HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0989.120 2018-2020 MERIDIAN PACIFIC LTD.
July 22, 2020
COUNTY CLERK
Honorable Aaron Chung, Council Chair COUNTY OF HAWAI'I
Hawaii County Council RECEIVED
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1402 Time 5'.2q am By
Hilo,Hawaii 96720
Dai JUL 2 ;3 .2020
Chair Chung, and members of the Council:
RE: Relating to Bill 179 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A COUNTY
CONSTRUCTION CODE,RELATING TO BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
AND RELATED SYSTEMS WITHIN A BUILDING UNDER
CONSTRUCTION BY AMENDING THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983
(2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED),AS FOLLOWS:
1) ADOPTING NEW CHAPTERS 5 (CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE
CODE), 5A(BUILDING CODE), 5D (ELECTRICAL CODE), 5E (ENERGY
CONSERVATION CODE),AND 5F(PLUMBING CODE);
2) AMENDING CHAPTER 2, SECTION 2-39; CHAPTER 3, SECTIONS 3-
14 AND 3- 15; AND CHAPTER 25, SECTIONS 25- 1- 5,25-4- 10,AND 25-
4- 60;AND
3) REPEALING CHAPTERS 5 (BUILDING CODE), 9(ELECTRICAL
CODE),AND 17 (PLUMBING CODE
Dear Chairman Chung:
I am writing to you today in support of Bill 179.My name is Colin Thompson,
and I am the Vice President of Construction for Meridian Pacific Ltd. Meridian Pacific
Ltd. is the owner and developer of the Puna Kai Shopping Center, Waikoloa Plaza, and
the Lofts at Waikoloa. We focus on developing with the goal of fulfilling the needs of
smaller communities.
I strongly support the County of Hawaii's reform of the permitting process by
utilizing a one permit system. Quicker permit times will allow contractors to transition
between projects seamlessly. This will allow them to keep their employees working,
rather than putting them on unemployment as they wait for permits between projects.
These benefits will be shared throughout the industry, including small contractors, large
contractors, clients, and the County of Hawaii.
Comm.No. . •
Ref.To: P COuMCA
Ref. note 1 ��
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I am also in favor of leaving appendix L as-is. Hawaii is one of the most remote
places in the world. The cost of construction is higher than any place in the nation. We
need to give options to the community so they can determine what is the best route to go
for their families,regarding housing type. When natural disasters occur,we gather
together as one big hui and help our neighbors. I feel that if modular housing was
available during Iniki, many families could have returned to normal much quicker and
with a lot less problems. Modular housing has a specific purpose. It is quick and
economical':..,=It allows pad prep to occur simultaneously of building construction,cutting
the time until i..ova in in half I do not feel that allowing factory-built housing will take
away any:vbik from the contractors on the island. A contractor is still needed to set the
units and.make the final,connectjons. Carpenters are still needed to build the walls.
Electricians arestill needed to wire it. The only difference is the location which these
scopes of work occur.
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I commend the County of Hawaii's efforts in identifying processes which can
help streamline the building industry and create economic growth during these uncertain
times.
Sincerely,
////
Colin Thompson
VP of Construction
Meridian Pacific Ltd.
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