HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0595.063 2020-2022 a
From: Jessica Rodrigues
Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2022 11:08 PM Y
To: Chung, Aaron; Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kimball, Heather, Inaba, Holeka; David, Maile; Kafi4ii-
Kleinfelder, Matt;Villegas, Rebecca; Lee Loy, Sue; Richards, Tim; Council Test-Aon _`"
Subject: STRONG OPPOSITION to Bill 112 and Bill 115
Aloha Planning Committee Members,
Please accept this testimony in STRONG OPPOSITION to Bill 112 and Bill 115. The Kumu
Hou project at Waikaloa is seeking to rezone nearly 180 acres of land in the Waikoloa Resort area to
allow for the development of 900 additional time share units. While the developers state they have
secured water rights and plans for waste water treatment, the development of these additional units will
surely contribute to the problem of overused and undermaintained infrastructure in Hawaii County.
Moreover, here in Hawaii County and across the state, we continue to see developments be
approved based on the promise of affordable housing and potential job creation. In the case of Kumu
Hou, while the master project's affordable housing requirement was supposedly met over 40 years ago
via a land donation, we continue to find ourselves in a housing crisis where local families are in need of
truly affordable housing with an option to purchase.
Ultimately, Kumu Hou must be held to the highest standard to justify why this re-zoning should
be approved, other than the jobs it might create and the addition of only 140 "affordable" units that
are rent-only. According to the South Kohala CDP General Policy future developments should:
• Provide affordable and workforce housing resources for low and moderate-income individuals,
families, and for those residents of South Kohala with special needs.
• Respect the culture, character, beauty, and history of our State's island communities
• Strike a balance between economic, social and community, and environmental priorities
• Meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs.
Unfortunately, in the case of Kumu Hou, the project focuses on growth in tourism and the economic gain
of developers, all at the continued expense of our local community and the infrastructure we rely on.
Please consider our current needs as well as the needs of future generations and do what is right, VOTE
"NO" ON BILL 112 AND BILL 115.
Mahalo,
Jessica Rodrigues
It OL
Ref. Dame FEB M
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