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i. ~ <br /> KOI'IA-KOIIALA 75-5737 Kuakini Hwy:, Suite 208 <br /> CIIAMBER KailWar~4o HI9G740,,,, <br /> 7 f] <br /> O f COMM@IKE Phone: 808-3~~7 ~ Fa~e8i08-~~~-85'94 { <br /> www.kona-kohala.com .info@kona-kohala.com <br /> May 17, 2005 <br /> <br /> Honorable K. Angel Pilago, Co-Chair <br /> <br /> Honorable Pete Hoffmann, Co-Chair <br /> <br /> Planning Committee <br /> <br /> Members of the HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL <br /> 25 Aupuni Street <br /> Hilo, HI 96720 <br /> Re: Bill Nos. 29 - 32 -Suffolk Investment, LLC and Puaa Development, LLC <br /> Dear Councilpersons Pilago and Hoffman: <br /> The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, which represents over 600 member <br /> businesses, is concerned with Kona's infrastructure deficit, particularly our roads. We <br /> are also equally concerned and alarmed over our housing crisis. Because of the sheer <br /> absence of meaningful affordable housing, we are facing and will continue to face, a <br /> labor shortage. If these issues are not addressed properly, and soon, not only will our <br /> quality of life diminish, but our economy will suffer. <br /> In that regard, it is heartening to find developers like Suffolk Investment, LLC and Puaa <br /> Development, LLC that are willing to step up to the proverbial "plate" and come forth <br /> with a plan that helps address these issues. While these developers' proposals will not be <br /> the answer for all of West Hawaii's infrastructure and affordable housing concerns, their <br /> projects will surely help. <br /> Beriveen these brio prejec±s, ±here will be a total of 350 housing units' 250 will be rental <br /> units for a minimum of 20 years and will target those individuals and/or families with <br /> less than 120% of the median income, with a minimum of twenty (20) percent being <br /> directed at the 80% or less than median income group. There has been no private <br /> developer today or in the recent past that has comp forth with such a program! <br /> Additionally, of the remaining 100 units, 20% will be affordable. There will be a total of <br /> 270 affordable units on this site located in the heart of Kona. <br /> On the issue of traffic, the developers of these projects will construct a new mauka-makai <br /> road between Kuakini Highway and Queen Kaahumanu Highway. They will also install <br /> traffic signals at this new road's intersection with the Queen Kaahumanu Highway, as <br /> well as make extensive improvements at the Kuakini Highway intersection. When <br /> completed, it will result in a new road linking mauka Kona at Hualalai Road to Kuakini <br /> Highway and possibly to Alii Drive. <br /> Comm. No. O b• <br /> Ref. To: ~'ese (r <br /> ~taf. L'ate~ 1 i 2~Q. <br /> <br />