South Shore
Poipu is being over-run with development projects that a majority of the community are resistant to. To read about the latest in poipu and how to get involved, visit PoipuStory.Org.

Shoreline Setback Bill
Council members JoAnn Yukimura and Mel Rapozo co-introduced a Shoreline Setback Bill (2226). Bill 2226 would require new homes to be built behind a certified shoreline that is established based on scientifically-determined coastal erosion rates. This bill would help to protect public access and views along the coastline. In its original form the bill would require a 40-foot minimum setback plus 70 times the annual coastal erosion rate — as recommended in the Hawai‘i Coastal Hazard Mitigation Guidebook. If passed, it may be the strongest of its kind in the country. Several council-members have threatened to vote against the bill if it is not modified. If you would like to see strong protection of coastal access based on scientific data, please show up on Wednesday, December 19th to support the bill. At the last meeting, council votes for the amendment to water down the bill were 3-3. If the votes are still split on the final vote on December 19th, the bill will die. For the latest news, click here.

Vacation Rental Bill
The problem of vacation rentals driving up the cost of land and long-term rentals is complex, and requires innovative solutions. The vacation rental issue affects most people on Kaua'i, and there is a wide spectrum of opinions on the best solution. Many diverse community interests have participated in creating Bill 2204, which will prohibit new single-family vacation rentals outside Visitor Destination Areas (VDA). The bill will grandfather in those that existed lawfully at the time of the bill's passage. This bill is currently stuck in the Council Planning Committee, which will meet to act on it on December 12th. It will get a final vote at the December 19th general meeting.

Affordable Housing Bill
The County's Housing Policy Bill (2202) passed on November 20th with a 6-0 vote. Under the new policy, residential developments of 26 units or more must provide 30 percent workforce housing. Only 20 percent of this 30 percent will be affordable for the lowest income bracket, which 60 percent of residents are part of. The original bill mandated 50 percent for the lowest income group, but this number was slashed by an amendment introduced by councilperson Iseri-Carvalho on the morning the bill was passed. The bill is currently waiting to be signed by the mayor, and then will become law. The final draft of the bill can be read in the attachments section below.

JoAnn Yukimura: A Key to Affordable Housing