HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0899.008 2014-2016 PlF0
Murashige, Laura
From: Stefanie Sakamoto Lee <stef@sakamotoconsulting.com>
Sent: Wednesday,June 01, 2016 10:16 AM
To: ' Council Testimony
Subject: Bill 212 testimony
Attachments: 060216_steftestimony_Bi11212.pdf
Aloha,
Attached please find my testimony in opposition to Bill 212.
I think Councilwoman Maile David submitted my email to her as testimony, but you can replace that this my
testimony attached.
Thank you!
Stefanie Y. Sakamoto
Sakamoto Consulting, LLC
N �J
(808) 387-5501
stef@sakamotoconsulting.com
OD --
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Plq. 1
CrOf11141:.No.
Ref. To,
Ref. Date JUN 0 2 1016
1
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Hawaii County Council
Finance Committee
25 Aupuni St.
Hilo,Hawaii 96720
June 2, 2016
RE: Bill 212,In Opposition
Dear Chair Eoff,Vice-Chair Poindexter,&members of the Committee:
My name is Stefanie Sakamoto,and I was born and raised in Hilo,Hawaii. I graduated from
Waiakea High School,and the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
I am in strong opposition of Bill 212,which would repeal the real property tax exemption for credit
unions. I have been a member of CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union (formerly JCC Federal Credit
Union) for most of my life. I had an account at a bank which was opened for me when I was a baby,
but when I opened a checking account there when I was in high school, I found out that bank
checking accounts are not free. I struggled to maintain the"minimum balance",and ended up
paying the bank$25 each month. As a poor high school student with a minimum-wage job,this was
a lot of money. My mother then took me to JCC FCU,and I moved my tiny life savings there,where I
was able to do my banking for no fees.
I never forgot the experience of opening my accounts at the credit union. I was a high school
student with virtually no income,but the credit union employees were so kind and helpful.
Today, I own a small business,and live on Oahu with my husband and son. Even though I moved
away from Hilo,I will always consider it my home. Hilo and Hawaii Island are such special
communities that I believe embodies the philosophy of credit unions: "people helping people". I
know that my credit union, of which I am still a member,helped me achieve success in my life.
Thank you very much for considering my testimony.
Aloha,
11
Stefanie Y.Sakamoto
331 Lu Hau Place
Hilo,Hawaii 96720