Committee approves five-year lease for Office of Housing; members ask about long-term cost tracking

The Finance Committee on July 9 forwarded Resolution 552-24 to the full council, authorizing a five-year lease with Kaneshiro and Sons Enterprise Ltd. and Glen Kaneshiro Partnership for office space at 1990 Kina'ole Street for the County Office of Housing and Community Development.

Property manager Hermano Ventura said local market lease rates range from about $1.75 to $2.00 per square foot and confirmed the lease at issue carries 3% annual increases and common-area pass-through charges. Council member Lehi and others sought assurance the lease term and multiyear commitments will be captured in a comprehensive list of county leases so future budgets properly reflect long-term obligations. Finance Director Diane Nakagawa said the county is compiling a report of leases and will add this agreement to that list; the clerk also noted departments are submitting lease information as part of budget review.

Housing administrator Susan (last name redacted in the transcript) told the committee the suite is currently occupied by a six-person community engagement group. The committee recorded nine members in favor and forwarded the resolution to council with a favorable recommendation.