HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0601.021 2020-2022 PC,
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February 18, 2022
Ashley L. Kierkiewicz,Chair
Rebecca Villegas,Vice Chair
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Committee on Planning
Hawaii County Council
County of Hawaii
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Dear Chair Kierkiewicz,Vice Chair Villegas and members of the County Council, =
I would like to submit this written testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Island Housing Coalitio
support of Bill 115.
As proposed, Bill 115 AMENDS SECTION 25-8- 13( PUAKO-'ANAEHO`OMALU ZONE MAP),
ARTICLE 8,CHAPTER 25(ZONING)OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983( 2016 EDITION,AS AMENDED),
BY CHANGING THE DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION FROM OPEN (0), MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL—4,000
SQUARE FEET(RM-4), MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL-6,000 SQUARE FEET(RM-6), MULTIPLE-FAMILY
RESIDENTIAL— 8,000 SQUARE FEET(RM-8)AND VILLAGE COMMERCIAL— 10, 000 SQUARE FEET(CV-
10)TO PROJECT DISTRICT(PD)AT WAIKOLOA,SOUTH KOHALA, HAWAII, COVERED BY TAX MAP KEYS: 6-
9-008: POR.013,022,025, POR.029 AND 033.
This action would allow the Waikoloa Land Company to develop comprehensive residential and
commercial project in the South Kohala resort area.
As I shared in my previous testimony,the Hawaii Island Housing Coalition is a stakeholder
working group of the Vibrant Hawaii non-profit with a commitment and focus on addressing our island
community's housing crisis. Our membership is comprised of representatives of various non-profit
organizations, businesses,community members,and county government representatives. Since its
inception the Housing Coalition membership has been working collaboratively on identifying not only
the barriers and obstacles contributing to our housing shortage and crisis but on solutions and
opportunities to turn the tide on this mounting issue. Among our many strategies are endeavors to:
• Increase Home Production and Preservation
• Support Land Use Policy that Promotes Equity and Affordability
• Support the Development of Vacant Parcels Tied to Infrastructure
The Waikoloa Land Company Project or Kumu Hou Project will establish much needed workforce
housing for members of our community, many who face daily commutes to their respective employers
in the South Kohala area. One can only imagine the adverse impact to the quality of life and individual
health and well being having to commute up to four hours a day to and from work. The development of
workforce housing in proximity to some of the largest employers on the island will provide opportunities
to reduce those adverse impacts to individual and family wellbeing as well as the transportation burdens
associated with extensive commutes(i.e.fuel and other vehicle costs).
1 would also like to highlight that the Kumu Hou Project had received favorable review from the
Leeward Planning Commission and may be seen as a template or model for other potential workforce
housing opportunities. Should this project be supported and continue to move forward there may be
the potential to address other ancillary services essential to workforce housing to include but not limited
to childcare, health care, and education.
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In closing I would like to thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill
115 and strongly encourage your passage of this measure.
Sincerely,
Darryl Oliveira, Co-Chair
Hawaii Island Housing Coalition