2017-05-04 Hearing Transcript - Hilo Lagoon Centre (SMA 17-067)

Home

HENKEL: Begier. Please come forward. Would you raise your right hands, please? Do you swear to tell the truth on this matter before the Planning Commission? WILSON/BEGIER: I do. HENKEL: All right, please state your name and where you reside and proceed. You have three minutes. Speak into the microphone. WILSON: Okay, good morning, Mr. Chairman. I'm Andy Wilson. I have a unit at the Hilo Lagoon Centre, and I've had my unit there for over 30 years. I think we were, my former law partner and myself, were one of the first people to buy a commercial unit when it converted from the hotel. As a result of owning a unit, I've served on the board of directors for over 30 years. Not continuously, but every other term generally. And, in addition to buying the unit in 1986, my mother also bought a residential unit at the same time. I'm here really to speak on behalf of the kupuna and my experience with them living in the Hilo Lagoon. Because, when we first started out, we had a, I would say, reasonable assessment fees that each unit had to pay. When we went through the oil crisis, and our Helco bills started exceeding 50 percent of our budget, we had to increase our maintenance fees annually in order to cover the increased electrical cost. And, in one elevator ride I had with a senior citizen, a friend of my mom at the timeexplaining, she's a retiree, County, State worker retiree, and there were a number of them that lived in the building. And, as our fees increased, their retirement didn't increase, and they found it harder and harder and harder to live in that building. And, as I was talking to this lady going up, her voice started to crack. She had tears in her eyes talking about how she's going to barely be able to meet the last increase in fees that we had. And, I told myself right then we have to do something to get our cost of electricity down. We can't continue to do this to our retirees and the elderly people that live in that building on a fixed income. We can't do it. So, we have been working on a project like this for 20 years at least, probably. Finally, we're at an area of fruition. We're able to do something about it, and we really appreciate your folks concern and willingness to allow us to submit this application to you `cause it's going to really, really help, especially the retirees that live in our building. That's all I wanted to say. HENKEL: Thank you a lot, Mr. Wilson. Ms. Begier? BEGIER: Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. I'm Mary Begier. I own three units that comprise a commercial space where I hold my office. I also serve on the board of directors. I'm currently the vice-president. Our president apologizes that she was unable to be here this morning, and I would just second what Mr. Wilson has had to say. EXHIBIT A 5