Each community across our island and each sector of industry has been affected by economic setbacks.  The Administration of Mayor Kenoi has moved quickly to prioritize economic recovery initiatives to help our industries, businesses and families cope with the challenges that lie ahead.

Keeping Businesses Competitive

Green energy and job initiatives have the potential to transform our economy.

This is the time to invest in our county infrastructure, while bid prices are competitive and interest rates are near an all- time low. We are pushing ahead with projects with funding under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as well as a variety of other projects. We are also promoting agriculture and helping to train farmers.

• Helped to secure more than $115 million in federal American Recovery and Restoration Act funds for Hawai’i County.
• Began $12.4 million phase I construction on the first 28 units of the 96-unit Kaloko Transitional Housing project.
• Will soon begin on the first model homes for Kamakoa Nui Workforce Housing in Waikoloa. The initial offering will include 91 new homes.
• Completed the first emergency homeless shelter in West Hawai’i, a $1.77 million facility with 31 beds for single adults. The project was completed on time and under budget.
• Completed the $50.5 million, 85,000-square-foot West Hawai’i Civic Center, the County’s largest public works project ever, on time and under budget. This will provide convenient services for residents and save about $613,000 a year on office leases.
• Established a temporary transfer station in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, completed the Waimea, Keauhou and Hawi Re-Use Centers, and began Pahoa transfer station renovations.
• Shored up embankments at Honokohau Mauka and Napo’opo’o that collapsed during a 2006 earthquake.
• Advanced plans to build new water spigot stations in Puna, South Kona, Ka’u and Papa’aloa to serve residents on catchment.
• Constructed drainage improvements through Captain Cook to mitigate flooding in the Manago Hotel and Greenwell Park area.
• Repaired Kaiwiki Bridge in Hilo.

• Worked with Big Island Visitors Bureau and others to encourage Continental Airlines to create direct flights to Hilo from Los Angeles and San Francisco.
• Worked with Hawai’i Tourism Authority and others to encourage Alaska Airlines to establish direct flights from Oakland and San Jose to Kona, bringing an additional 56,000 airline seats per year to the county.
• Joined with the Hawai’i Tourism Authority and other tourism industry stakeholders to lunch a promotional campaign called “E Komo Mai Kona” to entice visitors from Japan to continue to select Kona as their vacation destination.
• Provided funding to the Big Island Visitors Bureau for Kama’aina campaigns, public relations and convention outreach.
• Hosted the Stand-Up World Tour Hawai’i Island Championships, which drew athletes from 12 nations and showcased the county in the national news media.
• Hosted Their majesties the Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan during their first visit to the Island of Hawai’i in July 2009.
• Improved coordination between the Iron man Triathlon and Civil Defense, Fire and Police to ensure the safety of athletes, spectators and residents.

Renewable energy, bio-fuel and green industry development have all come to the forefront of opportunities to facilitate the development of a sustainable economy and to enhance our economic well-being. The Energy Program provides leadership and coordination in identifying, developing and implementing effective policies, initiatives and new projects to advance our overall energy efficiency, and to help develop this emerging sector.

Promoting Our Unique Assets

Our island’s unique environment and compelling natural assets create valuable opportunities for us, but they also pose critical challenges. By supporting the events and programs that highlight our cultures, histories and sports while respecting and protecting our environment, we help provide a memorable experience for our visitors that will bring them back to our island each year.

Creating Growth Industries

Mayor Kenoi supports the development of the film industry across the island. Through the Big Island Film Office, the county leads in creating promotional opportunities for independent and feature film productions to showcase our island’s assets, beauty and talent.

Accessible Resources for Businesses & Organizations

Hawaii County Resource Center

The Hawai’i County Resource Center has become a valuable source of information to help local organizations and businesses find resources such as financial and technical assistance to improve sustainability, build capacity and develop a greener island economy.

Supporting Employment & Job-seeker Services

Mayor Kenoi supports the leadership our local non-profit organizations have put forth as they work harder than ever to provide job-seeker resources, training programs and cooperative workforce development initiatives.  By supporting such programs as healthcare recruitment, job training, career development mentoring programs and partnerships between employees and businesses, he has helped stimulate job creation within businesses wherever possible, and built capacity in the workforce of each industry on our island.

HIWEDO pairs businesses with students for mentoring in the real-world workforce

Our non-profit organizations have stepped up economic development programs

Sustainability Primer, published in cooperation with the Kohala Center