HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-13 Letter to Glenn Wakai and Karl Rhoads re SB 3058 Relating to the Waiakea Peninsula in HiloHarry Kim
Mayor
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Wil Okabe
A hinuguig Director
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
February 13, 2018
Senator Glenn Wakai, Chair
Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 414
Honolulu, HI 96813
Senator Karl Rhoads, Chair
Committee on Water ane Land
Hawaii State Capit0i, Room 414
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Wakai and Rhoads, and Co mittee Members:
Re: SB 3
Heari
58 Relating to the Waiakea Peninsula in Hilo
g Date: 02/15/18 — 1:15 em; Conference Room 414
Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of SB 3058. SB 3058 is not
our first choice in resolving the issues surrounding the redevelopment of State land on
the Waiakea Peninsula, but it certainly would be a step forward, Our preferred bill, SB
2972, was previously heard by your committees along with AEN), passed unanimously;
and presently is in \NAM.
As 1 stated in your hearing on SB 2972, Banyan Drive is underutilized and in
disrepair. It is the center of tourism in East Hawaii, but it is a jewel that is quite
tarnished at the present time. The inability to provide an environment of investmenwitht
expiring State leases only aggravates the situation.
Hawaii County has taken the first steps toward revitalizing the Banyan Drive
peninsula. The administration, Council, community, and Big Island legislators have
found cam on purose; the redevelopment area has been defined; and a conceptual
master plan has been created as a starting point. ow funds are needed to conduct the
environmentaHmpact statements necessary to complete the redevelopment plan and
move forward.
The Hawail County budget is severely strapped, and 1 have already had to
impose increases in our property, fuel, and vehicle weight taxes. Nevertheless, 1 can
commit to you that 1 would include $250,000 in the 2018-2019 County budget, in order
to provide the matching funds called for in SB 2972. We believe that it is just and
County of I-lawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Februa
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2018
proper to ask the State to s are in the EIS expense, given that the redevelopment area
consists almost entirely of State land, but we recognize that the County must do its part
as well, to the best of our financial ability.
Although we think that S: 2972 offers the best path forward and builds on work
already done, we do not want to risk having this Legislature take no action at all.
Therefore, we also will suppo measures, such as SB 3058, that would address
expiring State leases, direct resources, both statutorily and financially, toward the
redevelopment of Banyan Drive while providing sufficient local perspective in decision-
making.
1 hope you will act favorably on SB 3058, and that both bilis will eventually be
approved by the full Senate.
Respectfully submitted,
Harry Ki
Mayor, County of Hawaii
County of Fiawai 1 is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer