HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-12 Letter to Richard H.K. Onishi re HB 2554, HD 1 Relating to Punishing Counties that do not Authorize Enough HousingHarry Kim
Algyor
Wil Okabe
A lanaging Director
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
Ointuttli ifthiai1
Offirr of nor
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February 12, 2018
Representative Richard H.K. Onishi, Chair
House Committee on Tourism
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 429
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Onishi and Committee Me bers:
Re: HB 2554, HD 1 elating to Punishing Counties that do not Authorize
Enough Housing
Hearing Date: 02/13/18 — 9:00 am; House Conference Room 429
Thank you for this opportunity to oppose HB 2554, HD1.
The County of Hawaii is well aware of the need to increase the housing stock on
the Big Island, especially housing in the affordable range. The same can be said of the
other counties. We all share the concern for more housing, and we are all taking
suitable steps to encourage construction. Therefore, the punishment proposed in H
2554, HD 1 is not warranted. We are appropriately focuse, even without targets tied to
penalties.
The fact that my staff thinks the targets are unattainable just adds to our distress
over this bill. To give some perspective, Hawaii County issued 799 new construction
permits for single family houses in FY2017, about 40% of what HB 2554, HD 1 would
require.
1 would strongly urge that HB 2554, HD 1 be held.
Res ec fu
y sub
ed,
arry Kim
Mayor, County af Hawaii
(ounly of 1-lawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Empk,