2007-05-04 THICDC ORI - Laserfiche WebLink

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Nakatani and the committee from the union sat with the company and decided to get together and make housing. Its unfortunate now that we cannot make more housing for more people. That area was all plantation camps. We talk about we dont want to have Ag land be turned into -. We have Ag land. We have a lot of Ag land there. We have all that sugar land that the lucky rich guys can buy. The poor guy cannot buy. Maybe well break this up a little smaller then maybe one of our guys can buy. They cannot buy 20 acres, but they might be able to scrounge around and get the family together and buy the 5 acres. Were hoping and were trying to encourage our guys to buy. But, you know, Im not against the guy who has got money either. Thats his good luck or her good luck that theyve got money to buy it. But you know what? We were born and raised on this island. You know, I went to Hilo High School, I didnt go to college. But I learned things through the world of hard knocks and working. And I learned the role of you folks as a Commissioner, and I understand that youre going to have to make this decision. And there are a lot of emotions involved, but we cannot make our decision by emotions. Weve got to make our decisions on the right thing to do under our rule and laws; and thebeautypartaboutthisstateisthatwehavelaws.Andso,yes,wewanted30houselots. Maybe we cant get them because weve got requirements to put in, weve got regulations to do, so we might have to reduce it. You know the house that I live on and the lot I have, theres a storm ditch. You know who takes care of that storm ditch? Richard Baker. The plantation made my lot; and to make it like how they said, they had to make an area for runoff and water, and theres a big culvert. I take care of that culvert, I make sure it doesnt get locked up. That was my commitment in getting that lot. And part of the deal on my lot was they reduced my price so I had it a little bit cheaper price for my almost 12,000-square foot lot. And thats why it was a little bit bigger because I got the ditch. And so I take care of the ditch. And when it rains like hell, this boy picks up three to four bags of rubbish for somebody else up there throwing their rubbish down there. But thats my responsibility and I do it. So, you know, because we have affordable housing, this is why this can be done. Yeah, there are a lot of houses around the island that are cheap, that might be cheaper than what they quoted on, but can they qualify for that? Through the affordable housing, the regulations and guideline, and the self-help, it will allow somebody to get a house that normally one cannot get. And thats what its about. Its not about running around and looking for a real estate sign thats got a house thats pretty respectable and the guys can go and get a loan for it. There are certain people that will not be able to have a house; and this is the opportunity for them. This is why we ask you as Commissioners to vote favorably on this, make sure you do your job and make sure that it meets all the guidelines. And Im pretty sure that if the Director is recommending it and is looking at it with the attorneys sitting there, then we should -. You need to do whatever you need to do to make it fit, but at least give people a chance to get a house. Its going to be a little bit more costly because we have to add some stuff, but were trying to keep it as affordable as possible. I know Im not going to get anything for my kids, my kids arent going to get a house lot there. Ive got two of them, theyre on the mainland. But somebodys kids, somebodys family will have a house. So, again, I ask you, please vote in favor. Thank you. GRAHAM:Thank you, Mr. Baker. Were still having long testimony, although its heartfelt and appreciated. Id certainly hope we can at least get the, we have six more to testify, at least get them in for sure before the 12:30 break and maybe we can move even farther along. Any questions first? All right. Thank you, Mr. Baker; and thank you, Mr. Meek. The next three we have are David Miller, Sheridan Kobayashi and Randall Duryea. Are the three of you here? 17EXHIBIT A