Realtors® Protecting Private Property Rights

Kaua‘i County Council Chair Mel Rapozo, County Parks and Recreation Director Lenny Rapozo, Councilman Derek Kawakami and Chad Deal, KBR Government Affairs Director.

The Kaua‘i Board of REALTORS® has been actively involved in community issues affecting private property rights and promoting economic stimulation. Working closely with the Kaua‘i County Council and the County Planning Department, KBR has been assisting our county officials by promoting bills such as:

• Extension for Re-certification of Additional Dwelling Units on other than residentially zoned lots
• ADU bill allowing for multi-family units on residentially zoned lots
• Beneficial tax rate for long-term affordable rentals
• Farm-worker housing
• Additional Rental Units currently being reviewed by Planning Department
• Promoting low- and moderate-income housing and long-term affordable rentals and tax relief

KBR has provided legal testimony on the Kaua‘i General Plan Update (Kaua‘i Ka Kou) and is participating with the Council, Planning Department, and the community to fulfill the county’s obligation to complete the General Plan Update in a timely manner. www.plankauai.com

KBR realizes the importance of infrastructure needs in order to develop additional housing, and has supported projects such as Lima Ola, Ho‘oluana at Kohea Loa, and Habitat for Humanity, which are bringing additional affordable homes to our island residents.

Local, state and national REALTOR® organizations are working continually on legislation to assist residents in complying with the Environmental Protection Agency mandate to convert all cesspools to septic systems or sewer hookups to preserve our ‘aina for our children’s future. They have provided calls for action on federal tax reform (keeping the mortgage interest rate, personal income tax and real property tax deductions in place), and the re-authorization of the National Flood Insurance Program.

KBR hosted the three declared Mayoral candidates, Mel Rapozo, Derek Kawakami and Lenny Rapozo at the December General Membership Meeting and will be providing candidate forums as we approach the 2018 election. Three council seats will be vacated as two members are termed out and one will be stepping down to run for mayor. The mayoral race will most likely be very close, as all the candidates are extremely well-loved by our community. Let’s keep a close watch on both council and mayoral races, and encourage members of our community who have not yet registered to vote to do so at their earliest opportunity, as this election will greatly affect the direction of our island.

Call 241.4800 or visit http://elections.hawaii.gov for voter registration.

Visit www.kauaiboard.com to read more about Kaua‘i Realtors®.