Hawaii Island Mayor Addresses Housing Affordability Crisis

Kimo Alameda focuses on factors contributing to housing shortages and homelessness in his State of the County address.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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In his second State of the County address, Hawaii Island Mayor Kimo Alameda discussed the complex issues contributing to housing affordability and homelessness on the Big Island. Alameda highlighted factors such as building codes, infrastructure, energy costs, and the need for supportive services for the homeless population. He acknowledged the magnitude of the problem and emphasized the need for collaboration between the county, state, and community to address these challenges.

Why it matters

Housing affordability and homelessness are pressing issues facing many communities in Hawaii, and the mayor's address underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle these problems. The mayor's willingness to openly discuss the complexities involved and his call for collaboration suggest a recognition that solving these challenges will require a multi-faceted effort.

The details

Mayor Alameda discussed a range of factors that contribute to housing affordability and homelessness, including building codes, infrastructure, energy costs, wastewater and water services, workforce development, home insurance and mortgage rates, property taxes, and support services for the homeless. He noted that even if the homeless are provided with housing, many still require additional support services to address mental health and addiction issues. Alameda emphasized the need for a variety of housing options, including residential treatment facilities, addiction facilities, group homes, and shelters.

  • Mayor Alameda delivered the State of the County 2026 address on Thursday, February 14, 2026.
  • Alameda took office as the Hawaii Island mayor on December 2, 2024.

The players

Kimo Alameda

The mayor of Hawaii Island who delivered the State of the County 2026 address, focusing on housing affordability and homelessness issues.

Josh Green

The governor of Hawaii who attended the event where Alameda delivered his address.

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What they’re saying

“We sent out postcards to 28,000 residents, OK? We got 4,000 came back. And they said three things. They said the first thing is cost of living. And I'm happy they said that, because Gov. Green said the same thing in the … State of the State. It was affordability, which is true story. The second thing is traffic. I said, true story, traffic. And the third thing they said was health care.”

— Kimo Alameda, Mayor of Hawaii Island (staradvertiser.com)

“I'm going to intersect with the state and try to figure out how do we get the building codes to make sense? I understand it's there for safety reasons, but it's also pricing us out of a home.”

— Kimo Alameda, Mayor of Hawaii Island (staradvertiser.com)

What’s next

Mayor Alameda plans to collaborate with the state government and other counties to explore solutions to the housing affordability and homelessness issues, including potential changes to building codes and the development of more affordable housing options.

The takeaway

The mayor's address highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of the housing affordability and homelessness challenges facing Hawaii Island, underscoring the need for a comprehensive, collaborative approach involving the county, state, and community stakeholders to address these pressing issues.