The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by Honolulu City Council on May 14, 2025.
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May 14, 2025, 10 a.m.
Honolulu Hale
To: Honolulu City Council
Tommy Waters, Chair
Matt Weyer, Vice Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns
RE: Bill 44 (2025) — RELATING TO AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING
Aloha Chair Waters, Vice Chair Weyer and other members of the Council,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports Bill 44 (2025), which would allow Bill 7 affordable rental housing projects as a permitted use in B-1 and B-2 business districts.
Currently, Bill 7 projects are limited to the apartment, apartment mixed-use, and business mixed-use districts and certain areas of the Waikiki special district.
Expanding where these projects can be built would open up more areas for potential housing construction. For example, there are several B-1 and B-2 districts in Kailua, Kaneohe and Kapolei where Bill 7 rentals could provide much-needed housing.
Passage of Bill 44 (2025) would also help the city code align with Act 37 (2024), which allowed residential uses in areas zoned for commercial uses across the state.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Ted Kefalas
Director of Strategic Campaigns
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
