By the authority vested in me by the Conslitution and laws of the State of Hawaii, in order to provide relief for disaster damages, losses, and suffering, and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people, I, JOSH GREEN, M.D., Governor ofthe State of Hawaii, hereby determine, designate, and proclaim as follows:

WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), emergency powers are conferred on the Governor of the State of Hawai’i to respond to disasters or emergencies, to maintain the strength, resources, and economic life of the community, and to protect the public health, safety, and welfare; and

WHEREAS, the need for an immediate and profound solution to Hawaii’s affordable housing shortage necessitates the advancement of affordable housing projects in a way that will ensure the production of affordable housing units immediately and going forward; and

WHEREAS, the increasing costs of construction material, labor, and regulatory compliance has significantly impacted the financial viability of affordable housing projects, compelling a reevaluation of funding strategies and resource allocation to ensure these projects continue to develop in the face of escalating expenses; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (“H H FDC”) is statutorily authorized to grant exemptions to statutes, ordinances, charter provisions, and rules of any government agency relating to planning, zoning, construction standards for subdivisions, development and improvement of land, and the construction of dwelling units thereon; and

WHEREAS, on July 17, 2023, I issued a Proclamation relating to housing that declared an emergency created by the lack of housing for the people of Hawai’i; and

WHEREAS, on September 15, 2023, I issued the Proclamation relating to affordable housing that clarified that the emergency related to the lack of affordable housing for the people of Hawai’i; and

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