Tourism Displaced: Ironman’s Real Impact on Kona’s Local Economy

Mayor Kimo Alameda is holding a final Town Hall meeting: 📅 Tuesday, 5:30–7:00 PM📍 Make‘o Pavilion at Old Airport If we want a say in Kona’s future, now is the time. Show up. Share your mana‘o. Let’s make sure the decisions made today reflect the hard lessons — and wasted money — of the past. Mahalo to Our Leaders Mahalo to Mayor Kimo Alameda, Council Member Rebecca Villegas, and 365 Hawaii Island Community Fund for pulling the community together on Saturday.It’s powerful to see leadership and respectful conversation at a time when real listening is rare.With almost all in attendance opposed to the idea, few had other solutions.(Personal note: Kuakini Highway must be widened before any one-way plan moves forward.) Why the Past Matters Today Yesterday, I had the chance to speak and remind our leaders of a history many may not know. We have a new administration, new decision-makers, and 60% more residents since the last time this failed — making it even more critical to learn from the past before repeating it: These timelines were shared with Mayor Kimo Alameda and Council Member Rebecca Villegas - but should be spoken to at the meeting Tuesday 1974 — One-Way Ali‘i Drive AttemptThe County tried making Ali‘i Drive one-way.Public outrage, traffic jams, and confusion killed the plan almost immediately. 1999 — Paid Parking at Coconut GrovePaid parking was introduced, enforced by Diamond Parking.Businesses quickly lost customers.Locals and visitors pushed back hard.Within a year and a half, the system collapsed under pressure without needing government interference. 2004 — Another One-Way PilotDepartment of Public Works launched another one-way test when Kona had about 28,500 residents.Goal: Improve pedestrian safety and deliveries.Result: Massive congestion on Kuakini Highway and side streets.Public backlash ended the project early — after spending significant taxpayer money setting it up.(Personal note: I was a prisoner in my own office. It took over an hour just to get out and back.) 2013 — Expert Warning IgnoredA new administration revisited the idea, population now at 37,800Warren Lee, Director of Public Works — a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) and respected leader of major infrastructure projects across Hawai‘i — publicly warned:"Any one-way proposal must be contingent on the completion of alternate routes to absorb displaced traffic.Public health, safety, and overall traffic flow must improve — not worsen — before any change is made." 2023 — Paid Parking ReturnsPaid parking was reintroduced in Kailua Village.Same pattern: fewer visitors, frustrated residents, half-empty parking lots. 2025 — Déjà Vu?A new one-way proposal is on the table.Kona’s population has jumped 60% since the last failure — from about 28,000 to 45,000 people today. The Pattern is Crystal Clear Every time these changes were rushed without real planning, they failed — wasting time, wasting money, and hurting local businesses. 📣 Show Up Tomorrow We cannot afford another repeat. Show up tomorrow. We owe it to our community — and our tax dollars — to learn from the past and plan responsibly.🗓 Final Town Hall🕠 Tuesday, 5:30–7:00 PM📍 Make‘o Pavilion at Old Airport