Mayor Billy Kenoi took office just as the impact of the global economic recession reached the County of Hawaii. Since then, the social service safety net has become more important than ever to help the needy in our community. Mayor Kenoi has worked diligently to preserve funding for these critical social safeguards.

While he cut the budget in other areas, Mayor Kenoi committed to continuing $1.5 million in supplemental funding each year for dozens of non-profit organizations across the island. These organizations work hard to provide essential social services to our residents, with programs ranging from domestic violence shelters to support for the homeless and more.

The HIUW Mayors Cup Golf Tournament helps non-profit organizations with funds to provide needed services.

Events such as the Mayor's Healthcare Conference bring together stakeholders to solve community-wide problems.

Transportation alternatives enable seniors and youth to take part in activities and get to medical appointments.

The Kenoi administration continues to support the medical residency program implemented by the University of Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine. These and other initiatives underway will help offset the shortage of health and medical practitioners working in our County.

“We cannot be under any illusions. Health care is a global issue, a national issue, a state issue, and most importantly, a community issue.”

Mayor Billy Kenoi

In 2009 the administration broke ground on the first emergency homeless shelter in West Hawai’i. The 31-bed, $1.77 million facility funded by the County, state and federal governments will fill a longstanding gap in our social services safety net.

In 2010, the Kenoi administration broke ground on the 96-unit Kaloko housing development to serve homeless families with children and to help low-income families at risk of becoming homeless.

June groundbreaking ceremony at Kaloko to construct 96 housing units for low-income families

The administration completed site work, roads and infrastructure for the Waikoloa workforce housing development, and pushed ahead with plans for construction of model homes at the site.

When parents were struggling to cope with teacher furlough days, the Kenoi administration quickly developed and launched a new activity program to give our youth safe and supervised activities during furlough days. The program’s rapid mobilization helped working parents around the island who had no child care alternative.

• 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.
• Built new water spigot stations in Puna, South Kona, Ka’u and Papa’aloa to serve residents on catchment.