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...... <br /> ..` <br /> ^ 64. Wil Okabe <br /> Managing Director <br /> , . <br /> Harry Kim . <br /> Mayor -vs-et•. <br /> Barbara J.Kossow <br /> *::... .e:t•O Depu0 Managing Director <br /> Couttfv <br /> )(fire of flit Aim <br /> 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 <br /> KONA: 74-5044 Me Keohokalole Hwy.,Bldg.C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740 <br /> (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 <br /> February 21, 2017 <br /> Representative Sylvia Luke <br /> Finance Committee <br /> Hawaii State Capitol <br /> Honolulu, HI 96813 <br /> Dear Chair Luke and members: <br /> RE: HB 1479, HD 2 <br /> Thank you for this opportunity to testify in general support of HB 1479, HD 2. <br /> The County of Hawaii has been partnering with the community in planning the <br /> future of publically-owned commercial properties in Hilo, through the Banyan Drive <br /> Hawaii Redevelopment Agency (BDHRA). While we appreciate the initiatives put forth <br /> in HB 1479 and comparable bilis, we have not wanted to abandon our current partners, <br /> and therefore have been hoping to get input from BDHRA before taking a final position <br /> on the proposed legislation. <br /> Since your hearing on HB 1479 will occur prior to the next scheduled meeting of <br /> BDHRA later on Wednesday, please accept this testimony while recognizing that the <br /> BDHRA has not yet had the opportunity to take a position on a bill that will so clearly <br /> impact its efforts to develop and implement a master plan for the Banyan Drive <br /> peninsula. <br /> We have been monitoring this bill through its committee hearings and appreciate <br /> the amendments in Draft 2 that provide greater clarity regarding lease proceeds as they <br /> involve Hawaiian Home Lands. We do, however, wish to offer the following comments <br /> for your consideration: <br /> 1. Having three voting members representing the Hilo community on <br /> the new board does not seem adequate. Should this bill be enacted into law, the <br /> Hilo Community Economic District (HCED) will be the only economic district <br /> outside of the City and County of Honolulu. For this reason, we ask that <br /> consideration be given to providing that the HCED have a voting majority of <br /> County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />