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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0595.101 2020-2022 1 till 112 60RK Testimony of I Pacific Resource Partnership i County Council CDj County of Hawaii Committee On Planning Chair Ashley L. Kierkiewicz Vice Chair Rebecca Villegas r Bills 112 and 115—Applicant: Waikoloa Land Company U Tuesday, March 8, 2022 } - 10:30 A.M. Aloha Chair Kierkiewicz,Vice Chair Villegas and Committee Members: Pacific Resource Partnership (PRP) is a non-profit market recovery trust fund which represents approximately 7,000 men and women union carpenters and 240 large and small contractors. With our expertise in research, compliance, marketing, and project advocacy, we are committed to building a stronger, more sustainable Hawaii in a way that promotes a vibrant economy, creates jobs, and enhances the quality of life for all residents of Hawaii. PRP strongly supports Bills 112 and 115 relating to the change of zone for Kumu Hou at Waikoloa. Commitment to Environment Waikoloa Land Company understands the value of water to the Waikoloa community.They are proactively finding ways to thoughtfully designed a plan to manage their overall use of water for this project.They are committed to working with stakeholders and communities to find the best solutions moving forward. Commitment to Community Waikoloa Land Company is deeply invested in the community and stewarding and preserving the area for generations to come.As such,they have ensured a portion of each timeshare sale from Kumu Hou will be set aside to fund up to$50 million in endowment for The Waikoloa Foundation.This endowment through Kumu Hou is a lasting promise to the community. It will ensure The Waikoloa Foundation's efforts toward education, environmental stewardship and culture can continue for the long-term, allowing The Foundation to expand its impact for the people of Hawaii Island long beyond the work of the Waikoloa Land Company. Additionally,the Waikoloa Land Company has already fulfilled its affordable housing requirements, and through Kumu Hou they are proposing to build an additional 140 affordable workforce housing apartments for kama'aina.Statewide,the lack of affordable housing for local families is a pressing concern, and on the Kohala Coast,that challenge persists. Hawaii Island residents depend on the jobs they can find in Waikoloa, but they often struggle to find a place to live near where they work. So many of them face harsh commutes— often between one to two hours each way—that take a significant toll on their wellbeing and quality of life. • ' t ' Comm. No, _ efm T o• P Ref. Dote MAR 8 2022 PHONE 308-528.5557 11� �I_AKer s FET F Cl, >,tF T R ,.OMI/ F3 FFHF,I'V4F - ( (:,=F--5C SRC F�ulRl iv?P�Fit� } 3 i 3 3 I I i I (Continued From Page 1) Kumu Hou will help to improve the quality of life for Hawaii Island residents by providing housing opportunities near their place of work. Commitment to Culture The Waikoloa Foundation is committed to educating not just owners at Kumu Hou, but the entire resort community about the critical importance of respecting Hawaiian culture, responsibly interacting with our `aina and mindfully engaging with the broader community. Supporting Kumu Hou is an investment in the entire Hawaii Island community. As such, we respectfully request your favorable decision on this project. Thank you for this opportunity to submit written testimony.