HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0032.001 2006-2008 _ _ _ _ _
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STACY K. RIGA c~ ~ Mailing Address:
lit (Former C'ounry Building/
Council Member 25 Aupuni Street
District 9 Milo, //awai'i 96720
Business Address:
PHONE: (808) 961-8396 333 Kilauea Avenue, 2id F7oor
FAX: (808) 961-8912 Ben Franklin Building
EMAIL: shiga(aco.hawaii.hi.us Hilo, yawai'i 96720
HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
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January 2, 2007 ~ ~ ~
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TO: Chairman Pilago and Committee Members -ti
Committee of Planning ~
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FROM: Stacy K. Higa, Council Member ~r l
Hawaii County Council
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 21-07: Resolution Proposing an Amendment to Chapter 25,
Zoning Code, Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as Amended),
Relating to Retail Establishments
I have been working and researching this proposed ordinance for the past four to five months.
This has been a very difficult matter in balancing the needs of our community. On one side, you
have the consumer looking for the best pricing and deals possible; and you have the local
business community on the other side, facing a small mazket, shipping challenges, volume
pricing and long standing employee benefits. In deliberating this bill, please ask yourselves what
does a superstore bring to our community? We are struggling with growth issues and
infrastructure issues, yet local retailers are driven out of the market. These superstores typically
raise their prices anywhere from 10% to70%, impacting the consumers and giving them little
choice as there aze no longer competitors in the market. These superstores purchase local
products on a very small scale, impacting local fazmers, ranchers, wholesalers and businesses,
choosing to mass purchase and supply from their mainland warehouses.
I present this proposed ordinance in an effort to educate ourselves on the impacts of what could
possibly alter the economic landscape of our island. I am not opposed to competition. I would
like to keep the playing field as level as possible so that our consumers can have the best
opportunity to choose for themselves where they would like to shop. I brought forward a
specific square footage requirement and a specific SKU requirement, and I believe that this will
still allow large retailers to enter our market and compete locally.
I apologize that family matters do not allow me the opportunity to be present for this discussion.
I will definitely be back for the reading at Council, and I hope that you can support passing this
resolution.
SKH/de
Serving the lnteresls of the People of Our island
Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. COfl107. NO.
Ref. To: Pree~stal
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