Seeking Hawaii Island's Incoming Mayor
Photo Story by Jalyssa Kamamo Atualevao
On Sept. 21, 2024 the Big Island Press Club hosted an event in search of obtaining the next Big Island mayor for a new term in November 2024 at Hilo Yacht Club, located in Keaukaha. Broken into three sections within that day, it started with the mayoral candidate reception for Mitch Roth and Kimo Alameda, followed by a luncheon of finger foods like crispy gau gee and watercress tofu tea sandwiches. It concluded with the anticipated question and answer forum that was also recorded live in case one was unable to be physically present.
Congratulations on behalf of the Ke Kalahea team to the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo student attendees, as well as the scholarship recipients of the Big Island Press Club (BIPC) Scholarship. In no particular order, present at this civically engaged event were: Amaya Hirata, Suliasi Fa’anunu, Lichen Foster, Jasmin Camacho, Jalyssa K. Atualevao, Maya-Lin Green, and Megan Moseley.
Behind the Hilo Yacht Club, Kanakea (Reed's Bay) holds the magnificent backdrop for the Meet the Hawai'i Island Mayor event, hosted by the Big Island Press Club and it's co-sponsors.
UH Hilo Political Science undergraduate Suliasi Fa'anunu and UH Hilo English professor Patsy Y. Iwasaki enjoying the luncheon provided at the Hilo Yacht Club.
Q&A Forum moderators and panelist John Burnett (left) and Amaya Hirata (right) delegating questions pertaining to the mayoral candidate's standings on current promised policies and future endeavors in the making. Current mayor and running for another full term to the right of Hirata, is Mitch Roth.
The Q&A Forum portion of this event would have not went as smoothly as it did if it weren't for the Big Island Press Club past President member Michael Phillips (left), Vice President member John Burnett (middle), and current UHH Political Science Club President Amaya Hirata (right).
Mitch Roth (left) and Dr. Kimo Alameda (right) posing together before their debate in the Keaukaha at the Hilo Yacht Club.