HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0236.021 2024-2026 P/PCPWEP
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From: Jeni Herberger
Sent: Monday, May 5; 2025 7:03 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: OPPOSITION TO BILL 47, Draft 1
Importance: High
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ASHLEY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR and '
MICHELLE M.GALIMBA,VICE CHAIR, . �_c
HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL, POLICY COMMITTEE ON
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PLANNING, LAND USE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT _
MEETING DATE: Tuesday, May 6,2025
TIME: 2:30 pm
PLACE: Kailua Kona
RE: OPPOSITION TO BILL 47, Draft 7
Dear Chair Kierkiewicz,Vice Chair Galimba,and Council Committee Members:
I am a local farmer on 8 acres of agricultural zoned land in south Kona producing Sharwil avocados certified for
export to the mainland.Additionally, I produce herbs and produce sold locally. In total, I bring in less than$15,000
annually and my costs for maintaining our farm take most, if not all of those monies. I have been operating a STVR
for over 5 years and it is my only significant source of income. I am a resident of Hawaii and live on the property
and pay TAT taxes and GET taxes exceeding$20,000 per year. I host over 30 visiting families a year,who spend
hundreds of thousands of dollars with local businesses and pay significant local,state,and transient taxes.
While I appreciate the effort made by the drafters to engage with the community, I have grave concerns about Bill
47,which is being presented as a "registration only" bill.The timing of this bill,introduced only a couple of months
before the anticipated results of the economic impact study, raises questions. Given how significantly the
previous bill(121)would have impacted existing operators,it seems unreasonable to require these operators to
publicly register for the convenience of enforcingyet-to-be-determined rules,especially without any data to justify
the need for such regulations.This approach is troubling.
As stated by MS. KIERKIEWICZ, Hawaii county is unique in the breadth of agricultural emphasis.We are being
asked to promote local produce on every level and increase production,it will be impossible to do so without the
supplemental income generated from offering visitors unique lodging and farm-to-table opportunities.
1 Comm. N..
Ref. To: ►TI U A►, �I,
Ref. Dave MA —6 2025
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I We are facing significant challenges: historic inflation,a significant decline in tourism impacting our local
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1 economy, and a national political climate that has already reduced our federal funding and is likely to increase gas
and supply costs shortly. I urge the council to take a fiscally responsible and equitable approach by
postponing further work on this bill until the economic impact study can be reviewed.Since the survey results
are expected by mid-year,delaying this decision seems reasonable and appropriate, especially when using public
funds and making reasonable faith efforts.
Only after analyzing the survey results can we determine whether this is the right time to burden our residents
further as they struggle to make ends meet.Weighing the known effects against the desired outcomes is
essential to ensure that we pass legislation that minimizes unintended consequences.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeni Herberger
Owner I Pu'u Mahana Plantation I 425-576-1408
www,puumahanaplantat:ion.com
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