I am writing as the Chairman of the Hawaii Sustainable Community Alliance.We are a group of 250 Big island Residents formed a year ago with the initial focus to research, write and present an alternative code for Hawaii County.We have learned that we are not alone in this endeavor, in addition to Hawaiians for Affordable Housing and Bob Ernst’s Stakeholders we are aware of at least five other groups organizing to submit proposals to the Administration.Early on in our research we met with Scott Leonard, Zoning Inspector and learned from him that other Mainland Counties have tried and tested Alternative Building codes over the last three decades. We also learned from him about the complexities and injustices of administering the current code in his testimony to the Cost of Government Commission (please refer to the attached file).
We decided that in a County as diverse as ours it makes absolute sense to have an Alternative Code. We started work on a Sustainable Habitat Resolution addressing limited density rural dwellings and appurtenant structures and have presented the concept to three Council Members who all gave their support.The final draft is presently with Legislative Review (see file attached) and will be presented to County Council by Angel Pilago.  Scheduled dates for hearings are September 22nd, October 4th and October 19th.
Our Organization has also written a draft of a Sustainable Habitat Ordinance which is also attached for your review. This is totally based upon the codes that have been adopted by other mainland Counties.
Finally, our organization would like to endorse the points raised by Ross Armetta in his letter to you dated  9/12/11.
Thank you for your willingness to work with residents of our County on creating building codes that work for all our different needs.
Mahalo,Graham EllisChair, Hawaii Sustainable Community Alliance.