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| Dr. Christian Kimo Alameda swears in to become new Hawai'i County Mayor on Monday. Photo by Julia Neal |
DR. KIMO ALAMEDA TOOK THE OATH AND BECAME MAYOR OF HAWAI'I COUNTY on Monday, while Kelden Waltjen, JD recommitted to another term as County Prosecuting Attorney and Kaʻū's Dr. Michelle Galimba was sworn in with eight other County Council members.
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Hunnay Demello, of Ka'u, dances at Monday's ceremony with County Council Chair Dr. Holeko Goro Inaba at left and Ka'ū Council member Dr. Michelle Galimba at right. Photo by Julia Neal |
Alameda said that the last time an inauguration and swearing in for the county had taken place on Kona side was in the 1960s. He promised to work for the populace in every district of Hawai'i County.
Guests who quietly attended included Kaʻū's former representative in the U.S. Congress and recently elected Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Kai Kahele, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and Gov. Josh Green.
The opening featured Kumu Hula Keala Ching's Oli, presentation of flags, the U.S. National Anthem, singing the island's national anthem Hawai'i Pono'i, Kamehameha School Chaplain Brian Boshard's invocation and the emcee throughout, Lorna Lim.
The mayor said he celebrates protecting the people and also their recreation and mentioned getting the new lighting up and on at Nāʻālehu ballpark soon.
He said his department is comprised of 108 employees and that their way of work is to "surrender the me for the we." He said their mission includes the following:
Alameda talked about being born and raised on this island and the strength drawn from his immediate family, with seven children and his late wife Star. He thanked his many relatives who live on island and hundreds who worked on his campaign. He said he celebrates the diversity of this island's population and talked about the many celebrations from Hawaiian Makahiki and Christmas to Hannukkah, Kawanzaa and special days for Buddhism and Islam.
He said he is in the mayorship to support the labor force, including the county workers. "We have to love on our County workers." He talked about a caring approach to folks working and living together in Hawai'i County and said, "Nobody cares how much we know until they know how much we care." He said he wants to reduce divisiveness and said it's not about the "left Shaka or the Right Shaka." It's about "the Double Shaka."
He said he is in the mayorship to support the labor force, including the county workers. "We have to love on our County workers." He talked about a caring approach to folks working and living together in Hawai'i County and said, "Nobody cares how much we know until they know how much we care." He said he wants to reduce divisiveness and said it's not about the "left Shaka or the Right Shaka." It's about "the Double Shaka."
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| County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen, JD |
Chair of the County Council Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba began his presentation in 'olelo, the Hawaiian language. He called the County Council, mayoral and administrative transition "a new tide." He said the work is grounded in the 'aina - the land. He said the 'aina is the kupuna - the elder. Aloha is the model.
County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen noted that he, the new Mayor and County Council Chair are all part Hawaiian and are committed to preserving the way of life here. He quoted IZ, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole singing, "Be strong, know who you are, no be shame, stand up, E Ala E." A good number of the people attending the ceremonies are Hawaiian.
Waltjen bemoaned the saying of "Our keiki is our greatest export," and talked about a way to keep them home, from moving away for jobs and affordability when they grow up. He said the Big Island is the place that should be seen as "the mainland," where young people work and live.
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| Raylene Auli'i Fujikawa Moses led Alameda's Kaʻū campaign. She is a leader in establishing the first Hawaiian language immersion school in Kaʻū. |
Accountability - Hold offenders responsible for their actions, crimes.
Support - Give assistance, help to victims of crime.
Care - Help heal offenders and reduce recidivism as they work back into the community.
Prevention - Programs to help deter people from committing crimes.
Waltjen noted that Hawai'i County has the only Restorative Justice Program in the state and one of the few in the country. Restorative Justice aims to restore the harm done to victims and to help offenders understand harm they cause and assist in providing a chance at redeeming themselves.
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KAʻŪ WON A NAIL BITER IN GIRLS BASKETBALL Monday evening ![]()
at Kaʻū Herkes District Gym. Varsity beat Honoka‘a 44-40. Coach Troy Gacayan said, "It was a very tough and close game but the girls never gave up and kept battling until the end. It was definitely an entire team effort." He said, "I am so proud of these girls for learning early in the season to keep playing hard until the final buzzer. These lessons on grit and tenacity will go a long way not just in basketball but in life as well. Keep up the. hard work girls!"
The next game is at home this Thursday, Dec. 5 with JV at 5:30 p.m. and Varsity to follow. Trojans will host Kamehameha, which is the defending champion of the BIIF D2 Division.
Trojans are 2-0 for the season, defeating D2 Honoka'a and D1 Kea'au.
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