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_ _ _ _ _ <br /> vv w <br /> <br /> STACY K. RIGA c~ ~ Mailing Address: <br /> lit (Former C'ounry Building/ <br /> Council Member 25 Aupuni Street <br /> District 9 Milo, //awai'i 96720 <br /> Business Address: <br /> <br /> PHONE: (808) 961-8396 333 Kilauea Avenue, 2id F7oor <br /> FAX: (808) 961-8912 Ben Franklin Building <br /> EMAIL: shiga(aco.hawaii.hi.us Hilo, yawai'i 96720 <br /> HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL <br /> r~.: <br /> January 2, 2007 ~ ~ ~ <br /> - r~ <br /> TO: Chairman Pilago and Committee Members -ti <br /> Committee of Planning ~ <br /> v <br /> FROM: Stacy K. Higa, Council Member ~r l <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> SUBJECT: Resolution No. 21-07: Resolution Proposing an Amendment to Chapter 25, <br /> Zoning Code, Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as Amended), <br /> Relating to Retail Establishments <br /> I have been working and researching this proposed ordinance for the past four to five months. <br /> This has been a very difficult matter in balancing the needs of our community. On one side, you <br /> have the consumer looking for the best pricing and deals possible; and you have the local <br /> business community on the other side, facing a small mazket, shipping challenges, volume <br /> pricing and long standing employee benefits. In deliberating this bill, please ask yourselves what <br /> does a superstore bring to our community? We are struggling with growth issues and <br /> infrastructure issues, yet local retailers are driven out of the market. These superstores typically <br /> raise their prices anywhere from 10% to70%, impacting the consumers and giving them little <br /> choice as there aze no longer competitors in the market. These superstores purchase local <br /> products on a very small scale, impacting local fazmers, ranchers, wholesalers and businesses, <br /> choosing to mass purchase and supply from their mainland warehouses. <br /> I present this proposed ordinance in an effort to educate ourselves on the impacts of what could <br /> possibly alter the economic landscape of our island. I am not opposed to competition. I would <br /> like to keep the playing field as level as possible so that our consumers can have the best <br /> opportunity to choose for themselves where they would like to shop. I brought forward a <br /> specific square footage requirement and a specific SKU requirement, and I believe that this will <br /> still allow large retailers to enter our market and compete locally. <br /> I apologize that family matters do not allow me the opportunity to be present for this discussion. <br /> I will definitely be back for the reading at Council, and I hope that you can support passing this <br /> resolution. <br /> SKH/de <br /> Serving the lnteresls of the People of Our island <br /> Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. COfl107. NO. <br /> Ref. To: Pree~stal <br /> Ref. Uate~rtr.rna ~nm <br /> <br />