HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0074.017 2024-2026E
January 15th, 2025
Council Member Kagiwada
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1402
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Subject: Support for Hualalai Court Workforce Housing Project
Aloha Council Member Kagiwada,
I am writing in support of the Hualalai Court Affordable Workforce Housing application to build
104 affordable apartments in your district.
Aloha, my name is Larissa Kobayashi, and I am currently a senior at Pacific University,
pursuing an undergraduate degree in sociology. I plan to continue my education in Pacific
University's dental hygiene program next academic year. As I prepare to return to Hawai'i within
the next three years and potentially purchase a home after a few years of being home, I am a
strong supporter of the "Housing Hawai'i Future Generations" initiative. It has always been my
goal to return home after college and give back to the community that has continually supported
me.
I have a deep love for my home island, where the ability to take a short drive to the beach
is something I will always cherish. I dream of sharing this experience with my future children.
Living on the mainland for the past four years has made me realize how fortunate I am to call the
Hawaiian Islands my home. While life on the mainland has its advantages, it is not where I want
to raise my family. I want my children to grow up immersed in the culture and traditions that
shaped my own upbringing.
This movement is crucial to ensuring that Hawai'i residents are not priced out of the
place they call home, allowing families to continue living in the communities they love.
Although I am not from the Big Island, I wholeheartedly support this initiative and hope to see it
implemented across all the islands. By advocating for this movement, I seek to support not only
my generation but also those who are currently navigating the challenges of securing housing, as
well as future generations hoping to establish their roots in Hawai'i.
Sincerely,
Larissa Kobayashi