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_ Removing barriers to Hawaii s prosperity
Nov. 19, 2025, 11 a.m.
Hawai'i County Council Chambers in Hilo
To: Hawai'i County Council
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Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair
Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, Vice Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
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Jonathan Helton, Policy Analyst,
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RE: Bill 63 (2025) — RELATING TO DWELLINGS
Aloha Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi and other members of the Council,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports Bill 63, Draft 2 (20251, which would make single-family,
double -family and multifamily dwellings by -right permitted uses in the county's industrial -commercial
mixed -use zoning districts and expand housing options.
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.
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 Hawai'i County's zoning code with the state's Act 37 (2024). which authorized
residential uses in all commercial zones statewide.
' Rene Kamita, "Hawai'i Housing Demand: 2025-2035," Research and Economic Analysis Division, Hawaii Department of Business,
Economic Development and Tourism, March 2024, p. 11.
1050 Bishop St. #508 I Honolulu, HI 96813 1 808-864-1776 1 info@grassrootinstitute.org
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Ref. Date NOT 19 2025
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."'
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Jonathan Helton
Policy Analyst
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
1 Jonathan Helton, "How to facilitate more homebuildine in Hawaii." Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, December 2023, p. 16.
1050 Bishop St. #508 1 Honolulu, HI 96813 1 808-864-1776 1 info@gmssrootinstitute.org