HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0595.072 2020-2022 From: Terry
Seat: Monday, February 07, 2022 12:01 PM OFf,1,_VCLERYTr
To: Council Testimony t' 11 ?`vy � i�1 IC 'j
Subject: re:against this bill I vote NO RK'E1 'HL)
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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 fixture 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.
Thank you,
Terry Yamada Gillen
Co.m rn No
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