HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.195 2022-2024/PMUO
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From: Rachelle Onaka r;
r Cl
Sent: Tuesday, July 2, 2024 11:53 PM -,•- s ^
To: Villegas, Rebecca; Villegas, Rebecca; Council Testimony__ =.:.
Subject: OPPOSED TO BILL 121, VOTE NO
We have been following Bill 121 since first introduced and we are strongly OPPOSE, $ill
121 will have a negative impact on so many local families with the trickle dowQ**,;affecfi'ng
local businesses, restaurants, travel, landscapers, cleaners, etc. Visitor numbis are -
already down which impacts the jobs of everyone in our community. Visitors are being
taxed to death for coming here and are choosing other destinations. Hotels are way too
expensive (suited for resort visitors, these corporations take their profits out of our
state) and do not accommodate the needs of STVR travelers (visitors who spend time
and money in the community). An impact study will CONFIRM that Bill 121 will have a
NEGATIVE impact on Hawaii County, it will NOT make housing more affordable, it will
not greatly increase supply of rental housing, it will drastically and negatively impact
local business income and tax revenues.
The burden of affordable/workforce housing initiatives should not be put on private
homeowners.
Hawaii County Council can pursue other measures to make housing more affordable:
Lower property Taxes significantly (increased taxes, insurance and mortgage costs are
passed on to tenants making rents even higher)
Streamline/simplify permitting, EPIC system is a failure
Reduce building regulations which have made the cost of construction unaffordable
Allow more density for housing
Lower cost of insurance, especially cost of the mandatory hurricane insurance
Cut taxes across the board, our same dollar is being taxed over and over again, families
are struggling right now, every family has had to live on less since COVID, government
should be cutting their budgets not approving increases
Work with the State to acquire State lands for housing for local families. a quick google
search says the State owns almost 1 million acres on Hawaii Island, surely some of that
land is ideal for affordable/workforce housing
Stop overregulating business, every Bill you pass places more burden on businesses
and people's livelihoods. It kills incentive to work, invest, open new businesses... it is so
tough to make it here. The harder you work and the more you make, the more
government takes, it's not right and it kills incentive to work hard.
Bill 121 infringes on private owners to make a living. We are strongly opposed to Bill
121, Vote No!
Thank you, Rachelle Onaka
Coinna. No. 19• N L
Ref. To; PROWD
Ref. Date JUL