HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0595.087 2020-2022 P/PC,
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From: Douglas Lilly
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2022 1:56 PM j 6
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Support testimony for Kumu Hou planning committee on Feb 22.
Aloha Members of the Hawaii County Council:
My name is Napahu Lilly and I'm here to offer supportive testify about the workforce housing solution as part of
Kumu Hou. I work as a security patrol officer at Mauna Lani and my partner works as an aesthetician at Mauna Lani
spa.
I have been looking for housing that works for my income level. I am feeling very discouraged because I make a
good salary and commit a lot of overtime hours to earn more so that I can secure housing for myself. I should be
able to afford something on this side of the island, but all the rentals are occupied and when rentals do become
available, they are not affordable, in fact, it's way too high.
With gas prices so high, I avoid driving home to Hilo and have been sleeping in my truck during my work week since
early last year. On nights when it is rainy, I try to stay with friends in Waimea and Waikoloa, but there have been
times that I've had to figure out how to stay dry in bad weather. I have many work friends who do the same.
Our hotel knows our situation and kindly provides a facility for us to shower and get ready for our shifts. Their
cafeteria also provides meals and beverages for the workforce. They have known for a long time that workers resort
to sleeping in the parking lot because of this housing crisis.
We need solutions like the affordable housing rentals of this development project for people like me. I know others in
my community are saying no to this project, but maybe they have homes near where they work. Maybe they have
more family wealth and support to live under their protection at night.
I am speaking for those who drive from east side to the west side for work. The ones who don't have the affluence
to make it here from the start. The ones who cannot rely upon their parents to save enough to get through this
beginning part of their careers.
I am saving money while I'm sacrificing comfort and sleeping in the parking lot and I have a lot to be proud of by
doing that. I am building inner strength and character and finding solutions that work. I am doing my part and taking
care of our visitors.
I believe we need to keep our visitors in resort areas and not in our neighborhoods. I also know that we need more
solutions like what this project is proposing to get us out of the critical housing situation we are in. I love my island
and I enjoy my life and want to remain in Hawai'i within a community close to work. And yet, the housing market is
such a problem for me. We need solutions like Kumu Hou is proposing.
Mahalo for your time,
Napah Lilly
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