HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0203.039 2024-2026From: Steph Bath
Sent: Tuesday, October 7, 2025 1A2 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Bill 38 yes
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Aloha kakou,
Mahalo for consideration and passage of this Bill. Bill 38 makes sense.
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It's fair!
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I am testifying as a 44+year parcel owner and resident of upper Puna.
There are many who have been paying taxes on the parcels they call home in Puna for decades .(while
receiving little to no viable level of basic health and safety services.)
When my husband and I purchased our first parcel in 1981 we were young. We did not have the wisdom
and insights we have now.
It was assumed that when we pay taxes they go towards a collective good.
Upper Puna has seemingly been treated like a ghetto by government for manyyears. Many tax dollars
were used for Hilo infrastructure.
Admittedly Puna folks did their primary business in Hilo( out of necessity.)
At the same time riding the bus to work or doctor or shoppingwas near impossible. We did not have a
choice but to drive to "town"
Over the past decade Puna has become the new hot pickfor those striving to have their own home. Some
of these are "respectable" local folks who can'tfind a place on Hilo.
The Islands demographics is changing.
Old timers and new comers to Puna need medical care and access to ambulances and paratransit.
Residents need fire and police services. To deliver these levels of service we need passable roads.
When substandard private roads are impassable, we can not risk an emergency vehicle getting stuck or
damaged by transversing these roads.
This Bill will funnel some funds backto resident taxpayers.lt is not a solution. It is a start.
There is concern about the subdivision/s such as Hawaiian Acres.
This subdivision does not have mandatory road fees.
Instead the deed just states that parcel owners are responsible for road maintenance.
Unfortunately some do not think it's their responsibility to take this seriously.
In this subdivision there is no organization legally and Lawfully responsible for managing road funds.
The Road Corp is like any non profit. It's non mandatory to support their efforts. d
I like Bill38. Comm.
It give parcel owners incentive to donate. Ref. To•
Ref. Date ®CT - Q 9A�5
(Organizations who profess to maintain roadways must show a viable plan of action short,mid and long
range for management of roadways. That's a whole other topic.)
I support Bill38 and hope you do too!
Stephanie Bath