HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0970.014 2018-2020 From: Alaka'i Academy COUNTY CLERK
Sent: Monday, July 06, 2020 3:49 PM COUNTY CE HAWAIII
To: Council Testimony C
EIVEDTiine pm BY
Subject: Resolution 666-20
3:qq
Date
I am writing to share with you how my small business was affected by covid-19.
I own Alaka'i Academy, a preschool in Kona serving approximately 70 families. Last January, we were full and had
approximately 35 children on a waitlist. Things were going well. In March, Governor Ige, via executive order, laid off
nearly half of Hawaii's workforce. Think about that. He forced everyone to stay home and work from home or not
work at all. Ige shut down virtually all tourism and small commerce. As a result, nearly 50% of the State's workforce
was unemployed overnight.
My business got hit hard. My enrollment and waitlist vanished. Our average daily attendance went from 65 to 12. I
chose to remain open to support essential workers. My willingness to provide our services to essential workers didn't
help our financial performance. My customers wanted to send their children to our school but faced fines and even
jail time if they did. Rent, debt servicing, payroll, utilities, and all other business expenses kept coming. We had
accumulated losses over $100,000 from March until June. It wasn't until July that we finally had enrollment sufficient
to break even.
Imagine having to pay over $100,000 in "covid-19 taxes". Well,that's how I feel. I didn't bring the virus to the island.
I didn't get sick nor did I pass it on. No one in our business got sick, and yet, my life savings are gone... Many people
stayed home and received 100% of their salary in unemployment insurance, plus additional $6001month in Federal
unemployment relief under CARES plus the IRS Coronavirus Tax Relief checks. I got nothing. My savings got
depleted and I was left holding a heavy bag that nearly broke my back. How is that fair?
I am not alone here. Small businesses like myself provide employment for our community, serve our families, our
keiki, and pay more than a fair share of taxes. Please extend relief to small businesses in our community. And please
stand up for our island and don't ever allow another shut down.
Respectfully,
:uabla PenMoza
F esident I Alaka'i Academy
JCftice Tori Free Fax 677.346.4212
}3 L uhia Street, KaiBua Kona, SII 96740
www.AlakaiAcademy.com
Comm. No.
Ref. o:_ C CGU
Ref. ate .1111 0 8 2021
1