HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0676.017 2022-2024611 1212
From: Kelly Reyes
Sent: Monday, August 19, 2024 7:23 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Hoomaikai Blessings My bed and breakfast
Dear Mr/Ms,
My name is Kelly Reyes and I'm the owner of a bed and breakfast on the Hilo side in Keaqu
(HPP). My zone is for bed and breakfasts.
I took care of my mom and dad for the last 20 years of their life, in Encinitas, CA. before moving to
Hawaii.
In 2016 1 was struck by a SUV in a school crosswalk. Unable to work I stayed home and continued
to care for my dad when my Mom passed away. Then my dad passed away and with my husband
retiring we were looking for a new place to live outside my parents/families home. My husband
wanted to retire back at home in Hawaii as he's from Pearl City.
After my husband's retirement we used our life savings to buy our home. We work on improving it
all the time. Making min wage my whole life it seemed as if my dreams were to far away, and now
we live here. We love it, and want to share the space. We started our little business to share the
space and meet people from around the world.
The name of my place is: "Hoomaikai" which means blessings in Hawaiian. I decided to name it
how I felt. It's been a total blessing.
We are all about giving back. We try to help the homeless by giving second hand blankets and
tarps (it rains here a lot). Plus we give them pizza and bottles of water when we can. Other
charities we give to, Saint Jude, No Kids Go Hungry. Plus we call around to schools and see if any
child has a lunch debt and pay it for them.
I also spoke to someone in the foster care center here in Hilo two years ago. She wants me to
have a bedroom for foster kid/kids. I have looked into building another home for them it was very
costly. Found out my back structure can be permitted when I had my Jacuzzi permitted and
looking to expand on my 1 bedroom back house. But I hope to hire an ex young foster adult to
mentor and help me with my bed and breakfast. She can help me with little ones. I was planning
on fostering two kids hopefully I know how they hate to separate sibs or twins.
We are very affordable.. we want to keep it that way. Giving back to hard working people is very
important. I get island hoppers who need to get away from the big cities .
I truly love my new job and new life and I hope I will be allowed to continue.
Mahalo,
Kelly Reyes
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