On Tuesday night, Mitch Roth hosted his second community town hall at the Old Airport Pavilion in Kailua-Kona.

Joined by cabinet members, Mayor Roth delivered community-specific updates, provided departmental information, and highlighted ongoing projects to over one hundred in-person attendees and many more who participated online.

The event was comprised of approximately 45 minutes of updates followed by a community Q&A session that dominated the meeting.

Residents addressed a number of County matters, with a particular focus on affordability, over-development, and wastewater concerns. State-level issues were also raised and discussed, including traffic congestion on Mamalahoa and Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway and challenges at Honokohau Harbor.

In response to the community’s high-priority topics, the administration provided updates on ongoing efforts, such as converting cesspools along Aliʻi Drive, developing “truly” affordable housing, and improving the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant. These initiatives include constructing over 1,000 housing units in West Hawaiʻi, set to enter the market over the next two years at affordable rates ranging from 30-80% AMI.

The meeting also saw residents express personal concerns about squatters, the well-being of monk seals, feral cats, and homelessness. Furthermore, community members praised the administration’s dedicated efforts, with one woman inquiring about opportunities to contribute and support the administration’s priorities.

In a press release Mayor Mitch Roth said, “Our town hall series was designed to embrace the diverse range of issues and perspectives brought to our attention, whether positive, negative, or somewhere in between. As public servants, it is our responsibility to address the unique needs of each community and tackle broader challenges that impact us all. No community is too small or distant for their concerns to matter, and we eagerly anticipate continuing this series to delve deeper into the core issues with even more of our residents as we seek practical solutions to our most pressing matters.”

The next community town hall is scheduled for June 27th at the Waikōloa Elementary Cafeteria from 5 pm to 7 pm. All community members are encouraged to participate.

Those who missed the recent town halls can access recordings on Mayor Roth’s Facebook page (facebook.com/himayormitch) and Nā Leo TV, Channel 55.

Photo credit: Office of Mayor Roth