HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0348.023 2020-2022 P/ 1
Comm Y16
From: beverly
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2021 11:34 AM
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To: Council Testimony
Subject: HONUAULA AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT REZONING
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The proposed Affordable Housing Project consisting of 112 units on Kealakehe Street on property zoned agriculture 1 is asking
to change the zoning to residential multifamily to appease the growing and ever urgent need for housing on the island. Altho
on paper it looks to be a project which will benefit people looking to find housing, it is targeted for people in a specific median
income level. The project is being spearheaded by a local man Carlo Mireles,whos is working with a mainland company.Are
there not companies here in Hawaii that would be able to fund such a project?
The real issue is making land available where there is water available. The county is in need of new water wells in many
areas,and some of the existing wells are over used and often in need of repair. The county needs to look at property that is
already zoned urban/residential and get the very needed infrastructure in place.The area off of Ane Keohokalole Highway,
has lots of land, but the biggest issues is water. If you drive by there,you will see that the roadways have been put in place for
growth, but without water,there will not be any.
Water is clearly the most precious commodity and increasingly adding housing to an already existing overcrowded
residential area,filled with multi family housing projects is not seemingly the best alternative. I don't have the answer. I have
lived and owned in the area for over 30 years and have seen the population increase astoundingly. The schools are over-filled,
or at best filled to the capacity they were designed. The roadways are always busy, but especially at peak times when school
starts and ends and when people are going to and from work. Traffic is a bit of a nightmare,along with the roadways being
filled by cars from the surrounding projects, an overflow of not enough parking for the tenants.
Most people in the area are not informed about the impending project,which when I have shared with them,they are
shocked to find is happening almost in their own back yard. I realize there is a need for the housing, but really can it please be
found a better location? The area is filled with affordable housing,and while this new proposed project is called affordable, is
it really?
At the cost of taking away agriculture zoning,and the opportunity it might bring to create a more sustainable Hawaii?
Our young people,families and friends know that the opportunity to live here after they have graduated from school,or
even college is increasingly out of reach because of affordability and job opportunity. I would love to see my children and
grandchildren living in their own homes. They all work, but availability of affordable housing options is scarce and over
priced. Many homes that are empty most of the year, belong to people from outside the state and are used for their family
vacations, or worse undocumented vacation rentals. They tie up the opportunity for housing our young people,either as
affordable rentals, or purchases.
Let's really take a real honest look at our Hawaii Island, and make decisions that will benefit our people who want to live and
work here. Lets make opportunities for our young people. Its not just about Aloha, but our Kuleana to make Hawaii a home
for Hawaii families.
I am against the rezoning of this agriculture land for this purpose.
Thank you for your time.
Beverly Behasa
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Comm. No—
Ref. o: hW
Ref. Fate SEP - 8 2021
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