2024-03-30 PL-CCI-2024-000003 Bill 121 Concerned Citizen Testimony

Home

To Whom It May Concern: I would like to offer my testimony to oppose Bill 121. I am forced to do so anomalously due to the situations many of us have witnessed of how when a TAR host attempts to voice their concerns they become a "target" by the Hawaii County Planning Department that directly threatens the livelihoods of those directly (hosts) and indirectly (housekeepers, landscapers etc) involved. Sadly, I know many TAR hosts or locals (housekeepers, landscapers, and maintenance workers) will not present their testimonies due to this very real fear so many of us have experiences that the council that represents us does not listen (as have been very present with Councilperson Kimball during the development of this bill- 'don't bother trying, it will just fall on deaf ears"is a common comment amongst so many of us) and/or the ramifications and fears that will happen if we do speak up regarding our concerns. I do hope that the present Council will listen to the people they represent and review the majority of opposition this Bill has generated since its conception. Myself and most TAR owners understand the real situation and that new strategies need to be established for a better future for Hawaii and its residents. The core of our opposition is solely due to the 'fall on deaf ears"we have experienced with this bill and the short-sightedness of so many items in this Bill. All we ask is to work with us. Not against us. 1. This is testimony for Bill 121/TAR 2. My TAR is in the South Kona District. 3. The income from my TAR has allowed me to maintain my property and pay taxes and establish enough supplemental income that I have been able to put money back into the local community including providing income to multiple service providers (housekeepers, landscapers, maintenance workers etc), so they and their families may continue to live and grow up here in Hawaii. After speaking with my workers about how Councilperson Kimball wants to significantly reduce or eliminate TARS to make more housing available for them... which also means eliminating TARS eliminates their jobs as housekeepers, landscapers, and maintenance workers.... they are very scared! Councilperson Kimball's approach that is presented in Bill 121, in an attempt to solve a problem, will instead, create many more problems in its wake. Sadly, many locals are unaware this will happen to them and/or they are scared to speak up to the Council about how this Bill directly hurts them much, much more than helps them.