HONOLULU (KHON2) — A bill is being proposed to the Senate on Tuesday to decide whether foreigners should be banned from purchasing land in Hawaii.
Senator Brenton Awa introduced SB2617 and said it’s about creating affordable housing for local people.
“The people want this,” Senator Awa said. “During the pandemic right before I got into office here we saw the home prices jump up $400 thousand dollars within a year, and that was because people outside were coming in. When they’re coming in with cash and our salaries over here are less than those of the people who are ready to retire, we can’t compete.”
He said that is what is causing the housing prices to skyrocket. Senator Awa hopes the bill he introduced to ban foreigners from buying homes and property on the islands will even the score.
“This year, we just went straight for what another state had already passed, across the board foreigners banned and there might be amendments we have to make, but we’ll see,” he continued.
According to Awa, the same bill was passed in Florida, but it’s being challenged.
While he does have supporters, the state attorney general submitted testimony opposing the bill and requesting it be held.
The AG said they have grave concerns regarding the constitutionality and legality of the bill and that as written, it could subject the State to litigation and substantial monetary liability.
Real Estate developer, Peter Savio, supports the bill. He said it does not matter if it’s unconstitutional.
“The issue is, it’s identifying the problem. It’s forcing people to face what they’ve wanted to deny for the last 60 years, that it’s outside demand that’s destroying Hawaii, and we have to control it,” Savio said.
If the bill is passed, it would also require any foreign entity or foreign person that owns land to register.
Awa said it’s about standing up for the people and future of Hawaii.
“So argue the unconstitutionality all you want, this is the right thing to do,” Awa stated.
The bill is scheduled to be heard by the Senate in the Capitol. The hearing will be held in Room 224 at 3 p.m.
