HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0750.020 2020-2022 P/Cjoutnc(
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Kohala Gofl-st
97S, P'r ASSOCIATION
June 14, 2022
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Maile Medeiros David, Chair
Aaron Chung,Vice Chair
Hawaii County Council
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, HI 96720
RE:Support for Bill 160–funding for Office of Housing and Community Development's affordable housing programs
Dear Chair David,Vice Chair Chung and Members of the Hawaii County Council,
The Kohala Coast Resort Association (KCRA) is in support of Bill 160, providing annual funding of$5 million to the
Office of Housing and Community Development to expand affordable housing for our island.
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.We also look forward to the
Hawaii County Council and Planning Department further refining Hawaii County's Short Term Vacation Rental law,as
we believe that will return current housing inventory to our rental,and homeowners' classes.
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 in 2020 KCRA members,and the
residents within our resorts, paid more than$73 million in property taxes to Hawaii County, one fourth of total
collections.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Donoho
Administrative Director, Kohala Coast Resort Association
PO Box 6991,Ka vela,HI 96743*(608)747-5767*kohalacoastresortassn rnall.corr�*ww .koS SOMA?
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lief. Date--JUN—LL-2M