HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.636 2022-2024 pi PcPLUO
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GOMM.675
HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
POLICY COMMITTEE ON PLANNING,LAND USE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Councilmember Ashley Kierkiewicz,Chair,Dr. Holeka Inaba,Vice Chair
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MEETING DATE/TIME/LOCATION:Friday,November 8,2024,9:00am, Hilo 7r<
RE:IN OPPOSITION TO CURRENT FORM of BILL NO. 121-24(Draft 4) —;-7
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Dear Chair Kietkiewicz,Vice Chair Inaba,and Council Committee Members:
Thank you for the opportunity to testify via this written letter. My name is Ed Marsh. I own a short-term rental
property with a NUC in Kealakekua, HI. I am writing this letter voicing opposition to Draft 4,Bill No. 121-24.
A few thoughts I wanted to share. With my property in Kealakekua,I attract a unique variety of individuals&
groups to the island,to include:
• Families waiting to have their house built. They need a home while they are waiting.
• Workers that need to stay in the area south of Kona.
• Vacationers that want to experience the areas south of Kona.
I pay a local landscaper(Rodney Amor)&cleaners who rely on my property for income. I have a handyman,
Brian Hazzard,who lives on my street(Halekii St)who relies on work at my home to provide for his family. I
have a plumber who lives down the road as well.
Businesses in and around Kealakekua such as Kona Boys-South,Caffe Florian,Ace Hardware—Captain
Cook,KTA Kealakekua,all of the area Coffee Plantations,Gypsea Gelato—Kealakekua,and many
restaurants;they all rely on visitors from my property because of where we are. We are south of Kona so we
serve a different population of the Big Island which is very needed.
I consistently utilize multiple contractors to restore and maintain my property,including Golden Touch
Handyman&Gomes Flooring&Tile(2 examples). The surrounding area truly benefits from STVR properties.
Knutson and Associates(Blake Kessner—Owner)provides many resources to help support managing homes
across the island,including my home. Knutson ensures there are quality jobs&positions available for people
to thrive on the Island.
The impact of implementing the draft&proposed amendments in Bill No. 121-24 would be horrible for the me
as a STVR owner,yet more importantly,for the Big Island,this could be devastating to small businesses,
contractors,workers,hurt employment,hurt tourism,and significantly reduce the amount of revenue coming
to the Big Island. This measure will have significant negative consequences for my local community as well.
Respectfully,I am asking the council to table this bill and retook at the intent&content of this bill. Further,I
am requesting that the bill be paused until an Economic Impact Study can be done to review the potential
negative effects of the measures drafted and/or proposed to this great Island.
Mahalo for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Ed Marsh
714-421-8062
Ed.w.marshCcbgmail.com b►n SI �A
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