HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0595.022 2020-2022 OF ii; WA i
Kohabe'l . flu FES H 41- 102
February 2, 2022
Councilmember Ashley Kierkiewicz,Chair
Councilmember Rebecca Villegas,Vice Chair
Hawaii County Council Committee on Planning
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
RE: Support for Bill 112 and Bill 115-Waikoloa Land Company's Kumu Hou Project—Affordable Workforce Housing
Dear Chair Kierkiewicz,Chair Villegas and Members of the Hawaii County Council Committee on Planning,
The Kohala Coast Resort Association (KORA) is in full support of the affordable housing component of Waikoloa Land
Company's Kumu Hou project,addressed in Bill 112 and Bill 115.To the best of our knowledge, Kumu Hou will be the
first affordable workforce housing project located directly within a resort's footprint.
With more than 48%of our island residents living in households that the Aloha United Way identifies as Asset
Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE),there is a dire need for public and private partners to step up to
address our affordable housing challenge.
Though they have already fulfilled the affordable housing requirements for their development,Waikoloa Land
Company is proposing no less than an additional 140 affordable workforce rental housing units,to be constructed
during the first phase of the Kumu Hou project.
The KCRA has been a staunch supporter of affordable workforce housing projects throughout Hawaii Island.We serve
on Vibrant Hawaii's Housing Coalition,and have also supported the Planning Department's efforts to amend zoning
and building codes to find creative solutions to address our affordable housing needs.
KCRA members employ 5,000 people,supporting 20,000 Hawaii Island residents at their hotels,timeshares,
restaurants,retail outlets,golf courses and spas.Additionally,in 2022,KCRA members will pay an estimated$60
million in state and county TAT,and$40 million in state and county GET. Further, KCRA members,and the residents
within our resorts,pay$73 million in property taxes to Hawaii County,one fourth of total collections.And finally,
between 2018 and 2021,KCRA members invested more than$450 million in infrastructure and property upgrades,
supporting Hawaii Island's construction industry.
We hope this Kumu Hou project will keep our construction industry running strong for years to come,as we address
our island's affordable housing needs. Mahalo for your consideration of this important project.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Donoho
Administrative Director,Kohala Coast Resort Association e
PO Bax 6991,Kamuela,H1 96743*(306)747®5762*kohalacoastresortassn@gmail.com*ww .koha VJ4iM
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