HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-15 Bill 121, 122, 123 Beth Thoma Robinson From: Beth Thoma Robinson.R(B)
To: LPCtestimonv
Cc: Jack Hoyt;Whitney Harvey;Teri Takata; Denni Keyes; Evans.Cynthia F.W.
Subject: Public Testimony in Support of COUNTY COUNCIL(PL-CCI-2024-000003)(PL-CCI-2024-000004)and (PL-CCI-
2024-000005)
Date: Monday,April 15,2024 5:52:59 PM
Attachments: 014 220822.odf
Aloha Chair DeFranco and Commissioners:
I am writing as Secretary of the North Kohala Affordable Housing Group,a sponsored project of the North Kohala
Community Resource Center that was originally formed as a Subcommittee of the 2008 North Kohala Community
Development Plan Action Group.We currently have a mailing list of over thirty North Kohala community
members who attend our monthly meetings and advocate for affordable housing in our district.At our April meeting
the Group discussed and voted to write testimony in SUPPORT of the County Council's package of bills addressing
Transient Accommodation Rentals(TARS)and related sections of the County Code.
Housing was one of the four focus areas chosen for the 2008 North Kohala Community Development Plan.The
Issue/Problem Statement described the need for affordable rentals as well as affordable for-sale homes.While
increasing affordable rentals was identified as a need,in over 3,000 ideas generated in the Talk Story sessions the
issue of short term rentals affecting the inventory of available long term rentals was not mentioned when the
NKCDP was written.That perception has dramatically shifted in recent years.
In 2022 our Affordable Housing Group members conducted an update of the survey of housing needs that was done
by Townscape in 2007 during the writing of the North Kohala CDP.To date we have received over 250 completed
questionnaires from Kohala residents. Of those responding, 117 chose to respond to the final,open ended question.
At least five of the responses specifically mention short term rentals as affecting the rental housing market.Attached
are those responses.While this is anecdotal evidence,our group has also reviewed TAR listings on the major
websites and those listings do not support the claim that the ability to rent extra space is what is keeping local
families in their homes.The survey responses would indicate quite the contrary:that every available room is being
used to house family members who cannot otherwise afford to be housed.That is the priority,not income
generation.
We also read the UHERO study entitled Short Term Vacation Rentals and Housing Costs in Hawaii,which
concluded that there is a relationship between the existence of TARS and the price of housing.We have watched
events unfold on Maui in the aftermath of the Lahaina fire,with shocking data on the percentage of the entire
housing stock that is in short term rentals,and the reluctance of those owners to convert to long term rentals even in
the face of financial incentives and dire emergency conditions.
We have carefully followed the evolution of Bill 121 through five drafts.We note that each draft responded to key
feedback from public testimony,for example by allowing for more flexibility in who"hosts"the rental,and the
possibility for more new owners to register their homes as TARS in the future.While there are items addressed in
the Planning Director's comments that will improve the bill,we support the intent of Bill 121.
We also support the two companions bills.Bill 122 repeals and thereby eliminates conflicts with the existing Bed
and Breakfast regulations,which were so cumbersome that few owners pursued this legal route.With respect to Bill
123,North Kohala CDP Housing Strategy 3.1 specifically addresses `Ohara Housing and Additional Farm
Dwellings as"potentially providing some affordable rental homes."Using the broader and more commonly accepted
term"Accessory Dwelling Units" in the code is a first step towards facilitating the creation of more ADUs.We
support code changes that support this mechanism to quickly create more housing in a form that per our North
Kohala CDP is desired by,and in keeping with the character of,our rural community.By"quickly"we mean that
individual owners applying for building permits should be years faster than a developer's process to build a new
affordable subdivision from district boundary amendment through to actual construction.
We urge a favorable vote on these bills and are copying our County Council member in hopes of quick approval by
the County Council once the Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions approve.
Mahalo for your positive consideration.
Beth Thoma Robinson on behalf of the North Kohala Affordable Housing Group
Beth Thoma Robinson,R(B)
Director,Conservation and Legacy Lands
HAWAII LIFE
bethna hawaiilife.com
808-443-4588 (Direst)
69-201 Waikoloa Beach Dr, Suite 2F14, Waikoloa, HI 96738
HAWAPI ISLAND I OAHU I MAUI I KAUAI I HAWAIILIFE.COM
FOUNDING MEMBER OF FORBES GLOBAL PROPERTIES
Homes for Kohala Survey
Q14 Please share with us any other thoughts you may have on affordable
housing needs in North Kohala and how you feel these needs could be
met.
Answered: 117 Skipped: 125
# RESPONSES DATE
1 It seems to take too long for individuals or families in need to receive an opportunity that would 7/29/2022 8:43 AM
realistically help. Timeframes need to be shortened&the government should be more
proactive& involved in subsidizing to help assist those in need with SAFE & healthy long term
housing opportunities to keep the communities healthy &thriving.
2 Great need in Kohala 7/14/2022 5:40 PM
3 more self help homes 7/14/2022 4:53 PM
4 With the house cost going up, our grandchildren will not be able to buy a home or land because 7/14/2022 4:37 PM
low income does not qualify for those who are in the middle.
5 Should somehow influence the preference of selling of homes/aina to locals rather than out of 7/2/2022 6:48 PM
state/country buyers.
6 We live with family right now, and we have been looking for a place for about 2 years now. 5/12/2022 1:54 PM
Either they don't get back to us or we have too many kids! It's really sad All we want is our
own home for us and our family
7 Please extend the self help housing , in hawi . 5/10/2022 5:39 AM
8 1 feel that there needs to be affordable housing for those that were born and raised in Kohala. 4/28/2022 2:08 PM
9 We must change our concepts of housing. Invent coops collectively owned real estate; shared 3/24/2022 1:09 PM
infrastructure that doesn't need to be built for every structure or unit. (Community garden
space with plumbing required on every developer's project, Laundry facilities, office and
entertainment internet, solar power generation, refrigerators and freezers, meditation space.
10 Housing situation is so bad that many family's all live together under one roof because home 2/25/2022 10:29 AM
and rental prices are crazy
11 More inventory 2/21/2022 10:58 AM
12 1 remember when was affordable for a 2-3 bedroom house. Vacation rentals are destroying the 2/3/2022 4:44 PM
market for reasonable rentals. Or at least I think so. I don't know why rent is so expensive
13 Stop letting people from the mainland buy up everything forcing the locals out of their homes 1/18/2022 12:57 PM
and land. There's no where to rent for us.
14 Vacation rental regulations need to be put in place ASAP. Everyone with ohanas prioritize 1/14/2022 5:12 PM
tourists over residents.
15 There should be a window for residents to bid on new homes before others outside of the state 1/11/2022 6:34 PM
can bid. So many"affordable"houses vanished within days after they were posted by real
estate agencies. Many were cash offers. Locals who have to secure financing need some time
to do so. A two to three week window would be very beneficial I think.
16 Allow local people to purchase homes before those who don't live in Hawai'i and purchase 12/19/20219:07 PM
homes without even viewing them.
17 We need affordable housing. 12/18/2021 1:50 PM
18 Stop selling off Kohala Mountain. We need to preserve it from outside purchasers so we can 12/17/20217:09 AM
have food security
19 Not much homes 12/16/2021 10:23 AM
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20 As much as I hate it, the only option I can think of is duplexes/ condos to make owning/ 12/11/2021 10:21 AM
renting more affordable. I'm a single mother and will never be able to buy a home here with the
way things are currently. I can barely afford rent!
21 Helping out single parents with children to afford a house, may it be a rental or even potentially 12/10/20218:13 AM
a rent to own home, to have a stable, long term living environment for their ohana would be
awesome.
22 More stores? 12/9/2021 10:12 PM
23 Raising the income limit since alot of work places are raising wages as well. 12/9/20216:44 PM
24 Having the equal opportunity to buy large pieces of property than smaller ones. 12/9/20213:45 PM
25 1 am a real estate agent, interested in helping with your project and also securing affordable 12/8/20213:20 PM
housing for myself, my partner, and his son. Please contact me at 808-987-3535. Thank you,
Rebecca
26 Allot of Kohala residents work at hotels or ranches. Families don't want to move away from 12/8/2021 12:57 PM
their families but it's hard to live in a house with two or more families in a home. I feel if we
had affordable housing families won't be moving to the mainland.
27 Must be from Kohala with proof of multigenerations of kohala residency to qualify. Keep land in 12/7/2021 10:02 PM
locals hands.
28 Cost of living in Hawaii is getting too expensive causing some of the locals to move to the 12/7/20213:33 PM
mainland where it's more affordable.
29 Houses that younger adults are looking into purchasing just keep getting more and more 12/7/2021 1:36 PM
expensive. I luckily purchased my home right before the market started to sky rocket yet I still
paid over$400,000 for a plantation house in town. And at the time that was a really high price
for the market. People who do want to stay in Kohala and raise their families here are being
driven away due to the raging market. It's almost unrealistic to be able to afford a house and
not worry about your monthly finances.
30 Housing projects that center around communal parks and gardens with vehicle access only 12/6/20214:26 PM
around perimeter are neat. More walking/ biking paths for people to get around
31 We need affordable homes 12/6/20213:03 PM
32 Local home owners renting to locals so it's affordable, and more self help homes 12/6/2021 1:59 PM
33 1 hope somebody build a houses to buy for affordable houses 12/6/2021 1:40 PM
34 We REALLY NEED IT 12/6/2021 1:38 PM
35 We most definitely need house in Kohala for Kohala people 12/6/2021 11:53 AM
36 This is something Kohala family's need affordable homes or just cheaper home rentals. A lot 12/5/2021 8:21 PM
of kohala family's are not being able to find homes to rent here in kohala because it's either to
expensive, house's being sold or they don't except family pets.
37 I'm currently in teacher housing which is limited to 3 years. In order to stay in north kohala and 12/5/20216:26 PM
continue teaching here, I need to find affordable housing, which is non-existent right now. My
roommate is in the same boat.
38 Develope land instead of selling large parcels to out siders. Kohala has a lot of land ask for 12/5/2021 1:39 PM
contributors to makana the aina to help people. Offer at reasonable prices. Not no million dollar
range. Outrageously terrible.
39 It is greatly needed here in Kohala. A single person or couple or single parent with 1 or even 2 12/5/2021 12:20 PM
children would find it difficult to find something they can afford on just a single income, even if
they do have a decent paying job. Most often there is animals involved as well which makes it
even more difficult to find not just something you can afford that fits your needs but also
accepts pets. It may be helpful to alot of people to see utilities included in the price of rent,
especially if the rent is high for a small place. Most studios or ohana units, whether it's one big
room or 1 bedroom, attached to the owner, is close to or even more than $1000 monthly and
utilities are separate.
40 More self help housing would help. 12/4/2021 10:09 PM
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41 Where are you getting the Land Is it donation or Federal Funding 12/4/20219:29 PM
42 Hoping this will be doable for a lot of families looking to purchase homes. Can't wait to see the 12/4/2021 1:14 PM
outcome.
43 Get a handle on greedy real estate agents who are driving the prices of homes here off the 12/4/2021 11:15 AM
charts.
44 Prices for housing is going thru the roof might have to move to the mainland where it's cheaper 12/4/2021 10:21 AM
45 We have a number of outside people coming in to buy homes in Kohala or buy land in Kohala. 12/4/2021 8:28 AM
And these people do not contribute to the basic fabric of Kohala. They are not teachers,
doctors, etc, and do not serve the community in someway. They raise property taxes. Stay
here a little while and sell off there houses at prices that only other outsiders can afford... or
turn them into vacation rentals. And this vicious cycle continues. If somehow we could
regulate who can buy property by having them demonstrate how they'll contribute to Kohala, so
we can attract those that will serve and build this community. If there here for a lifestyle, let
them rent for at least two years before buying. As much as affordable housing building projects
are helpful, what about assistance to make these houses that are available here affordable,
push for our BI banks to offer USDA rural loans, identify incentives or programs for the
community on buying assistance, and maybe instead new houses, self-help renovation
projects for new buyers to purchase and get assistance to revitalizing and renovating homes
already here.
46 Needs more affordable housing for people with low income because everywhere is to 12/4/20215:45 AM
expensive to live especially if you wanna stay on the Aina
47 Well me and my parents would love to be together being that I and my stepdad are disabled so 12/3/2021 11:42 PM
my mom is usually taking care us including my sister coming over to help my mom... But
most of all we don't want to wonder if where we're renting if they might raise the rent higher and
if can afford it, that's why I think it would be good to have more affordable housing or homes
for us Hawaiian family!!!
48 By keeping it affordable for residents. They the only way I feel would keep a complex up and 12/3/2021 11:29 PM
running
49 The building process here is too strict and difficult. Many farms could offer housing for their 12/3/2021 8:59 PM
workers but aren't allowed to. Farm dwelling should be encouraged not prohibited especially
because farms would keep the money in the economy*here* Let farmers build worker high
desnsity housing -younger people especially want that and to live in ohana with their peers.
50 I was raised in Kohala all my life and I've watched my family go through a foreclosure on the 12/3/2021 7:32 PM
house I grew up in. I understand we have people coming from all over buying land and property
and if that's what they feel like doing, good for them but I didn't expect a raise in real estate for
the locals. We work at hotels, mom and pop shops, Takata, Arakaki, etc. we don't make the
kind of money people from the mainland do. This is our home; I'm 23, I have a full-time job,
and I can barely pay for my car and I'm not eligible to get my own place because my income
isn't 3x more than the rent. I wish I could afford a house because my fiancee and I would like
to start our own family. I've saved up and it's no where near enough to even afford a"decent"2
bedroom house. It's ridiculous in Hawai'i let alone Kohala. We need help, affordable housing,
and some kama'aina benefits for those born and raised here. Thank you and the organization
for setting up this survey because at least now I know our voices are heard.
51 Affordable housing would be really nice for those who can meet the criteria. Houses in the 12/3/20214:17 PM
market now days are really expensive and it is hard for Hawaii resident to purchase a home
due to the prices of the homes and also for those who do not have a steady job income. If
North Kohala could open up house affordable housing, I will be gladly to apply for it.
52 I think if houses were actually affordable to us locals we all wouldn't be struggling living with 12/3/20212:43 PM
family members trying to stay afloat in one house... prices for even rent is ridiculous for even a
studio... You have to be working 3 jobs to even rent let alone buy a house here... affordable
housing would be a blessing if there was such a thing...
53 Prices of homes and land are not affordable for the Kama'aina that live in Kohala. This is the 12/3/2021 12:17 PM
reason there are multiple families living in one house. There needs to be away to inform all the
local families who are interested in purchasing a home what the process is and what it will
take. I feel when it gets too overwhelming they stop looking or trying to purchase a home of
their own.
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54 Aloha, I'm privileged to be able to afford my home from my pension(s)/ investments. I'm 12/3/2021 11:53 AM
seventy-three years of age. There IS a dire need for affordable housing in N. Kohala. I DO
NOT see the situation getting better. Mahalo
55 1 think kids today and future generations will have a hard time finding affordable homes. With 12/3/2021 11:12 AM
everything having a huge increase in prices, high cost of living in HAWAII will make them have
a hard time finding affordable homes. And because of this, most young adults right now are
choosing to stay with parents home just to survive and having a roof over their heads. And
having two jobs isn't enough... $15 minimum wage in Hawaii isn't enough. My parents home
was around$200k back in the 80s-90s. Today it's worth triple that number.
56 More locals less haoles 12/3/20219:23 AM
57 We are being priced out of our land. Why isn't there more affordable housing?Why isn't there 12/3/20219:08 AM
subsidized housing? I am one pay check away from being homeless be the rent is too high.
58 There are so many people with a lot of money moving here that we desperately need affordable 12/3/2021 8:46 AM
housing so our locals have something to choose from.
59 Keep"affordable" housing for locals only. Meaning you would have to have maintained Atleast 12/3/2021 8:35 AM
15 consecutive years of residence in hawaii to apply or purchase, then would have to maintain
a live in of 10 of 12 months at the residence. To much land is being sold to outsiders from the
mainland where the pay is higher and living is cheaper so they can afford to come here and
buy, pushing all the native locals out of their own home lands and making it unaffordable or
even hard to find a home to live in. I don't see this changing in our lifetime, which is sad....
60 All i now is that it would be nice to not worry for someone who is Bron and raised worry if I well 12/3/2021 8:24 AM
have a house to live in next month been that my house I rent is month to month also not have
that feeling behind you head that I paying someone else's mortgage
61 For some of us like myself were moved to Mainland as a small keiki for"better" opportunities 12/3/20216:09 AM
however, Here I am an Adult w/five children of my own&feel like my hapa-popolo children
have a greater chance of survival in Hawai'i nei. Mahalo nui for your time.
62 Everybody helps eachother out 12/3/20215:43 AM
63 Thank you 12/3/2021 1:22 AM
64 Housing programs to help find affordable home for new families or families in need of funding 12/3/2021 12:43 AM
housing with low income
65 Bring everyone together as one& make this happen. 12/2/2021 10:37 PM
66 1 strongly believe that it doesn't matter where you live on the big island , affordable housing for 12/2/2021 10:26 PM
locals in general is hard to find. That's why many of the upcoming generations are having a
hard time to afford their own place wether they live on their own or as a couple or even as a
family of three . That's why many of us live with our parents/relatives/friends still because
housing is ridiculously out priced for locals to afford. If we're speaking realistically, the cost of
living on the islands is only increasing. A single person with a minimum wage job wouldn't be
able to afford a house on their own being that rent costs just as much as a mortgage would. A
family of three with two adults and one child wouldn't be able to afford to buy/rent a place of
their own unless they land a really good paying job or both parents are working two jobs .
That's just the reality of living in the place we call home and it's so unfortunate to our local
people because while it's hard for us to afford a place in our own home , mainlanders/non
residents move here , buy houses, buy land because they have the money for it . While locals
are struggling or being put on waiting lists such as low income housing , Hawaiian homes ,
section 8 , etc . This is why low income housing is so important to have for locals, as much as
I wish it wasn't this way and as much as I wish locals/ local family's could afford to live
comfortably in a house/place of their own , with tourism and the cost of living increasing it
makes it that much harder to afford. Slowly but surely locals are being pushed out of their own
home where they were born and raised, having to move to the mainland because it's more
affordable to make a living in the mainland compared to here. I hope one day locals won't have
to face this issue , I hope one day we can find a solution for our local people and the futures of
our keiki.
67 We need to build more affordable houses for our community. 12/2/2021 10:21 PM
68 More affordable homes we can keep our families here in the islands instead of going to the 12/2/2021 10:05 PM
mainland.
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69 More affordable renting or housing so that young adults don't have to live with their parents till 12/2/20219:54 PM
an older age.
70 This should only apply to people who are Kohala residents 12/2/20219:47 PM
71 1 believe that a lot of the younger age groups 18-30 should have more access to affordable 12/2/20219:23 PM
housing. A lot of people I know including myself must live/stay with their parents after
graduating high school or even after coming home from college and if they started a family of
their own because of the cost of living in Hawaii. As a parent I would love to have my own
space and home for my child and I to"start our life"on our own instead of having to live with
grandma and papa. I feel that if there were more affordable or more construction of"self help"
homes in North Kohala it would be an opportunity for us who were born and raised here to stay
here and raise our own families in the place we love and call home and not have to move
elsewhere because of not having access to affordable housing.
72 Not to see so many house be sold to people who have never set foot in kohala. 12/2/20219:18 PM
73 Bigger property 12/2/2021 8:39 PM
74 We need affordable housing ASAP! There's too much family members in one household 12/2/2021 8:18 PM
because we can't move anywhere else. Can't even find a place in our home town.
75 Offer to North kohala residence first before outside people. Kohala residence turn to the 12/2/2021 8:05 PM
mainland to survive. We need more help
76 Housing is such a big issue today, because of the high cost of living a lot of people are living 12/2/2021 8:05 PM
in multi family homes or are even homeless. We are a family of 7 living in a one bedroom
studio because of the lack of housing available and help.
77 In all honesty, it would be nice for people to rent/sell houses with local people first than people 12/2/2021 8:03 PM
Who make much much more than us and live out of state.
78 Large landowners like Surety Kohala Cooperations, should contribute to such programs like 12/2/2021 7:44 PM
affordable housing for our Kohala community and it's families. Many of years their company
benefited from the community and families that toiled these lands, now it's time to give back to
that same community and ohana.
79 It would be amazing for the younger generations in their 20's and 30's to be able to afford a 12/2/2021 7:35 PM
home to raise their families.
80 I'm a single woman just turning 56. I'd be happy to share my land/space for others but 1 12/2/2021 7:22 PM
deftwould love to have something to call my own and grow a garden and plant trees and share.
81 Self help housing , homestead agriculture subsidies , 50 year lease or affordable mortgage 12/2/20216:15 PM
options
82 WE NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR LOCALS! Living in Hawaii is already so so 12/2/20215:34 PM
expensive@
83 The affordable housing need could be met by not selling to people who are moving from 12/2/20215:16 PM
outside of Hawai'i who do not have ties here, also stop marketing to people who are in a much
higher income bracket.
84 My family raised me here, I've had an amazing childhood. And to being able to raise my family 12/2/20215:13 PM
here is a big goal for me
85 1 built and lived in my self help Home for 17 years. I hope my kids can have similar 12/2/20215:11 PM
opportunities at affordable housing.
86 Being born and raised here in North Kohala, I would love nothing more than to own my own 12/2/20215:10 PM
home here where I grew up. If there is any assistants or programs out there that is willing to
help someone like me make that dream possible then I'm all for it.
87 Less rich people buying our land. 12/2/20214:59 PM
88 Housing needs should be based off of if you are from Hawai'i. Locals born in Hawai'i, should 12/2/20214:53 PM
be taken care of first before new arrivals
89 More self help and a more responsive application process! 12/2/20214:49 PM
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90 Stop selling off lands and preserve or purchase lands that can be used for locals to stay in 12/2/20214:06 PM
their home town and raise their family
91 Each home/piece of land that is sold to a non-local and moreover a non-Hawaiian actively 12/2/20214:03 PM
displaces native Hawaiian people from their 'Aina. "Where there are no Hawaiians there is no
Hawai'i."Generational Kohala families should be provided options to stay in Kohala through
various means of house affordability that are accessible.
92 Affordable housing needs to be available to the local population only and should not be 12/2/20213:53 PM
available to people not from here. Houses in Kohala shouldn't just go to the highest bidder
because that increases the property value throughout Kohala. Local community should always
be put first.
93 The need has been there for years yet realtors (not all) keep selling to outsiders because they 12/2/20213:40 PM
offer the most money. Maybe needs to be a petition to keep Kohala homes for Kohala people.
Or at least get funds to develop low income homes like Waikoloa has.
94 We can't afford to rent or buy homes now days do the high price and only making a little over 12/2/20213:31 PM
the minimum wage. So having affordable housing would be the key but should only benefit the
kohala community because a lot of kohala locals have their lives set already
95 I'm open to learning more about options on affordable housing. Born and raised here and it's 12/2/20213:03 PM
scary to think that one day we might have to uproot because of the cost of living here
96 Clamping down on BRBO in residential areas help. Prices are really high and most people have 12/2/2021 12:19 PM
issues coming up with a down payment. There is not a lot of product to choose from.
97 PLEASE Keep the housing to OUR community members and their children FIRST If they are 12/2/2021 11:32 AM
offered these homes they should live in it, not rent or sell it out
98 Small families are living with their parents, rent and purchase is through the roof. Affordable 12/2/2021 11:19 AM
housing will keep the local's here, instead of moving to the mainland.
99 We need more. To rent a home here is outrageous, of course. But to buy a home is nearly 12/2/20219:51 AM
almost impossible being a single parent with you children. To afford a home means working 2+
jobs and barely having time to spend with your children while the bloom right before your eyes.
It's insane and heartbreaking making a living in Hawaii just in general. Kohala is to me
expensive because the land here, the views on mountains, other island, the ocean. It's a
beautiful town to live in and of course the price is definitely there as well.
100 Affordable housing needs more support from government and the community. It also needs 12/1/2021 8:30 PM
more promotions to help the people get more educated, to help obtain an affordable home.
101 It's tough for families for both parents to work high paying jobs, pay bills, and take care of our 12/1/2021 8:03 PM
children, not qualified for snap as a source of assistance and think we are able to pay a
mortgage too. Specially nowadays, we do what we can to make ends meet. We are still on the
waiting list for Self-help Kohala phase as our hope for my small family of 5 to call our own
home. Kohala has always been a multi-family dwelling. But can't keep Kohala- Kohala, I grew
up here went to school here and would love to keep raising my kids here but in our own
s pace(home).
102 There is a serious lack of affordable homes to buy, but I think the need is greatest for 12/1/2021 7:07 PM
affordable rentals for young families.
103 We need affordable housing to keep kohala people here. I've know kohala people that came 12/1/20215:33 PM
back to live in kohala but moved away again because they could not afford to stay in kohala,
this was a family of 7.
104 1 think affordable housing needs to be provided FIRST to current residents. It's hard for me to 12/1/20215:29 PM
see affordable housing going to people who don't even live in the area, much less the state (or
the country for that matter). I know this is better business for real estate purposes, but we are
being sold out of our own homes and our kids can't afford to stay. There should be some
protections to Hawaii residents and not affordable housing for people who are planning on using
what they buy to profit off of Hawaii at resident's expense.
105 Self help provides affordable housing, along with the satisfaction that owners are investing 12/1/20215:25 PM
their time and labor into the project.
106 Thank you for doing this 12/1/20214:29 PM
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107 While we are not in need, I know of others in the community who are. And, I know several 12/1/20213:52 PM
families who have left for the mainland because of housing costs here. When single wall
plantation homes are selling for over half a million, something is very wrong.
108 Rent needs to be cheaper so that families can save for a down payment of a home. We also 12/1/20213:44 PM
need our people to be financially literate. This can be met by people being a part of my
company 101 financial. So many people are able to get out of debt, buy and pay off their
homes through this program. We need this success in kohala.
109 1 think an apartment building with smaller units and shared lawn would be good. 12/1/20213:00 PM
110 There definitely is a need for Affordable Housing and one of the biggest hurdles that Kohala 12/1/20212:57 PM
(and ultimately the Big Island) is faced with, is the lack of enough LAND in which affordable
housing opportunities can be incorporated. It would be great to have MORE RENTALS for
young adults and families as they work towards homeownership. That would allow more young
adults and/or families that have been born and raised in Kohala to be able to stay in Kohala
and in turn, raise their family in Kohala themselves.
111 There greatly needs to be more afordable housing here, we struggle living in the house we do, 12/1/2021 7:58 AM
and aren't happy- but there's isn't anything even to rent available. Would love to see more
options or even Hope to own our own home. Which seems Daunting with the house market and
prices these days!
112 1 moved to Kapa'au ,April 1st,1974 after buying my precious pastureland a few months earlier. 11/30/20219:39 PM
We started out with 3 kids and a tent! I Ve loved living in North Kohala for 48 years!This survey
doesn't apply to my situation, but I am very interested in seeing affordable(as low as
possible-self-help? be available to hardworking Kohala residents I think all expensive Housing
Developments , Developers,Sales should have to contribute a portion to fund Housing that is
Affordable for people here at least 25 years, especially those born here. Regulate property tax
rates for longterm residents..
113 There most definitely NEEDS to be affordable housing. The prices for the homes here are way 11/30/20216:27 PM
too expensive for us locals to afford. All the homes that go up for sale here are being bought
by people that aren't from here. People who come from the mainland with 6 figures in their
bank to buy these homes when the local people work pay check to paycheck to live and try
their best to save up still need to take out a loan in order to buy a home. The people of hawai'i
can't even afford to live here and are being forced to move to the mainland where housing is
more affordable. I'm born and raised here in kohala and my dream is to raise my ohana here in
my home town where I grew up. My heart hurts as I see homes here in kohala being bought by
people I have never seen in my life. How can us local people compete with that?! How can we
truly keep kohala, kohala? Providing affordable housing for the people of kohala is a step in the
right direction Mahalo
114 There are so many abandoned houses, an agency could buy them, fix them up and rent or sell. 11/30/2021 11:18 AM
115 Locals living in hawaii for 10 years or more need to be put first before all the property is sold to 11/29/20214:48 PM
outsiders. It is devastating our community. There are literally no affordable n Houses or
rentals, and the job market is low, pay rates are low. Shame on the real estate agents for
selling out our community!
116 1 feel there is a need to regulate rent prices. Right now the income/wage does not meet the 11/29/20212:52 PM
demands for rent. Landlords are no longer asking fair prices for a house or for a room based on
wages. This needs regulation/ rent caps. Also there is a huge lack of rentals and housing
available. But there are somewhere around 60 AirBnb's. There needs to be regulation on how
many Airbnb's can be available in a community with lack of housing. The rentals are here, but
they are only available for tourists. I have had multiple friends leave because of lack of
housing or affordable housing and it breaks my heart. I am in need of new housing in the future
and I am afraid I wont be able to find it. The situation is dire in my opinion. Thank you for doing
this work!
117 Land trusts. 11/29/20217:08 AM
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