HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.351 2022-2024From:
heyhew
Sent:
Saturday, July 6, 2024 2:36 PM
r
C=
To:
Council Testimony
Subject:
URGENT! OPPOSE BILLS 121, 122, 123!
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Proposed bilts
121,122 and 123 MUST BE STOPPED!
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The following bills are expected to be voted on Monday, July 8. These must be stopped dead
in their tracks. Even if well-intentioned, which they clearly are NOT, they will harm working
families. Who do the people who proposed these bills believe will do all the work, when they
take even more away from the workers?
Bill 121 — Transient accommodations
Realizing that small farmers already have a hard time making ends meet, why would
anyone with good intentions think passing this bill could be Pono in any
way? WWOOFing is one way that farmers have been able to stay afloat while training a
new generation of farmers. Considering WWOOFers, who enter into an agreement with
farmers for lodging in exchange for training and assistance, as transients is foolish and
shortsighted, if not simply a vicious attempt to hold small farmers to a higher standard
than the corrupt corporate "farms" that rape the land and underpay workers. Small farmers
depend on the supplemental income that rentals bring in. Oppose it, please!
Bill 122 — Bed and Breakfasts
If the concern here is to provide affordable housing for locals, then the solution is
limiting, if not outright banning, people from buying all the properties that are
valued at less than $1M and leaving them empty. This is an increasing problem on the
island and is the real issue to be addressed. Any such property should be heavily taxed
until it is rented out long term at a rent -stabilized price, and attainable for the community
based upon median incomes, type of property, location etc. Repealing the permits for Bed
and Breakfasts simply foots the bill to people trying to live a decent life and be part of their
communities. Instead, this insulting bill penalizes the working class for trying to keep their
heads above water and offer a viable solution to and issue ironically caused by a
government that insists on putting tourism at the center of its economy. You simply can't
have it both ways. Nobody comes to the Big Island to see the local population living in
squalor. One quarter of the local farm economy comes from Ag Tourism for workshops and
visitors for bed and breakfasts and retreats. If the goal is to increase affordable housing, this is not
the way to do it. Unless, of course, affordable housing is not the ultimate goal. Consider putting the
focus on the real problems and allow Hawaii residents to thrive, not starve. Remember your families
live here too!
Comm. n �,
Bill 123 — Ohana dwellings Ref. rn;NAM
1 Ref. nn9e V ���
What legitimate reason could there be behind changing the word Ohana to Accessory? Of
course, there is none. This is a loophole that will clearly be used to criminalize
homeowners with an Ohana. An accessory is someone who aided or contributed to the
commission or concealment of a crime. Ohana is a friendly word that means trust and
family closeness. Are families now considered criminal? This Orwellian bill must not
pass. Just stop it!
These bills are all criminal, and clearly biased toward emboldening
those who are the cause of all of Hawaii's systemic problems.
Legislators never seem to care about such things until it comes
after their own families, but it always does. Find your backbone now
and support the people, who make Hawaii a great state!
Adrienne Hew
Kamuela 96743
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