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C2mt1. 843 The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii a) The Voice of Business in Hawaii Testimony to the Hawaii County Council October 3, 2012 9:00 a.m. C) 25 Aupuni Street , cc') Hilo, Hawaii 96720 -- Re: Hawaii County Council Resolution No. 303-12 c _;. r' Dear Chairman Yagong and Hawaii County Council Members: ,5 {. The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii opposes Resolution No. 303-12. The bill proposes to urge the 2013 Hawai'i State Legislature to repeal Chamber 171C of the Hawai'i Revised Statutes(HRS)to effectively abolish the Public Land Development Corporation. The Chamber is the largest business organization in Hawaii,representing more than 1,000 businesses. Approximately 80%of our members are small businesses with less than 20 employees. As the"Voice of Business" in Hawaii,the organization works on behalf of its members,which employ more than 200,000 individuals,to improve the state's economic climate and to foster positive action on issues of common concern. We believe in balancing economic growth with the preservation of our unique environment while providing opportunities for the future generations of Hawaii's residents. Our approach is to focus on enhancing the `quality of life' for the citizens of Hawaii. We believe a sustainable quality of life is based on, but not limited to the following: educated workforce, lessen Hawaii's dependence on imported oil,develop a wide range of housing opportunities, affordable to all levels of the workforce and market needs,provide for less uncertainty and more predictability in development of government and private projects, ensure economically viable agricultural activities, and plan for growth and sustainability. As such,the Chamber supports the PLDC's mission and its efforts to collaborate with members of the public and to assist state and county agencies to increase public benefit by reinvesting and enhancing state assets. We support working with the PLDC and believe that positive economic impact for the people and State of Hawaii can result from public initiated projects. While we understand the concerns expressed by the public,we believe the PLDC is addressing those concerns by preparing a Strategic Plan and revised Administrative Rules that effectively communicates its mission, goals and parameters with regard to environment,historic preservation and land use for its next board meeting. Once approved,the draft rules will go out for a public hearing. Comm. Nip +3• ' Ref. To: Ref. Date CT 3 2012