Spotlight Now: Hawaii County mayoral candidates discuss economy, short-term rentals, homelessness, and more

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Incumbent Mitch Roth is set to face challenger Kimo Alameda in a general election runoff for Hawaii County mayor.

Meet the candidates

Incumbent Mitch Roth is seeking a second term after winning the seat in 2020. He has built a career in law enforcement, serving eight years as Hawaii County prosecutor. He was a deputy prosecutor on Hawaii Island and in Honolulu before that. The 59-year-old is a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Whittier Law School.

Challenger Kimo Alameda is a psychologist. Born on Hawaii Island, he grew up on a ranch in Waiakea Uka. The 54-year-old is a graduate of Hawaii Pacific University and UH Manoa, and earned his doctorate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has worked extensively in public health and has led the Hawaii County fentanyl task force.

The two candidates joined “Spotlight Now” Tuesday for a special debate prior to the Nov. 5 general election.

Watch the debate in its entirety or scroll down to watch individual questions and responses.

Questions

Each election cycle, we hear buzz around “diversifying the economy,” and yet we continue to be heavily reliant on tourism. How would you specifically work to diversity Hawaii Island’s economy?

What is your 5-year plan to solve homelessness and affordable housing? Mahalo @Gracelarson7528 for this question.

Mayor Roth touted his record when talking about homelessness, “We started with over a 1000 people homeless this last year” he said the Point-In-Time count showed a 28% decrease.”

Roth also talked about his 13-point plan that works with various agencies to help those on the streets.

He also said the city has been working with a group that reunites homeless with relatives in other states.

Alameda responded that the administration isn’t working enough to help those suffering from mental illness and drug addiction.

“Our administration will be concerned about the almost homeless, because people are homeless not because they ran out of money, they ran out of relationships.” Alameda said many of them burned bridges with family members.

There’s a new law that gives counties the authority to regulate and even phase out short-term rentals. This is designed, in part, to create more long term affordable housing. If elected, how would you use this power?

According to the state, there are about 50,000 cesspools on Hawaii Island. These are supposed to be phased out by 2050, but the cost is astronomical. Can we meet that deadline? How should the county expand sewer service to residents, as well as upkeep aging wastewater treatment systems?

Dr. Alameda, you’ve criticized Mayor Roth for devoting more resources to the Hilo side, at the expense of the Kona side of the island. What would you do differently? Mayor Roth, do you think these criticisms are fair, and have you done enough for West Hawaii residents?

There is a disagreement over hazard pay between the mayor’s office and county workers. The workers say they are owed millions of dollars for risking their lives and working through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. What’s your response?

Alameda said three of the four major unions are backing him in part, because he supports COVID-19 hazard pay for county workers.

Roth said the 25% hazard pay for every union worker and every county employee would cost too much.

“I could have taken $80,000 for myself. This is a lot of money $75M dollars.”

Alameda said the county needs to find the money because those workers risked their own safety to keep the community safe during the pandemic.

Do you feel TMT should be built? Mahalo @1donnapril for this question.

The Thirty Meter Telescope is still a hot topic for voters, a decade after protests began.

Alameda said he wanted to renegotiate the value for the county, protect cultural sites and he wanted a timeline on when TMT would be decommissioned. “I want to know the year,” he said.

Alameda said he was part of the opposition in 2015 and pointed out that Roth was not.

Alameda said discussions are happening now and he is willing to be part of those discussions to get the telescope built.

Roth has been a supporter, saying it was crucial to bringing good jobs to the island to keep keiki at home.

In 2015, Roth was the Prosecuting Attorney for Hawaii Island. He said when arrests started happening, he called for “ho’oponopono” he said he asked that the people work together, which appears to be happening now.

The South Hilo Sanitary Landfill is nearing the end of its capacity, and the island has limited landfill space. The landfill is also old and doesn’t meet federal regulations for environmental safety. What is your plan to deal with the trash issues facing the island?

Please state the political party you are each registered for and how you voted in 2020. Mahalo @tnehorttor for your submission.

Both men said they voted for President Joe Biden in the 2020 election.

Both said they have not decided on who they will vote for next month. Alameda said his family was divided with his sons voting for Former President Donald Trump and his daughters voting for Vice President Kamala Harris.

Roth said he is not registered as a Republican or a Democrat, “it’s ideas versus a party,” he said.

Alameda was critical that Roth didn’t pick a party.

“If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything,” he said he was born and raised a Democrat but knows his supports come from all different parties and said his views are more conservative.

On the day of the Lahaina tragedy, there were several wildfires burning on Hawaii Island. What are your plans to address wildfire threats to the island?

Closing statements: Each candidate had one minute to share a final message to viewers.

Hawaii News Now political analyst Colin Moore shares his thoughts on the candidates’ conversation and weighs in on the race.

Colin Moore, HNN Political Analyst, said the race is “too close to call” and thought both candidates did well.

He said he usually gives the edge to the incumbent, and Roth is good at pointing out his successes of his first term. He has numbers to back up his statements.

But, Moore said Alameda’s union endorsements are a game changer.

Alameda also is charismatic and running a strong campaign based on change.

“I honestly don’t know who will win this election,” said Moore.

While the discussions did have some finger pointing, the men were respectful, they did not interrupt each other or raise their voices.

Roth and Alameda actually left the HNN studios together in an Uber.

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