WAIKOLOA, Hawai'i — New Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi says he plans to emphasize safety, health and sustainability over tourism.

The mayor, who took office Dec. 1, said tourism may be important, but providing for Big Island residents is his priority.

"Before we make sure Hawai'i Island is a great place to visit, we have to make sure it is a great place to live," he said last week. "It'll be challenging for the next 12, 18, even 24 months."

Kenoi was speaking at the Big Island Visitors Bureau annual luncheon at The Fairmont Orchid. He said his primary goal will be to create a stable environment for families.

"And that's hard unless you have jobs," he said.

Kenoi said the top three employers on the Big Island are the state, county and federal governments. The fourth-largest employer is the Hilton Waikoloa Village, followed by KTA SuperStores and a handful of other resorts.

"We need to secure what we have that has the greatest impact," he said. "We must support the businesses that support the tourism industry."

The loss of two Norwegian Cruise Line ships this year, Kenoi said, resulted in the loss of 10,000 jobs and took a $1 billion bite out of the state economy.

"The focus is capacity. We've got to fill hotels" because their guests support retail stores, restaurants, car rental companies and a slew of other employers, he said.

Kenoi said the Big Island Visitors Bureau is "heading in the right direction," with the addition of Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines flights coming directly to Kona.