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FRANCIS L. JUNG 75-170 Hualalai Road, Suite D-2I4~ Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 ~ ~ r May 1, 2006 VIA Email and U.S. Mail STACY HIGA, Chairman Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Change of Zone Application - REZ OS-021- A-Sa to RM-2.5 Deaz Chairman Higa: This letter is written in my individual capacity in support of Change of Zoning Application REZ.OS-021 submitted by Lava Kuakini, I,LC with respect to TMK: (3) 7-5-17'. pors. 2 & 3 from Agricultural Sato Multiple Family.Residential 2.5. This project contemplates the development of a 212 u[rit housing project, 50% of which will be composed of affordable housing. At present, the Hawaii County Department of Water Supply has allocated only 50 water units for the project but has stated its intent to supply the remainder needed. I understand that some members of the Hawaii County Council have reservations approving this Application based upon concerns over water and traffic. My support for this Application is substantially based upon my efforts for the past three yeazs to bring 1,000 to 2,000 units of affordable housing to Kona. At present, the inventory of affordable housing in West Hawaii is at, or near, zero. As the Hawaii Island Director of the Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii ("HCDCH"), I and my fellow Boazd members have endeavored to both renovate existing government housing in West Hawaii and to create new and affordable housing for West Hawaii's working families. To that end, the State of Hawaii has made available 272 acres of land in Kealakehe for this purpose. An even lazger tract of adjacent land has been made available for development of affordable housing by the Department of Hawaiian Homelands ("DHHL"). In order for either of these projects to move forward, however, water is a critical necessity. In its efforts to meet this urgent need, this County Council has approved bonding in the amount of $25,000,000.00 for the purpose of bringing water to the North Kona District. Another $12,000,000.00 has been requested by Governor Lingle to provide the additional amount required to complete this much needed North Kona Water Project. As you are probably aware, however, despite a $600,000,000 state surplus, the House Finance Committee chaired by Representative Dwight Takamine, District 1, Hilo, and the Senate Ways and Means Committee, whose members include Russell Kokubun, District 2, Puna, Ka'u, failed to approve the Governor's budget request and move this item to the full legislature For a vote. Consequently, one of Governor Lingle's and HCDCH's primary efforts to provide affordable housing for West Hawaii would appeaz to have been effectively halted for another year. bgo.9 Rsf. Tai---1~d ~ Ref. Date 1