HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-30 Letter to Jill Tokuda re HB 1469 HD1 SD1 Relating to Public Lands *. Oi
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Managing Director
Harry Kim ���:, :
Mayor ..t.z_ Barbara J.Kossow
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County ofc 1uai`i
(Office offk Augur
25 Aupum Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 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
March 30, 2017
Senator Jill N. Tokuda, Chair
Committee on Ways and Means
Hawai'i State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Tokuda and Members:
RE: HB 1469 HD 1, SD 1
Relating to Public Lands
I would like to thank the Legislature for its attempts to resolve the dilemma of
State leases on commercial properties that are nearing the end of their lease term. One
prime example of an area currently affected by this problem is the commercial or light
industrial part of Hilo, which could be viewed as comprising at least two distinct
geographic neighborhoods, the Waiakea peninsula and the Kanoelehua Industrial Area.
My Administration has been supporting the efforts of Big Island legislators to
make special provisions for an economic district in Hilo, reflected in early drafts of HB
575, SB 1292, and HB 1479. We have wanted to mirror the community wishes, and
have been very impressed with the way in which the community has worked together
and rallied behind these proposals, particularly the original SB 1292.
The full Senate approved SB 1292, SD2, but its contents have been gutted in the
House in favor of alternate approaches to dealing with public leases. It seems clear that
this issue will be going to conference, and we think the best way to assure that the
collaborative efforts of state, county, and community leaders are not put at risk would
be to keep alive as many reasonable alternatives as possible.
Therefore, we would like to suggest that HB 1469 be further amended by adding
the language from SB 1292, SD2 as a separate part. Among other things, SB1292 has
the advantage of addressing both the tourist/ocean oriented Waiakea peninsula, and
the small entrepreneurs who comprise the Kanoelehua Industrial Area.
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
Jill Tokuda
March 30, 2017
Page 2
If such a bill were to continue on to conference (along with HB 575, also on this
hearing's agenda) it would give the stakeholders more time to fully evaluate the options
and collaborate on a final approach. Lessees might appreciate having many options, or
might reject one or another, but the hard work of building consensus would be rewarded
rather than lost.
Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
arty Kim
Mayor
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer