2019-02-21 Letter to Sylvia Luke and Ty J.K. Cullen HB 1219, HD1 Relating to Public Lands

Home

Harry Kim Mayor County of Hawaii Office of the Mayor Wil Okabe Managing Director Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing Director 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i 96740 (808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 February 21, 2019 Representative Sylvia Luke, Chair Committee on Finance Representative Ty J.K. Cullen, Vice Chair Committee on Finance Dear Chair Luke, Vice Chair Cullen, and Committee Members: RE: HB 1219, HD1 Relating to Public Lands Thank you for this opportunity to comment on HB 1219, HD1, as it would impact the Waiakea Peninsula in Hilo, Hawaii. Simply stated, we support any legislation that will help the revitalization of Banyan Drive and the rest of the Waiakea Peninsula. Virtually everyone familiar with this area agrees that it 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. Hawaii County has taken first steps toward revitalizing the peninsula. The administration, Council, community, and Big Island legislators have found common purpose; the redevelopment area has been defined; the Banyan Drive Hawaii Redevelopment Agency (BDHRA) is functioning, and a conceptual master plan has been created as a starting point. Now funds are needed to conduct the environmental impact statements necessary to complete the redevelopment plan and move forward. The Hawaii County budget is severely strapped, and I have already had to impose increases in our property, fuel, and vehicle weight taxes. Therefore, I am hoping the State will provide funds for the EIS. We believe that it is just and proper to ask the State to share in the EIS expense, given that the peninsula consists almost entirely of State land. Although there may be paths forward, other than HB1219, HD1, which build on work already done, we do not want to risk having this Legislature take no action at all. Therefore, we will support any measure that directs resources, both statutorily and financially, toward the redevelopment of Banyan Drive while providing some local perspective in decision-making. We suggest that HB1219, HD1 should be improved with the following amendments (which are geared to the proposed Waiakea district specifically, but which should perhaps apply to all districts created in the future, except for item #4): (1) Designate the boundaries of the Waiakea peninsula redevelopment district, as required by Section 171- B (b) of the bill. (2) Provide that the makeup of the committee include appointees by the Mayor (perhaps two or more); County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.