahoo reported Alameda’s discussion of safe sleeping sites for the homeless in Hilo and plans to repair the Mokuʻola bridge, which collapsed last year. Bigislandnow also said Alameda discussed working with the state to take over the former Uncle Billy’s Hotel property.

Alameda closed his remarks with the Japanese phrase “Ichigo Ichie,” meaning “one encounter, one lifetime,” and reflected, “Every encounter is super unique. It cannot be replicated,” and “Every time I see a constituent, I see a mom, a dad, a child, I embrace them.” KITV published event photos and KWXX credited the Office of Mayor Kimo Alameda for images in the county release posted Feb. 14, 2026.

Multiple outlets identified the speech as delivered Thursday, Feb. 12, though one report listed Feb. 12/13 and the county post appeared Feb. 14. Residents can expect crews and county crews to continue visible repairs while Alameda seeks state and federal partnerships to fund broader affordability and infrastructure work; the administration has said it will pursue solutions that combine small fixes with deeper policy changes.