HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0690.009 2004-2006 FRANCIS L. JUNG
75-170 Hualalai Road, Suite D-2I4~
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 ~ ~ r
May 1, 2006
VIA Email and U.S. Mail
STACY HIGA, Chairman
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Change of Zone Application - REZ OS-021- A-Sa to RM-2.5
Deaz Chairman Higa:
This letter is written in my individual capacity in support of Change of Zoning
Application REZ.OS-021 submitted by Lava Kuakini, I,LC with respect to TMK: (3) 7-5-17'. pors.
2 & 3 from Agricultural Sato Multiple Family.Residential 2.5. This project contemplates the
development of a 212 u[rit housing project, 50% of which will be composed of affordable housing.
At present, the Hawaii County Department of Water Supply has allocated only 50 water units for
the project but has stated its intent to supply the remainder needed. I understand that some
members of the Hawaii County Council have reservations approving this Application based upon
concerns over water and traffic.
My support for this Application is substantially based upon my efforts for the past
three yeazs to bring 1,000 to 2,000 units of affordable housing to Kona. At present, the inventory
of affordable housing in West Hawaii is at, or near, zero. As the Hawaii Island Director of the
Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii ("HCDCH"), I and my fellow
Boazd members have endeavored to both renovate existing government housing in West Hawaii
and to create new and affordable housing for West Hawaii's working families. To that end, the
State of Hawaii has made available 272 acres of land in Kealakehe for this purpose. An even
lazger tract of adjacent land has been made available for development of affordable housing by the
Department of Hawaiian Homelands ("DHHL"). In order for either of these projects to move
forward, however, water is a critical necessity. In its efforts to meet this urgent need, this County
Council has approved bonding in the amount of $25,000,000.00 for the purpose of bringing water
to the North Kona District. Another $12,000,000.00 has been requested by Governor Lingle to
provide the additional amount required to complete this much needed North Kona Water Project.
As you are probably aware, however, despite a $600,000,000 state surplus, the House Finance
Committee chaired by Representative Dwight Takamine, District 1, Hilo, and the Senate Ways
and Means Committee, whose members include Russell Kokubun, District 2, Puna, Ka'u, failed
to approve the Governor's budget request and move this item to the full legislature For a vote.
Consequently, one of Governor Lingle's and HCDCH's primary efforts to provide affordable
housing for West Hawaii would appeaz to have been effectively halted for another year.
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Ref. Date 1
Stacy Higa, Chairman
Hawaii County Council
May 1, 2006
Page Two
In my opinion, this unfortunate course of events has turned the affordable housing
crisis into an emergency. The increased cost of gasoline has drained any extra funds working
families have had in the past -funds needed for basic necessities, such as food and utilities. The
addition of affordable housing in Kona will help to alleviate financial pressure on these working
families by providing them with places of residence closer to their places of employment. Such
housing would also help to reduce traffic between HOVE, Captain Cook and Kona. Based upon
these considerations, Isupport Lava Kuakini, LLC's Rezoning Application on the condition that
building permits be issued only when 50% of the buildings under construction are designated for
affordable housing. This will also insure that such affordable housing will be integrated with
housing of market value and will not be viewed as a separate community.
With respect to the traffic issues raised by some members of the Council, these
concerns are certainly understandable and legitimate. Although the State is presently in the
process of widening Queen Kaahumalu Highway from Keahole to Kona, more work will still be
needed to lessen the severe traffic burdens presently inflicted upon West Hawaii's drivers from
HOVE to Kona. This work will obviously take time and will not be solved in the short term.
Thus, while there is a critical need for affordable housing, any increase in affordable housing,
wherever located, will inevitably increase traffic pressure. Accordingly, the County Council is
caught on the horns of a dilemma -does it address the affordable housing issue first or does it
wait a few years for road construction to be completed before permitting affordable housing
development to proceed? In that regard, I urge the Council to vote for people first. In my
humble opinion, the need for affordable housing for our working people is far greater than the
need for better traffic flow. As a Kona resident, I would rather sit in traffic knowing that working
people have decent and affordable living accommodations than drive quickly through roads with
the knowledge that my traffic comfort was more important than the overall interests of the
working people of West Hawaii.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
CIS L. JiJNG