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COUNTY CLERK �►(I �o$
10-14-18 COUNTY OF H AWWA 1 f
Dear County Council Members, 7018 OCT 1 5 AN 11: 08
I am writing you today regarding my concern for SNR Bill 108. I am a Leilani resident; my home is
located in upper Leilani on Malama st. On May 3rd my family and I evacuated our home due to the Lava
eruption. Our dream home,the place we had hoped to raise our kids in and retire was now in a disaster
zone. Our dreams were dashed, and our life turned upside down. My family of 6 were fortunate enough
to stay in a family members 500 Sqft.studio.With the unknown future of our Leilani home and a job
opportunity that came up for me in the Virgin Islands I left my island home and my family in June to
work a long term project that would allow us to qualify for another home mortgage.
Thankfully we are in the final days of closing on a new home in Fern Acres.Although this is a blessing it
also comes with heavy financial burden. Since we entered escrow the lava has stopped, my home is still
standing in Leilani. Major work is needed to our Leilani home to make it livable again but it is possible.
I can not afford to pay two mortgages on my normal annual income. Our hope is that we can restore our
Leilani home so that we can rent it out. Our home value has plummeted to a value of Zero! My
insurance will not pay me to cover a home that is still standing. I have finally received a letter from my
insurance cutting me a check to help restore the property,although it still does not cover the estimated
cost of repairs submitted by the engineer. I cannot sell my home to pay off my mortgage, and I can not
bare the weight of two mortgages. I have no other option but to rent out my Leilani home or foreclose.
Renting out my Leilani home for the monthly cost of my mortgage will be tough. Many people have lost
their jobs in Puna and are struggling to survive. If a long-term rental was an option for me and could
cover the expense of the mortgage I would explore that possibility. Unfortunately, I do not believe that
to be the case. I do believe an STVR would be a viable solution to my dilemma.
An STVR should provide enough income for me to pay my mortgage and improve the property.An STVR
will provide the income to pay for a cleaning service,yard service andmaintenance service.This will
provide jobs to the local community,the much needed jobs that have been lost and are needed to
revive the economy in Pahoa.
Ladies and Gentleman of the council I beseech you, please do not tie our hands by passing Bill 108.
- Before people can pay for homes they need jobs. STVR's provide jobs in Pahoa.The more jobs there are
the more houses will be built and the more people can afford to live in those homes.Jobs must come
first, and homes will naturally follow.
Council Members I thank you for your time to hear out the people of Pahoa,the people who have lost
so much this year.The people who desperately need our officials to help us revive what has been lost.
I write this letter today thousands of miles away from my family, away from my home.Wishing to return
home with the opportunity to support my family and my community,Thank you.
Mahalo Nui
Matthew Herrera
Resident of Pahoa, IN'3n
Leilani Estates Comm. No.
Ref.To: P IPG
Ref. Date OCT 15 2018