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Oct. 7, 2025,9 a.m.
Hawaii County Council Chambers in Hilo
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To: Hawaii County Council Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Economic Development
Ashley Kierkiewicz; Chair
Michelle Galimba, Vice Chair
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From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Jonathan Helton, Policy Analyst
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RE: Bill 63 (2025) — RELATING TO DWELLINGS
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Aloha Chair Kierkiewicz, Vice Chair Galimba and other members of the Committee,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports Bill 63 (2025). which would make single-family, double -family and
multifamily dwellings by -right permitted uses in the county's industrial -commercial mixed -use zoning districts.
Under the bill, double -family and multifamily dwellings would be allowed at a maximum density of one unit
per 1,250 square feet of land area. Single-family dwellings would not face this same density restriction.
These are the same standards under which single-family, double -family and multifamily dwellings are allowed
in Hawai'i County's neighborhood commercial, village commercial and general commercial zoning districts.
Grassroot supports legalizing more mixed -use zoning because it would expand housing options.
According to estimates from the Hawaii Research and Economic Analysis Division, Hawaii County needs 6,665
new housing units built between 2025 and 2035 just to keep up with demand.' Authorizing more mixed -use
construction could help make a dent in this shortfall.
This measure would also align Hawaii County's zoning code with the state's Act 37 (2024) which made
residential uses a permitted use in all commercial zones statewide.
'Rene Kamita, "Hawai'i Housine Demand, 2025-2035" Research and Economic Analysis Division, Hawaii Department of Business,
Economic Development and Tourism, March 2024, p. 11.
1050 Bishop St. #508 1 Honolulu, HI 96813 1 808-864-1776 1 info@grassrootinstitu,
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Buildings that contain both housing and businesses also promote walkable neighborhoods and all the benefits
that come with them. As Grassroot pointed out in a 2023 policy brief: "Studies show that walkable
neighborhoods also yield positive health outcomes. People lose weight, cardiovascular disease declines, and
people report being happier."z
Finally, Grassroot suggests that the Council consult with building owners and homebuilders throughout the
island on whether the 1,250 square feet of land per dwelling limitation should be relaxed to make more
projects financially feasible.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Jonathan Helton
Policy Analyst
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Jonathan Helton, "How to facilitate more homebulldine in Hawaii." Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, December 2023, p.16.
1050 Bishop St. #508 1 Honolulu, HI 96813 1 808-864-1776 1 info@grassrootinstitute.org