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Stacy Higa, Chairman <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> May 1, 2006 <br /> Page Two <br /> In my opinion, this unfortunate course of events has turned the affordable housing <br /> <br /> crisis into an emergency. The increased cost of gasoline has drained any extra funds working <br /> <br /> families have had in the past -funds needed for basic necessities, such as food and utilities. The <br /> <br /> addition of affordable housing in Kona will help to alleviate financial pressure on these working <br /> <br /> families by providing them with places of residence closer to their places of employment. Such <br /> <br /> housing would also help to reduce traffic between HOVE, Captain Cook and Kona. Based upon <br /> <br /> these considerations, Isupport Lava Kuakini, LLC's Rezoning Application on the condition that <br /> <br /> building permits be issued only when 50% of the buildings under construction are designated for <br /> affordable housing. This will also insure that such affordable housing will be integrated with <br /> housing of market value and will not be viewed as a separate community. <br /> With respect to the traffic issues raised by some members of the Council, these <br /> concerns are certainly understandable and legitimate. Although the State is presently in the <br /> process of widening Queen Kaahumalu Highway from Keahole to Kona, more work will still be <br /> needed to lessen the severe traffic burdens presently inflicted upon West Hawaii's drivers from <br /> HOVE to Kona. This work will obviously take time and will not be solved in the short term. <br /> Thus, while there is a critical need for affordable housing, any increase in affordable housing, <br /> wherever located, will inevitably increase traffic pressure. Accordingly, the County Council is <br /> caught on the horns of a dilemma -does it address the affordable housing issue first or does it <br /> wait a few years for road construction to be completed before permitting affordable housing <br /> development to proceed? In that regard, I urge the Council to vote for people first. In my <br /> humble opinion, the need for affordable housing for our working people is far greater than the <br /> need for better traffic flow. As a Kona resident, I would rather sit in traffic knowing that working <br /> people have decent and affordable living accommodations than drive quickly through roads with <br /> the knowledge that my traffic comfort was more important than the overall interests of the <br /> working people of West Hawaii. <br /> Thank you for your consideration. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> CIS L. JiJNG <br /> <br />