KIAA is in support of HB 499. While we understand that there is opposition to this bill becoming law, we believe that HB 499 is crucial in allowing businesses to survive and thrive in our community.
By allowing lessees of public lands to apply for extensions to their leases, businesses would be able to secure financing to invest in their properties, ensure the long-term maintenance of public lands and continue to generate much-needed revenue for the state. Many of these businesses have already had to make sacrifices due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are barely scraping by as is. Without extensions, they would be forced to close and join the growing number of local businesses that have been forced out of business.
This affects Hilo and the Big Island in particular because many businesses are sitting on public land leased from the state. If these businesses are not allowed to extend their leases, their long-term viability will be called into question and there is a real possibility that we could lose some of the small businesses who have helped Hilo thrive for the past 60 years.
KIAA and the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce submitted a letter of support for HB 499 to Governor Ige. A copy of the letter can be found by following the link below.