HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0595.119 2020-2022 lc o.
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March 21, 2022
Honorable Maile David Hawaii County Council Chair __4
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Honorable, Aaron Chung, Hawaii County Council, Vice Chair
Honorable Members of the Hawaii County Council
RE: Bill 112 & Bill 115co
Chair David:
My name is Wayne Perrin Jr., and I am the Big Island Representative for Hawaii Operating
Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund (HOEISF). We are a labor management fund representing
3000 unionized members in heavy engineering site work and 500 general contractors
specializing in heavy site and vertical construction. HOEISF supports the passing of Bill 112 and
Bill 115 with amendments.
Both rental and fee simple affordable housing is a major issue in the State of Hawaii. Even on
the Big Island, which has the lowest cost of living in the state, housing is in short supply, and
demand and inflation continue to increase the cost of housing across the state, while wages
remain the same. The 2020 Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) Report,
states the following:
The cost of living for ALICE is growing on the islands, largely driven by the cost of
housing. In Hawaii,_ rising housing costs are a result of population growth due to
migration, an increasing demand for low-cost rental units(especially among millennials
and seniors), and an increase in the number of residential rental units being used as
vacation rental properties (which grew 35 percent between 2016 and 2018). This trend will
continue as affordable housing becomes harder to find.
High housing costs...push workers farther from their jobs and increase commute times,
which has a negative impact on health,job retention, productivity.
We believe that the Kumu Hou Project is key in helping to stem these alarming housing trends.
The creation of no less that 140 affordable rental housing units for island residents will provide
the opportunity for workers to live, work, and play where they live. This will help workers avoid
long commutes from one side of the island to the other. Besides the economic stimulus and
OMM. .
Refry To:
Ref. Date
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Honorable, Maile David, Hawaii County Council, Chair
Honorable, Aaron Chung, Hawaii County Council, Vice Chair
Honorable Members of the Hawaii County Council
March 21, 2022
Page 2
jobs this project will bring, along with three new acres of public use parks, and trails, HOEISF
would like to commend the Waikoloa Land Company for setting aside a portion of each
timeshare sale to fund up to $50 million endowment for the Waikoloa Foundation for
stewardship efforts.
We respectfully ask that the Hawaii County Council pass Bill 112 & Bill 115 with amendments.
Sincerely,
Wayne Perrin Jr.
Hawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund