HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0044.137 2020-2022 P/Council
comm.NW
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII
RECEIVED
Time 10:15 Pm. Ey die
February 2, 2021 FEB B 02 2021
To: Members of the County Council, County of Hawaii
I am once again writing in support of Zendo Kern as Planning Director. I am a Realtor,
functioning mainly as a buyer's agent for Team Nakanishi at Hawai'i Life Real Estate
Brokers.
Unfortunately,we Realtors® often have a bad rep-we're called money hungry and
untrustworthy. But, in a place like Hawai'i Island, most of our clients are our friends, or
they eventually become them. I think I can speak for most of us when I say we want the
absolute best for them.
So, I would have to argue with the common misconception that Realtors®, contractors,
and developers are driving up the market, causing homeownership to be out of reach for
the average citizen. Instead, I would like to point out that many of the homes under
$3ooK(in this current market),have major permitting issues that don't qualify for
financing, or at the very least, require large down payments which most of our locals
don't have. If a home in that price range is permitted, it's often located in lower lava
zones (1 or 2)where insurance costs add an extra $300-$40o/month or more.
Currently, most of my clients are buying with interest rates in the low 2-3% range.An
extra $400/month is like adding an additional $1ooK to the mortgage. It's not a viable
option.
Additionally,the constant pushback developers and contractors get is outrageous. Not
all of them want to build for the wealthy.We currently have 3x more demand than
inventory and need houses-economics 101 says demand drives prices. Current building
permit and variance turnaround times are prohibitive. This dynamic is driving prices in
the wrong direction to support local homeownership.We desperately need more homes
to bring costs down for our local citizens. And, at this moment in time,with the low
interest rates, rentals are often more expensive than homeownership because we don't
have enough of those, either.
Homeownership is unobtainable for so many of our locals for reasons that could be
resolved with a passionate, thoughtful, well rounded leader in the planning department.
At the last county meeting I witnessed every one of you speak to Zendo's passion, and
knowledge, around the subject of land use and planning. I also heard testifiers downplay
the significance of Realtor®testimony. But the truth is Realtors® are extremely aware,
and understand,the challenges that exist within the planning department because were
often tasked with finding resolutions to planning issues for our buyers and sellers. I can
personally attest that it is often difficult to get clear answers from the planning
department. This is why I know so many Realtors®that referred to Zendo as a trusted
resource.
There are a shocking number of unpermitted structures, set back and land use issues,
etc. on our island. Of the go properties our team sold last year, I would(confidently)
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estimate 9o%had an issue to resolve or a problem a buyer had to accept as a condition
of purchasing the home: It is a well-known fact that homeownership is one avenue to
achieving financial security. But,when property ownership comes with so many
unknowns, it deters locals who feel it is too risky.
Then, there are the countless locals that just want to provide shelter for their family.
They buy an inexpensive piece of land and build an unpermitted home because they
can't navigate the building process;they have no support. Because unpermitted
structures are generally not financeable,these individuals will likely never recoup the
cost to build. If they decide to sell, they will sell for land value, or at a major discount.
Additionally,the ohana rules need to be revisited because it prohibits additional
dwellings on Ag lands which puts strain on so many ohana needing to share one
property.
Zendo understands these issues.
These problems bleed into every other area of life on the island. Lack of affordable
housing causes mass amounts of stress, which leads to health issues, mental issues,
domestic violence, children not getting the support they need to excel in school, and
drug problems. Drug problems create more crime.
No - I'm not being dramatic.This is what we are doing to our people when we make it
hard to build and/or improve upon existing structures.We create a hopeless community
that feels they can never get ahead.
When people are worried about their health, safety, and future,they become less
concerned with laws, rules, and regulations. Poverty and crime persist in environments
like this. Isn't it our goal as a community to support our citizens-ALL OF THEM- not
just the vocal minority of whom to me appear to be wealthy imports?
This brings me to the next topic: I.e., certain council member's issue with the wording of
the charter. It appears to me this is not the real issue. I can't make sense of what it could
truly be other than an easy way out of facing vocal constituents who don't want to see
Zendo in the planning department because of personal vendetta that could quite
honestly be solved in more peaceful ways; for example,by changing the wording of their
CC&R's.
Zendo was deemed by the selection committee as the most qualified candidate, amongst
a group of well qualified candidates - some with degrees. Multiple attorneys reviewed
the charter and agree Zendo is qualified.And,to put this whole thing into perspective -
the president of the United States is not even required to have a college degree. In fact,
according to Article II of the United States Constitution,the only requirements of
president are that they be natural born, 35 years of age or older, and have lived in the US
for 14 years or longer.
By voting"no"you are allowing our problems to persist.You're doing more damage to
our island's people than you're doing good. Zendo wants to make a change for the better
- I know deep down you know this. He gave up a thriving business to serve our
community. If he is not confirmed, the code of ethics does not allow him to return to
that business for at least a year. I can't think of anyone else willing torisk everything for
the betterment of our community. This is exactly the type of leader we need.
We need change in the planning department—we need someone who can effectively
communicate with the employees so they're able to effectively communicate with the
public.You know Zendo is capable of this. I truly hope you all do the right thing.
Mahalo for your consideration,
Kealohanui Browning, MBA, CIPS