HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0200.017 2006-2008 S~ Kanoelehua Industrial Area Assn., Inc.
820 Piilani Street, Suite 201
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone (808} 961-5422 Fax ($08) 935-9740
Apri13, ?007
Deaz Councilman Pete Hoffman:
The Kanoelehua Industrial Area Association (KIAA) is an organization of Big Island
businesses which represents neazly 400 Big Island Businesses which affect over 5,000
people.
We have reviewed the language of Ordinance No. 156 and firmly believe that this
ordinance will not help the affordable housing situation, furthermore, it will be a
determent to local businesses that employ the people you aze trying to help.
The affordable housing issue on this island is limited to pockets around the island and is
not prevalent everywhere. To allow local business no room for expansion, growth, or to
even update their facility, will surely be the end of ow economic base. The only jobs that
would be available would be as servants for atlluent people moving to the island that will
not be subject to this "Tax" or working for large "Big Box" Corporations. This is not a
legacy that we want to leave our children with.
The Planning Department already imposes requirements on developers to create
affordable housing. It seems that whenever there is a crisis, we levy more taxes on to our
business. They aze already paying more than their fair shaze.
What really hits home on this is that the Kanoelehua Industrial Area sits on State ]eased
land, these leases are set to expire within the next 6 years. The State is looking at re-
development of this area. Once this is done, all the tenants in the area will need to find a
new place to do business. This ordinance will adversely affect these businesses, many of
which aze already struggling.
We strongly urge you to oppose Ordnance 156.
Sincerely,
• ~
Allan Onislu
President, KIAA Comm. No.
Ref. Tq~ - _ CmA-
Ref. Uate _ APR 0 4 2001
':4UVANC/NG THE COMMERC/AL AND COMMUN/TY/NTERESTS' OF /TS MEMBERS"