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Ko/thia Coast
RESORT ASSOCIATION ^�
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April 14,2023 w Cj.n
Heather Kimball,Chair
Hawaii CountyCouncil
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Hawaii County Building `21 t-;
25 Aupuni Street --
Hilo, HI 96740 ,
RE:Opposition to Veto Override of Bill 194
Dear Chair Kimball and Members of the Hawaii County Council,
The Kohala Coast Resort Association(KCRA)is opposed to overriding Mayor Mitch Roth's veto of Bill 194.We support Mayor Roth's
decision,and his justifications for the veto.
We believe Bill 194,if enacted,would add unnecessary time and expense to an already lengthy approval process.
In April 2022,the University of Hawaii's Economic Research Organization(UHERO) published a brief stating that Hawaii had some of
the most restrictive regulations in the nation,making it difficult to meet the state's demand for housing,especially affordable
workforce housing. Using the Wharton Residential Land Use Regulatory Index(Wharton Index), UHERO showed that Hawaii County
leads the nation with the most onerous regulatory environment.
The Hawaii County Council already has the authority to add any stipulations it requires to proposed development proposals as those
projects move through our regulatory process.There is no need to add an additional layer of bureaucracy.
The KCRA has been a staunch supporter of affordable workforce housing projects throughout Hawaii Island.We participate in the
Vibrant Hawaii's Housing Coalition and have supported the Planning Department's efforts to update zoning and building codes to
find creative solutions to address our affordable housing needs. We believe the changes requested in Bill 194 would further delay
the rollout of affordable housing projects across our island.
KCRA members employ 5,000 people,supporting 20,000 Hawaii Island residents at our hotels,timeshares,restaurants,retail outlets,
golf courses and spas. KCRA members,and the residents within our resorts, pay$134 million in property taxes to Hawaii County,
nearly one-third of total collections.Between 2016 and the present,KCRA members have invested more than$1.65 billion in
infrastructure and property upgrades at our resorts,supporting Hawaii Island's construction and building industry.
Our members invest heavily in our community,and we encourage you to move forward with legislation that streamlines
government processes, not lengthens them. Please vote no on a veto override for Bill 194.
Sincerely,
P07‘94,
Stephanie Donoho
Administrative Director, Kohala Coast Resort Association
PO Box 6991,Kamuela,HI 96743*(808)747-5762*kohalacoastresortassn@gmail.com*www.kohalacoastresorts.com a40Q
Comm. No.� 3(140/1 U
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