I feel there is much concern about the broad exemptions in Gov. Josh Green’s emergency proclamation on housing (“Gov. Josh Green signs Hawaii housing emergency proclamation,” Star-Advertiser, July 18).
To me, most egregious is that the Green administration has not yet shared statewide, county-by-county, neighborhood-by-neighborhood affordable housing plans. Indeed, what does Green consider “affordable” and for how long will it remain “affordable”?
As far as I know, there is no proposed metrics dashboard by which progress in affordable housing for local families can be measured and tracked publicly. The governor’s laissez-faire exemptions approach to affordable housing, driven by secret sessions with development interests, may end up generating more inappropriate development — with no community knowledge or consent — without actually increasing the supply of truly affordable housing in perpetuity.
There is concern (lack of trust) that developers, landowners and their supporters will abuse the proclamation and ignore legitimate community concerns similar to abuses of HRS Section 201H-38 (e.g., Manoa Banyan Court, Kuilei Place, Kahoma Village and Kawainui Street Apartments), to maximize “highest and best use” profit without permanent progress on truly affordable housing solutions for local residents and families.
Brett Kurashige
Manoa
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