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Hawai`i County Charter Commission -3 September 14, 2018 <br />MR. GYOTOKU: Kapehu <br />MS. TODD: Kapehu camp. You were very instrumental in working with private <br />sector as well as federal funding to get those projects done. And so a huge <br />component of the affordable housing inventory on the island is directly a result of <br />the work of the agency. <br />MR. GYOTOKU: And we continue to do that. We have continuous meetings <br />and rapport with private developers wanting to do affordable housing. I have <br />three or four projects in Waikaloa Village that we are trying to get cleared out <br />because of the unexploded ordinances and we are really close to getting that <br />cleared and as soon as we do, they will be able to receive federal funds from <br />Department of Housing and Urban Development to help build the projects over <br />there. That's about, roughly about 600 units, affordable housing units. <br />MS. TODD: Thank you for your work. <br />MR. GYOTOKU: Yeah. You're welcome and your brother, thank you. Her <br />brother was my boss in the past. <br />CHR. ADAMS: Commissioner Rice. <br />MS. RICE: I just have one quick question. Are you comfortable as far as your <br />position and not being in the Charter? <br />MR. GYOTOKU: I am really not sure one way or the other. Because I guess we <br />never was in so I don't know what really is the advantage or any disadvantage. I <br />only know that my staff, which is a very good staff, they continue to look for <br />sources in the federal government for funding, especially to build affordable <br />housing which is not very easy. You cannot build affordable housing without any <br />type of federal assistance right now days. <br />The thing about our problem right here, especially in Kona is the infrastructure, <br />especially sewer and water is a real limiting factor of how much housing we can <br />build like that. It's easy for Waikaloa because they have their own private sewer <br />and water system which we can tap in to, but other areas, it is very difficult. <br />MS. RICE: So you right now, you have the flexibility and the capability given <br />the funding constraints, to do -what you need to do? <br />MR. GYOTOKU: There's no, I think there's a lot of constraints placed upon us <br />by the federal government who issues those funds and it is a real complex, I <br />wouldn't say... <br />MS. RICE: But being in the Charter wouldn't help you with that. <br />Page 25 <br />