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Harry Kim <br />Algyor <br />Wil Okabe <br />A lanaging Director <br />Barbara J. Kossow <br />Deputy Managing Director <br />Ointuttli ifthiai1 <br />Offirr of nor <br />25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 0 Fax (808) 961-6553 <br />KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 <br />(808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 <br />February 12, 2018 <br />Representative Richard H.K. Onishi, Chair <br />House Committee on Tourism <br />Hawaii State Capitol, Room 429 <br />Honolulu, HI 96813 <br />Dear Chair Onishi and Committee Me bers: <br />Re: HB 2554, HD 1 elating to Punishing Counties that do not Authorize <br />Enough Housing <br />Hearing Date: 02/13/18 — 9:00 am; House Conference Room 429 <br />Thank you for this opportunity to oppose HB 2554, HD1. <br />The County of Hawaii is well aware of the need to increase the housing stock on <br />the Big Island, especially housing in the affordable range. The same can be said of the <br />other counties. We all share the concern for more housing, and we are all taking <br />suitable steps to encourage construction. Therefore, the punishment proposed in H <br />2554, HD 1 is not warranted. We are appropriately focuse, even without targets tied to <br />penalties. <br />The fact that my staff thinks the targets are unattainable just adds to our distress <br />over this bill. To give some perspective, Hawaii County issued 799 new construction <br />permits for single family houses in FY2017, about 40% of what HB 2554, HD 1 would <br />require. <br />1 would strongly urge that HB 2554, HD 1 be held. <br />Res ec fu <br />y sub <br />ed, <br />arry Kim <br />Mayor, County af Hawaii <br />(ounly of 1-lawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Empk, <br />