Kaʻū News Briefs Sept. 20, 2024

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews reported small fountains and lava flows erupting from one of the western fissures just before 9 a.m. on Friday. By 10 a.m., that activity had ceased and the middle East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea had paused. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

ONE NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING BILL WOULD CREATE SPRAWL in Hawai'i County and unintentionally fail to solve the affordable housing problem, according to Jason Masters, an urban planner who grew up in Kaʻū and lives here. He sent a letter, representing only himself, to Mayor Mitch Roth, who could veto Bill 123, following its recent passage by the County Council. Masters also presented his concerns to the Kaʻū Community Development Plan Action Committee at this week's meeting. Masters is Chair of the Action Committee and asked members to weigh in on the matter at its next meeting.
    While he said he does "admire the intention and direction taken by the County Council to address the complex problems of affordable and available housing on our Hawai’i Island," he wrote that Bill 123 would "actually result in just the opposite of what it hopes to accomplish." He referred to the possibility of investors coming into communities and buying up land with the higher housing density approval, to construct multiple expensive, large houses instead of helping to solve the local housing shortage.

Jason Masters, Chair of Ka'u Community Development Plan Action Committee

  He said some of the many unknown adverse effects of this bill include problems with traffic and circulation. He contended it could triple the potential population "without accounting for general infrastructure, on and off-site parking, sewage which is a significant issue in Kaʻū of which we are awaiting resolution, water supply, energy" and more.
    He called for the bill to be held back in order for Action Committees around the island to study it and make recommendations. He also noted that the county's General Plan is under revision and questioned why Bill 123 is a separate item that was rushed through the County Council. He said Bill 123 was "poorly advertised when it probably has much more drastic, immediate impacts" than the General Plan update.
    Masters said that in his 15 years as a City Planner in California before he moved back home to Kaʻū, he wrote many laws regarding accessory dwelling units, which were never for more than one additional unit 

on one property for a habitable use, and never for anything close to over 1,000 sq. ft.; could never exceed the existing dwelling size; and never used for less than long term rental.
    He asked why Bill 123 was "so urgently rushed through. I believe in finding solutions to affordable housing islandwide. But I believe that they have to be varied and targeted solutions as appropriate. I work at the schools in Kaʻū. I want somewhere for these kids and, heck, for their parents right now to be able to live affordably." He said that "given the opportunity, the District of Kaʻū’s Community Development Plan Action Committee would certainly discuss and provide testimony on this item." Masters urged to "Please delay action on this item until such time is given to allow the County’s Action Committees to act on this matter as I believe is consistent with County Law."
    The result of Bill 123, predicted Masters, "will be to forever price out future generations of existing residents and lock them into being forever-renters." He noted that currently Kaʻū District has among the highest homeownership rates in the state even with lowest income levels in the state. "With this Bill, outside investors will come in and buy up cheap lots, and develop them for multifamily housing rentals which will drive up land values, pricing out local families forever." He said that the result of Bill 123 "is to literally encourage urban sprawl just like Los Angeles. Please reconsider the far reaching implications of Bill 123."

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Andrew Amon

POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR ANDREW AMON, a 28-year-old Kaʻū man who is wanted on an outstanding bench warrant, and for questioning in connection with other criminal investigations.
    Amon is described as being 5-foot-five inches tall, 130 pounds with brown eyes and black hair and is known to frequent the area of Hawaiian Ocean View Estates.
Anyone with information on Amon’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact Officer Jenna Kosinski-Santos at (808) 939-2520 or via email at Jenna.Kosinski-Santos@hawaiicounty.gov. They may also contact the Hawaii Police Department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.