HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-03-18 Letter to Russell E. Ruderman, Karl Rhoads, Stanley Chang and Dru Mamo Kanuha HB 257, HD2 Relating to Homelessness
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy., Bldg C Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
(808) 323-4444 Fax (808) 323-4440
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
March 18, 2019
Senator Russell E. Ruderman, Chair
Senator Karl Rhoads, Vice Chair
Committee on Human Services
Senator Stanley Chang, Chair
Senator Dru Mamo Kanuha, Vice Chair
Committee on Housing
Dear Chairs Ruderman and Chang, Vice Chairs Rhoads and Kanuha, and Committee Members:
RE: HB 257, HD2 Relating to Homelessness
The County of Hawaiʻi fully supports HB 257, HD2, since it would extend the three- year pilot project
dealing with homelessness by an extra year, and has the added provision that would broaden the scope of the
Ohana Zones Pilot Program by allowing for partnerships on private land. This added flexibility is critical, and
likely would provide more opportunities to expedite the construction of appropriate housing for individuals
experiencing homelessness.
The Sacred Hearts and Hale Iki emergency housing projects on the Island of Hawaiʻi are a direct result
of two separate government and private sector partnerships that led to the creation of thirty temporary housing
solutions for survivors of the recent Kilauea eruptions.
Hawaiʻi County asks that you vote “Yes” on HB 257, HD2, and that authorization of partnerships
utilizing private land be included in whatever vehicle is forwarded to WAM for action. The added flexibility
would be a positive way of expanding the pilot project and maximizing its potential for success.
Respectfully Submitted,
Harry Kim
MAYOR