Meeting Time: February 17, 2021 at 1:30pm HST

Agenda Item

BFED-24 CC 21-26 ACQUISITION OF 6.3 ACRES AT 100 MAHALANI STREET WAILUKU, MAUI, HAWAII (BFED-24)

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    BFED Committee over 3 years ago

    Testimony received by BFED Committee

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    Jason Economou over 3 years ago

    Aloha Committee Chair Rawlins-Fernandez, Vice-Chair Paltin, and Committee Members,

    My name is Jason Economou, and I am Government Affairs Director for the REALTORS Association of Maui (RAM). I am submitting this testimony on behalf of RAM, and its 1,700+ members, in Strong Support of agenda item BFED-24 (or, the acquisition of 100 Mahalani Street, Wailuku).

    The acquisition of 6.3 acres at 100 Mahalina Street in Wailuku should be an easy choice for the County. Real estate is generally a wise investment, but the specifics of this property and this transaction strongly suggest that the County will greatly benefit in the long-term by pursuing this purchase. Moreover, given the County’s outstanding credit and current historically low interest rates, you are in an ideal position to finance such an acquisition. Please do not let this opportunity pass the County by.

    We have seen what happens when the County lets a deal such as this pass it by, and you do not want to be the Council that repeats the mistakes of the past. One of the most widely recognized blunders of recent Maui County history is the County’s failure to purchase the One Main Plaza property when it had the opportunity to do so. I am yet to meet a single individual who saw that failure as a “wise” or “responsible” decision, and I strongly urge you to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. Instead, recognize the opportunity that currently sits before you and pursue this acquisition.

    Mahalo,

    Jason A. Economou
    Government Affairs Director
    REALTORS Association of Maui