HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0281.006 2020-2022 B01 �{
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June 14,2021
Ms.Susan L. K. Lee Loy,Chair
Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit
Hawaii County Council i
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
RE:Support for Bill 44—Hawaii County Building Code
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Dear Chair Lee Loy and Members of the Hawaii County Council Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit;
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Thank you and the Department of Public Works for your efforts to update the Hawaii County Building Code.As
members of the Vibrant Hawaii Housing Coalition,the Kohala Coast Resort Association (KCRA)supports Bill 44.
We would also like to respectfully request that the Hawaii County Council postpone any amendments to Appendix U,
regarding factory-built housing, until the State Building Code Council (SBCC) Investigative Committee concludes its
review of this concept.We appreciate the County of Hawaii exploring all options for affordable housing on our island,
and believe this request will allow the Council to move forward without inadvertently adopting amendments that
may be in conflict with the SBCC's recommendations.The Council will then have the opportunity to capitalize on the
findings of the SBCC,to create any amendments to address local challenges.
Affordable housing is one of our island's critical needs,and we appreciate your thorough consideration of all viable
options to meet the growing demand.
The Kohala Coast Resort Association is a collection of master-planned resorts,situated north of the Ellison Onizuka
Kona International Airport at Keahole,which represents approximately 3,500 hotel and timeshare accommodations,
an equal number of resort residential units,as well as shopping, entertainment,golf,spa and restaurants. KCRA
members employ more than 5,000 Hawaii Island residents, supporting 20,000 community members. Each year, KCRA
members pay more than $25 million in GET and $25 million in TAT to the State of Hawaii. KCRA members,and the
businesses and residents within the resorts, pay$73 million in property taxes to Hawaii County, nearly a quarter of all
property taxes collected. In addition, between 2018 and 2020, KCRA members invested more than$400,000,000 in
upgrades to their resorts,which supports Hawaii Island's construction industry.
Mahalo for the opportunity to comment on Bill 44.
Sincerely,
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Stephanie Donoho Comm. No.
Administrative Director Ref. T :
Kohala Coast Resort Association Ref. Date_ i 1,11N ���
PO Box 6991, Kamuela, HI 96743*46069 747-5762*kohalacoastresortassn@_qmaii.com*www.kohalacoastresorts.com