HomeMy WebLinkAboutKim, Paul
Tsuneda, Kaci
From:Elua Honu <eluahonu@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, November 5, 2026 10:16 AM
To:Council Testimony
Subject:Bill 147
Aloha Chair and Members of the Council,
My name is Paul Kim. I am a Kailua-Kona resident and the owner and operator of Thai Rin Restaurant &
Bar on Ali ʻ i Drive. I respectfully ask the Council to ensure that Bill 147 protects residents who live in their
homes on agricultural land and responsibly rent unused bedrooms to support their families.
I am not an out-of-state homeowner. This is my primary residence, and I live in the house while hosting
guests in the remaining vacant rooms. I am present to oversee the property, assist guests, and ensure
they respect our home and neighborhood.
This rental income is an essential part of our household income. Without steady rental income, my
family would not be able to afford to continue living in our home.
I take my responsibilities as a host seriously. I manage the rental responsibly, and pay and keep all my
taxes up to date. I support reasonable rules that protect neighbors and hold operators accountable. I ask
that those rules also recognize residents who depend on sharing their own homes to make ends meet.
My family’s livelihood is also tied to Thai Rin, which has served Kona since 1991 and is one of the longest
continuously operating restaurants on Ali ʻ i Drive. High commercial rents and the significant loss of
business caused by paid parking have made it increasingly difficult to stay open, at times leaving us
unable to pay ourselves. Our rental income helps sustain our household as we work to keep the
restaurant operating and support more than 12 employees and their families. Restrictions on rentals
would compound these financial pressures and could reduce visitor lodging options, hurting tourism and
the many local businesses like ours that increasingly depend on it.
Our agricultural property also directly supports the restaurant. We use a significant portion of the land to
grow our own produce that we use and serve at Thai Rin such as papaya, lemongrass, galangal, mint,
basil, green onions, tomatoes to name a few. Our home, food production, and restaurant are connected
parts of how we support ourselves and save ever increasing costs.
Please consider the consequences of restrictions that could eliminate or substantially reduce income
for resident hosts like us. For my family, losing this income would threaten our ability to remain in our
home and continue operating our restaurant, and will directly have a negative impact on our employees
and their families who depend on their employment.
I respectfully ask the Council to provide a clear, practical, and affordable pathway for responsible
resident hosts on agricultural land to continue operating, consistent with applicable state law. Please
recognize small-scale food production that supplies a local business, avoid unnecessarily burdensome
permitting requirements, and provide reasonable transition protections for existing operators.
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I understand the importance of protecting agricultural land, preserving housing, and maintaining
peaceful neighborhoods. I ask that the County pursue those goals while also protecting residents who
are using their homes and land responsibly to earn a living.
For my family, hosted rental income is essential to staying in our home and continuing to contribute to
Kona’s community and economy. Please ensure that Bill 147 protects families like ours.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Paul Kim
Kailua-Kona Resident
Owner and Operator, Thai Rin Restaurant & Bar
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