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Dr. Kimo in
the news.
Dr. Kimo has been a leader in our island community for over thirty years. This is where we share news of Dr. Kimo and his service to our County.
Alameda’s work on fentanyl task force led to the job where he can make an even bigger difference
Big Island Now
December 29,, 2024
By Kelsey Walling
Two years ago, Kimo Alameda was holding a horn in one hand and Narcan in the other, teaching people at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo how to use the nasal spray that can reverse an opiate overdose and potentially save a life.
At the time, Alameda was CEO at Bay Clinic in Hilo and a volunteer member of the Hawaiʻi Island Fentanyl Task Force, which delivered 689 boxes of Narcan at that pop-up event.
The task force became a passion for Alameda, who started hosting the pop-ups and free giveaways of Narcan, also known as noxolone, across the island, often with his family and late wife, Star Alameda. He also hosted more than 400 presentations at island schools and for community groups.
“I remember him there with his horn, welcoming everybody himself and wanting to make a difference,” said Wally Lau, co-founder of the Hawaiʻi Island Fentanyl Task Force. “That is Kimo. He’s a community guy. No matter where he’s at, he is a motivator and a do-er who can excite people.”
Now, Alameda, 55, wants to make an even bigger difference as the new mayor of Hawai’i County. He beat incumbent Mitch Roth in November with a campaign emphasizing transparency, change and inclusion.
Alameda said it was his years with the task force that provided the final push he needed to run for the seat.
Mayor Alameda Completes Cabinet Appointments
KWXX FM
December 25, 2024
Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda announced the completion of his cabinet with the appointments of Renee Schoen as Corporation Counsel and J Yoshimoto as Assistant Corporation Counsel.
Mayor Appoints New Hawaiʻi County Directors
Big Island Video News
December 15, 2024
By BIVN
HILO, Hawaiʻi - Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda has appointed new administrators for the departments of Information Technology and Public Works.
New Hawaiʻi Island mayor Kimo Alameda, county council sworn in during energetic inauguration
Big Island Now
December 2, 2024
By Tiffany DeMasters
For the first time in decades, Hawaiʻi County held the inauguration of its mayor and county councilon the west side of the island, and oh what a celebration it was.
When Kimo Alameda took his oath as the new mayor, hundreds cheered and gave him a standing ovation at the Outrigger Resort’s Kaleiopapa Convention Center in Keauhou.
New Hawaii County mayor sworn into office
Hawaii News Now
December 2, 2024
By HNN Staff
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaii County welcomed a new mayor Monday.
Mayor Kimo Alameda was sworn in at Kaleiopapa Convention Center at the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa.
Alameda is a staunch advocate for geographic equity, which is why his inauguration ceremony took place in Kona.
“It’s the first time, I believe, since 1968, since Mayor Shunichi Kimura took office, that we had a mayoral inauguration here on the west side,” he said.
Big Island Mayor Kimo Alameda outlines priorities for island’s future
KHON2 News
December 2, 2024
By Brigette Namath
HAWAI’I ISLAND, Hawaii (KHON2) — Kimo Alameda, the newly sworn-in mayor of the Big Island, is calling for a renewed focus on the community, committing himself to be a public servant above all.
“I’ve had a lot of accolades in the past, and I’m not looking for any acknowledgment at this time in my life. I just want to give back.”
Alameda ran on a platform dubbed “Live, Work, Play,” which focuses on enhancing the quality of life for residents.
Alameda announces additional appointments
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
December 1, 2024
By Tribune-Herald Staff
Hawaii County Mayor-elect Kimo Alameda, who will be sworn-in at noon Monday, announced Friday the selection of administrators to lead four additional departments and offices.
These appointments include the directors and deputy directors for the Department of Environmental Management, Department of Research and Development, and Office of Housing and Community Development, plus the administrator for the Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience.
Hawaii County Mayor-Elect Alameda looks to ‘engage and assess’ when he takes office Monday
Hawaii News Now
November 30, 2024
By Annalisa Burgos
HILO (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaii County will have a new mayor Monday, and he says he’s ready to hit the ground running.
Mayor-Elect Kimo Alameda is new to public office but not new to government, having served under mayors Billy Kenoi and Harry Kim. His campaign focused on bringing change and transparency to government.
Alameda is a staunch advocate for geographic equity, which is why the Hilo native says his inauguration ceremony will be in Kona on Monday at noon. It is expected to draw at least 1,000 people.
He said his first priority is to connect with the staff and assess the needs of all the county departments, in particular the wait times for building permits and obstacles to constructing more affordable housing. He said he’s considering improvements like third party reviews and shot-clock deadlines.
Hawai’i County Mayor-elect Kimo Alameda announces appointment selection
KITV News
November 22, 2024
By Jeremiah Estrada
HILO, Hawai‘i (Island News) -- Hawai‘i County Mayor-elect Kimo Alameda announced the selection of additional key cabinet members as he will soon take office on Dec. 2.
These appointments include the incoming directors for the departments of Planning, Finance and Parks and Recreation, in addition to other members of his executive team.
Hawai‘i County Mayor-elect Kimo Alameda announces first appointments
Big Island Now
Big Island Video News
November 8, 2024
Hawai‘i County Mayor-elect Kimo Alameda has begun to assemble his administration following his win in the Nov. 5 general election.
According to a press release from Alameda’s office, the mayor-elect selected Bill Brilhante as Managing Director and Merrick Nishimoto as Deputy Managing Director. Both have held leadership positions in the county, with Brilhante previously serving as Human Resources Director and Nishimoto previously serving as Public Works Deputy Director.
Candidate Q&A: Hawaii County Mayor — Kimo Alameda
Civil Beat
October 8, 2024
By the Civil Beat Staff
For Hawaii’s November 5th General Election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected. The following came from Kimo Alameda, candidate for Hawaii County mayor.
2024 County of Hawaii Mayoral Candidate Forum
Hui ʻOihana, broadcast by Nā Leo TV
July 18, 2024
Hui ʻOihana, the Hawaiʻi Island Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, and partners Hui Hoʻolako for Hawaiian Initiatives, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Nā Leo TV hosted another chance for Big Island voters to ask questions and get information about the candidates who want to lead the island for the next four years.
The 2024 primaries are drawing ever closer and Hawai‘i County mayoral candidates took center stage on July 18th in the Crown Room at the Grand Naniloa Hotel, located at 93 Banyan Drive in Hilo, providing an opportunity for direct engagement with voters.
The forum was moderated by respected community leaders Mahina Paishon, co-founder and chief executive officer of Waiwai Collective, a regenerative urban kīpuka for weaving community, culture and commerce, and Kumu Lehua Veincent, who has been a K-12 teacher and administrator for more than 35 years and was on the forefront of Hawaiian Language immersion and charter school programs in Hawaiʻi.
The discussion included questions asked by ʻopio from Hawaiʻi Island communities and questions from the audience.
Hawaii County Mayoral Forum: 2024 Primaries
Nā Leo TV
July 12, 2024
Na Leo TV invited all seven candidates running for Hawai‘i County Mayor to participate in a live broadcast forum on Friday, July 12. Candidates who responded and participated include Dr. Kimo Alameda, Breeani Kobayashi, Mayor Mitch Roth, and Jr. Tupa‘i. Special thanks to local businesswoman Mary Begier, and Vibrant Hawai‘i Team members Cole Fuertes and Amylia-Rae Gandolf for moderating this discussion.
Mahalo to the following organizations for collaborating on this Elections 2024 podcast series and 2024 Primaries Edition forum: Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce, Hawai‘i Island Contractors Association, Hawai‘i Island Realtors, Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Kanoelehua Industrial Area Association, Kohala Coast Resort Association, Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Na Leo TV, New West Broadcasting, Vibrant Hawai‘i, and West Hawai‘i Association of Realtors.
Wastewater, Housing And Hazard Pay Are Driving The Big Island Mayor’s Race
Civil Beat
July 11, 2024
By Paula Dobbyn
With a month to go before the primary, Big Island Mayor Mitch Roth is facing significant challenges in his bid to retain his job as Hawaii County’s top executive for another four years.
Rather than backing the incumbent, two of Hawaii’s biggest unions representing government white- and blue-collar workers are backing Kimo Alameda, a top challenger in the nonpartisan Aug. 10 election. The unions are generally a force to be reckoned with in local politics with their endorsements highly sought-after by candidates seeking public office in one of the nation’s most unionized states.
“The unions can mobilize large amounts of voters,” said Colin Moore, University of Hawaii associate professor. “I’m sure this is unwelcome news to the mayor.”
The Big Island is no exception to the major longstanding issues facing the rest of Hawaii: a lack of affordable housing and high cost of living that is driving local families to the mainland and making it hard to recruit and retain skilled workers. But there are other issues hurting Roth’s standing in the race, including persistent problems with the county’s troubled wastewater system and his administration’s fight with unions over hazard pay.
AARP Hawai‘i Mayoral Candidate Forum
AARP Hawai‘i, broadcast by Nā Leo TV
July 10, 2024
Four candidates for Hawaii County mayor will speak at an AARP Hawaii forum today that will be broadcast on public access Na Leo Channel 55, naleo.tv/governmental55 and the AARP Hawaii Facebook page.
The candidates are Kimo Alameda, Breeani Kobayashi, Mitch Roth and Jr Tupa‘i. They will answer questions from AARP Hawaii and a live audience.
The forum took place at 6 p.m. at Aunty Sally’s Luau Hale, 799 Piilani St. in Hilo.
“AARP Hawaii and Na Leo are presenting the forum as a public service to help voters get informed about the issues facing Hawaii County and the candidates who want to lead us,” said Keali‘i Lopez, AARP Hawaii state director.“We know that older voters often decide elections and we encourage the candidates to be aware of issues that matter to kupuna and encourage kupuna to let elected officials know what you think about the issues.”
Nā Leo TV
2024 Mayoral Candidate Podcast: Dr. Kimo Alameda
June 2024
Host, Mary Begier
Nā Leo TV invited all seven candidates running for Hawai‘i County Mayor to sit down for a podcast, giving them a platform to connect with voters and share their vision for our island’s future. Mahalo to Mary Begier for serving as our podcast host and chatting with all the candidates!
PBS Hawai‘i
Primary Election 2024: Hawai‘i County Mayor
June 13, 2024
Moderator, Yunji De Nies
Dr. Kimo faces several challengers during the 2024 election. The live broadcast allowed the community to join in on the conversation as they heard from candidates in the Primary Election for Hawaiʻi County Mayor.
Alameda officially launches campaign to oust Roth
January 14, 2024
By Kelsey Walling, Hawai‘i Tribune-Herald & West Hawai‘i Today
Over 100 community members crowded the sidewalk in front of the King Kamehameha statue in Hilo on Saturday to support Kimo Alameda and his candidacy for Hawaii County mayor.
Supporters of Alameda, known by many as Dr. Kimo, traveled from around the county to sign-wave to passersby and learn more about his plans and goals if he is elected mayor.
Alameda’s rally came after dozens of community meetings, conversations and listening sessions following his initial campaign announcement back in July.
“In listening and speaking with communities from Pahoa to Puako and from Kona to Kohala, one thing is absolutely clear: Our island is at a crossroads,” Alameda said earlier Saturday in a statement. “Without thoughtful and decisive leaders who understand the people of our county and the problems we face, we will continue to lose thousands of families every year because of the high cost-of-living, lack of quality job opportunities and ongoing crisis of unattainable housing.”
Born and raised in Hilo, Alameda graduated from St. Joseph’s High School before earning his Ph.D in counseling psychology from the University of Nebraska.
‘Dr. Kimo’ Alameda officially announces 2024 bid for Hawai‘i County mayor
January 14, 2024
By Nathan Christophel, Big Island Now
During a group photo with supporters Saturday evening on green space fronting Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo, Kimo Alameda’s 14-month-old grandson Milo Nakoa threw his arms up in celebration and excitement as the more than 120 people behind him cheered and held up campaign signs.
“That’s the future right there,” said “Dr. Kimo.”
The sign-waving event they all had just come from was a prelude to a night that included live music, food, fun, keiki games, ‘ohana at the main pavilion at Wailoa River State Recreation Area in Hilo, where Alameda made his official announcement that he is running in 2024 to become the next mayor of Hawai‘i County.
Before it was all said and done, a conservative estimate of about 200 supporters turned out, with some saying it was as many as 400 at one point who filled the pavilion to standing room only.
Dr. Kimo Alameda Announces Mayoral Campaign
January 15, 2024
KWXX.com
Dr. Kimo Alameda officially launched his campaign for Hawaiʻi County Mayor at a community rally in Hilo over the weekend.
“This place, and all of its wonderful and diverse people, helped shape me into the person I am today” Alameda said to over 300 supporters in the rally audience, “And like so many of you, I want to make sure that this island can continue to shape the lives of our children and grandchildren, so that they can sustain and perpetuate our local culture and identity. Our campaign is an expression of gratitude and aloha for our island, our culture, and our people.”
He said it will be a fun day that will allow him to be up close with Ka'ū people to see deeper into their dreams and listen to their issues. Alameda is known in Ka'ū for his leadership of the Bay Clinic, which merged with Hawai'i Community Health Center last year, and for his time with the County Office of Aging, where he ran many of the services for seniors. More recently, he led anti-fentanyl campaigns, including distributing the antidote Narcan. Alameda said his visits around the island for the anti-addiction cause solidified his decision to run for mayor on the Democratic ticket. Alameda also served as late Mayor Billy Kenoi's Campaign Manager but said he didn't think he would ever run till he "saw the need."
‘Dr. Kimo’ Alameda informally announces 2024 run for Hawaiʻi County mayor on 54th birthday
Wednesday was special for Kimo Alameda.
Not only was it his 54th birthday, but the day also marked a significant transition in his life. He announced he would be stepping away from his positions as vice president of new business operations at Hawai‘i Island Community Health Center and lead of the Hawai‘i Island Fentanyl Task Force to enter the 2024 race for Hawai‘i County mayor.
Big Island Now, July, 13, 2023
A group of 50 keiki and parents gathered inside the Hui Wa‘a O Waiākea paddling hale at Hilo Bayfront on Monday to learn about the dangers of addiction and fentanyl on Hawaii Island.
Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald, June 21, 2023
Dr. Kimo Alameda went around the room at Kua O Ka Lā New Century Public Charter School in Hilo asking the fifth- and sixth-graders their names, and in one or two words what aloha means to them.
Big Island Now, June 17, 2023
Dr. Kimo Alameda shares his heartfelt perspective on a range of emotions involving religion, empathy, and love. Many of the insights shared one decade ago still reign true today.
August 24, 2013.