HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0078.005 2020-2022 PiGOUnd
OHM.71
Testimony of
Pacific Resource Partnership
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAI'I County of Hawaii
RECEIVED County Council
Time 1:OO9,14. BY Maile Medeiros David, Chair
Date FEB 0 2 2021 Aaron S.Y. Chung,Vice Chair
Nomination of Dennis Lin To the Windward Planning Commission
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Aloha Chair David,Vice Chair Chung, and Members of the Council:
Pacific Resource Partnership (PRP) is a non-profit market recovery trust fund which represents
approximately 7,000 men and women union carpenters and 240 large and small contractors.With our
expertise in research, compliance, marketing,and project advocacy,we are committed to building a
stronger, more sustainable Hawaii in a way that promotes a vibrant economy, creates jobs, and enhances
the quality of life for all residents of Hawaii.
PRP writes in opposition to Mr. Dennis Lin's nomination to the Windward Planning Commission (WPC).
As a commissioner on the WPC, Mr. Lin's official duties would include advising the mayor, council and
planning director on planning and land use matters, such as zoning and petitions for state land use district
boundary amendments. Developers pursue these land entitlements in order to build housing, commercial
buildings, and other types of structures.
Mr. Lin's resume indicates he is currently employed by HPM Building Supply as the Program Manager for
HalePlus. HPM established an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) where employees own 100%of
company stock through the ESOP.As an employee of HPM, we are concerned that Mr. Lin may have an
ownership interest in the company which would potentially conflict with his duties as a WPC
commissioner.
At the January 19, 2021 Committee on Planning meeting, some committee members voiced concerns
regarding Mr. Lin's connection to HPM. Mr. Lin responded that "HPM is a lumber supply company that in
no way influences planning." HPM is more than a lumber supply company. HPM also markets its modular
housing concept, HalePlus, on its website and in the media.The company has also worked with the
County's Building Division and Council on policies specific to factory-built or modular housing. HPM
profits when its products are sold to contractors and developers. More specifically,we are concerned
that Mr. Lin may own company stock through the ESOP.
Comm. No. 14%.
Ref.To: P I WAIVAI
Ref. Date FEB 3 2071
W E R OF PARTNERSHIP
PHONE....> 808.528.5557 ALAKEA STREET i4THFLOORD T'.PIER, p a W ANFACES0!JXJ OM/
HONOLULU fEll 13 �' i:PRPHAWAll PAC`:HC?ESOURCEPA'TNER%HiP
(Continued From Page 1)
Given the above, we are concerned that Mr. Lin may have a financial and personal interest in HPM;which
could improperly influence his decisions as a commissioner on the WPC. Decisions m'ade.7att:he WPC
should benefit the larger community, not a single employer and their employees.
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