HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0236.014 2024-2026 P/PGPLLIEO
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From: Mathew Dietrich
Sent: Saturday, May 3, 2025 2:22 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Strong Opposition to Bill 47c)
Mathew Dietrich --i Q
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28-1435 Old Mamalahoa Hwy .
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Pepeekeo, HI 96783
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330-590-0646
Mat@hamakuahouse.com
May 3,2025
Honorable Members of the Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, HI 96720
Subject:Strong Opposition to Bill 47
Dear Honorable Council Members,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to Bill 47 as currently proposed.As a resident and
homeowner in Hawaii County, I am deeply concerned about several aspects of this bill and its potential
negative impact on individuals and families in our community.
My most significant concern revolves around the proposed implementation and enforcement of fines.
The bill appears to allow for fines to be levied against homeowners before they have had a meaningful
opportunity to appeal the alleged violation and have that appeal fully heard and adjudicated.This
approach fundamentally undermines the principle of due process. Imposing penalties, particularly
potentially catastrophic fines, before an individual has exhausted their right to appeal places an unfair
and potentially devastating burden on homeowners. It creates a situation where residents could face
significant financial hardship or even the loss of their property based on an initial finding that might later
be overturned on appeal. Fines and other enforcement actions, such as property closure, should only be
implemented after the appeals process has been fully completed and a final determination as b--
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Furthermore,the potential for substantial fines and the power to impose closures raises concerns about
the need for strong oversight,transparency, and clear, objective standards to prevent arbitrary
enforcement. Given past experiences and concerns regarding administrative processes, it is crucial that
any new regulations include robust safeguards for homeowners.We must ensure that enforcement
mechanisms are fair, consistently applied, and prioritize corrective action and support over immediate,
potentially ruinous penalties.
This bill, in its current form, risks imposing unnecessary regulations, burdensome compliance
challenges, and disproportionately severe consequences on homeowners. It has the potential to
destabilize families and negatively impact our community without guaranteeing a commensurate public
benefit.
Protecting homeowners requires fair processes and reasonable regulations, not measures that allow for
punitive action before due process is complete. I urge you to carefully reconsider Bill 47 and, at a
minimum, amend it to ensure that no fines or closures can be implemented until all appeal rights have
been fully exhausted and adjudicated. Ideally, I would ask that you vote against this bill in its current
form and engage in further discussion to address these fundamental issues of fairness and due process.
Thank you for your time, consideration, and service to our community. I look forward to your response
and action on this important matter.
Sincerely,
Mathew Dietrich
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