HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0497.020 2022-2024 P/Counei[
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RESORT ASSOCIATION
December 1, 2023
Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Chair c �
Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba Vice-Chair r;i 'r
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Hawai'i County Council < -$
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Hilo,HI 96720
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Support for Resolution 287-23,Bill 96,and Bill 98 '"•
Dear Chair Kimball,Vice Chair Inaba and Members of the Hawaii County Council,
The Kohala Coast Resort Association(KCRA)is in full support of Resolution 287-23,requiring that all board and
commission meetings provide virtual access for public participation,live viewing,and post meeting viewing.
In order for many of the business leaders in our community to participate in these meetings,they have to take time
away from their operations.By providing virtual engagement during the meeting,the county would allow for greater
public participation.
The KCRA is also in full support of Bill 96,allowing for the distribution of$17,324,559.46 to seven organizations to
support the County of Hawaii's Affordable Housing Production Program. We appreciate the partnerships with affordable
housing developers and community organizations to collectively address our affordable housing crisis.We support the
funds being distibuted to Kamakoa Nui LP-Construction($2 million),Mental Health Kokua-Property Acquisition($5.5
million),Hale 0 Hawaii County-Volcano Construction($300,000),Hale.0 Hawaii County-Hilo Construction($300,000),
Ho`omalu at Waikoloa LP-Construction($3 million),OHCD-Infrastructure Development Kamakoa Nui($5.4 million),
and Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation-Construction Mohouli($824,559.46).
Finally,the KCRA is in full support of Bill 98, increasing revenues in the State Grants- Kua Bay account
($198,220) and West Hawai'i Ocean Safety account($245,194); and appropriating the same to the Kua Bay-
State Salaries and Wages account and the Hapuna Beach- State Salaries and Wages account, for total
appropriations of$778,220 (Kua Bay)and$1,264,297 (Hapuna Beach). Kua Bay and Hapuna Beach State Park
are popular with residents and visitors. Our safety and security teams, and ocean resources managers are
regularly called upon to help support visitors and residents in distress, and we appreciate the support of these
important ocean safety measures.
The Kohala Coast Resort Association is a collection of master-planned resorts, situated north of the Ellison Onizuka Kona
International Airport at Keahole,which represents approximately 3,500 hotel and timeshare accommodations,an equal
number of resort residential units, as well as shopping,entertainment, golf,spa and dining opportunities. KCRA members
employ more than 5,000 Hawaii Island residents, and we annually pay more than$25 million in TAT and$25 million in
GET to the State of Hawaii,and$11 million in property taxes to the County of Hawaii.
Sincerely,
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Stephanie Donoho Comm. P�N . ■M`�. 1®
Administrative Director,Kohala Coast Resort Association Ref.To: �I�Il� ildl
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PO Box 6991, Kamuela,HI 96743*(808)747-5762*kohalacoastresortassnagmail.com*www.kohalacoastresorts.com