HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0236.004 2024-2026 p/PCPLuED
bill ill
COMN.2
From: Kris Adair
Sent: Saturday, May 3, 2025 1:46 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Protect Our Community- Improperly permitted improvements shouldn't be a
financial death sentence.
Ashley Kierkiewicz, Chairwoman
Michelle Galimba,Vice Chair c'
Hawai`i County Council
County Council Chambers ;� -<
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720r
Aloha Chairwoman Kierkiewicz and Vice Chair Galimba, No --
I'm writing to ask you to vote no on Bill 47.
This bill would punish thousands of local families for problems caused by the County's historically
problematic planning and permitting process. It requires property owners to report any unpermitted
improvements on their property, and then says that their registration will be taken away if any
unpermitted work is found.
But here's the truth:four out of ten properties on the Big Island have significant unpermitted
improvements.That's not because people are trying to cheat the system. It's because the Planning
Department has had problems for years—corruption, staff shortages, low pay and poor leadership. It
takes nearly two years to get an as-built permit right now.This bill only gives families 90 days.
The County's own estimates state that 2,800 families will be affected.That's 2,800 families who could
lose their main source of income—through no fault of their own.This isn't right, and it's not fair.
Even if all 2,800 of these families had the means to apply for proper permits,the Planning Department
and Department of Public Works do not have the manpower to process them. 2,800 applications would
add years to the County's permitting backlog.
Until the Planning and Permitting process are fixed, or this bill provides protections for homeowners who
reveal unpermitted improvements,this bill needs to be shelved.
Please vote no on Bill 47. Don't punish local families for the County's own failures.
Mahalo,
Kris Adair Comm.
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