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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0183.008 2006-2008June 1, 2007 Marie Aguilar P.O. Box 1874 Kailua Kona, Hawaii 96745 Mr. Pete Hoffmann, Chair County of Hawaii County Council Re: Bill 55, Draft 2, Kailua Village Business Improvement District No. 1 Aloha Chairman Hoffmann, I urge you to support the establishment of the Kailua Village Business Improvement District. The business and residential community of Kailua Village want desperately fior the passage ofi this bill. We have seen the ill effects of the deterioration of this historic village. We urge you today to help us regain our business district. We have an vested interest in our businesses as well as our community. We have made a commitment, now we ask the County of Hawaii to pass this bill and allow Kailua Village the chance to have security and maintenance it deserves. To be honest, most of the businesses are relying on the passage of this bill, we have struggled with the impact of traffic, and now most Kohala resort visitors refuse to travel to Kailua Village because of its lack of improvements. I have personally contacted members of this business district going door to door giving them Fact Sheets information provided by the County of Hawaii and Kailua Village BID. The Coconut Grove Marketplace, Alii Sunset Plaza, Waterfront Row, Kona Marketplace, Kona Inn Shopping Village, Damian Wong's Shopping Centers on Alii Drive, Sea Side MaN, Kona Square. Banyan Court and Hulihee Palace. I have spoken to most of the businesses in Kailua Village and everyone that 1 spoke with were supportive. They want very much to see Kailua Village improved. Destination Kona Coast and Kailua Village Merchants Association have worked together for Aloha Hawaiian Night a fundraiser to make improvements to the Kailua Pier for the past two years, and two years earlier Kailua Village Comm. No. ~ / ~ • `~ Ref. Toa-Pra oW'~Gr Ref. mate: "" " `""` Merchants Association held Aloha Hawaiian Night to provide beautification projects. The history of business owners working to make Kailua Village a more welcoming village has been a on going feat of work for two decades. It has somehow have fallen on deaf ears. Curtis Tyler, Kailua Kona Councilman made the last real improvements to the village in 1995 with a re-paving of Alii Drive. Angel Pllago financed three street lights for Alii drive in 2006. The Kuakini Highway project was mostly a federally funded highway project, however, I will congratulate those who made it possible. I have rolled up my sleeves to help this business community, I serve this community as President of the Kailua Village Merchants Association, a Board Director for Destination Kona Coast, and a Board of Director for Kailua Vrliage Business Improvement District. These positions are volunteer. I serve these business community associations for one reason, only to improve Kailua Village. When Eric Von Platen Luder contacted me to serve on KVBID, 1 was thrilled. This is our only hope to see Kailua Village make progress as a visitor destination and a welcoming place for its residents. I am a co-business owner of an art gallery and 1 have a first hand account of how sales have changed in Kailua Village. Each year yearly customers of our gallery are slowly returning, some only come every other year, some do not return at all. They have pleaded with us to make progress in Kailua Village, each year I tell them about the Kailua Village Improvement District. One of my customers just this spring said he-was panhandled three times in iwo days. He was disgusted with this practice. Later he confided in me that he was going to spend more time in Waikiki, which he did. The County Council has a responsibility to this business community, we do pay property taxes, and receive very little services. Emma Square's landscaping on Alii Drive and landscaping on Palani drive has died a slow and painful death. We can do better, and we will with the passage of Bill 55. We can work together. Just Saturday, The Executive Director of the Hilo Business Association contacted me for more information on the Kailua Village Business District. Hilo wants to be the second business improvement district. We want this County Council to pass Bitl 55, Draft 2. The KVBID has committees that will allow everyone to be a partner in this District, no one will excluded. As a volunteer Board of Directors, we are here to serve this community. A step forward here will be a lasting one. I ask all of those here today to stand together, and show leadership and ask for this Business Improvement District to be passed. The first year's agenda "Clean and Safe" will heighten the awareness and allow business owners and patrons, the direct results of these benefits. .~~ , I want to emphasize to the County Council that Bill 55, Draft 2 will make a great difference to everyone who visits Kailua Village. When was the last time you shopped or dined in Kailua Village? We want you to return. Mahalo Aloha Re pectfully, a~~ -1~ Ma 'e Aguil Business C ner Kailua Village Business Improvement District Board Member Kailua Village Merchants Association, President cc: Mayor Harry Kim County Councilors