HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0595.077 2020-2022 pl p�
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February 17,2022
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Councilmember Ashley Kierkiewicz, Chair Co
Councilmember Rebecca Villegas,Vice Chair y
Hawaii County Council Committee on Planning
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street ;
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Hilo, HI 96720
RE: Support for Bill 112-Waikoloa Land Company's Kumu Hou Project—Affordable Workforce Rental Housing
Dear Chair Kierkiewicz,Vice Chair Villegas and Members of the Hawaii County Council Committee on Planning,
The Kohala Coast Resort Association (KCRA) is in full support of the affordable rental housing component of Waikoloa
Land Company's Kumu Hou project, addressed in Bill 112.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 481 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 R-4 •.y
PO Box 6691,Ka kohalacoastresortassn@gnla!I.com Nl 96743*(808}747-5762*kohalacoastrasortassn gail.com*www.kohal U .com "t t
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