HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-23 Letter to Scott Nishimoto RE HB2 J�tv oc p, ,..
:�• _• , . Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim +,p� "r /•+
Mayor • •A z 'e't
Barbara J.Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
!os141:1
•
(1[011Itt iif�. a ai'i
Office of f PAtavor
25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawai`i 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.,Bldg.C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740
(808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440
February 23, 2017
Representative Scott Nishimoto
Judiciary Committee
Hawaii State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Nishimoto and members:
RE: HB 2
Thank you for this opportunity to comment on HB 2.
The problem of unaffordable housing calls for creative thinking, and therefore I
must thank Representative Evans for presenting the idea of"tiny homes," and thank this
committee for giving the idea a hearing.
Although we do not like the idea of the State overriding County ordinances or
regulations, I want to assure Representative Evans and this Committee that we will be
considering all options, including tiny homes that might help with our housing crisis.
We are looking for solutions. I have just directed my departments to do
everything in their power to figure out how to bring down the cost of housing.
If there is a State requirement that would be a barrier to "tiny homes," and the
Legislature wants to use HB2 to say that the counties can proceed "notwithstanding any
State law to the contrary," we would welcome it.
Respectfully submitted,
Harry Kim //
Mayor
County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.