text: well, that is interesting.  I wouldn't limit private developers from pursuing their interests, but I do believe the state must either buy and build, or, motivate private builders to build affordable housing.  However, first, we need to raise the property tax on non resident owners, raise the room tax on home vacation renters to the point where at least two thirds of them give up and put those homes/studios back on the long term rental market, and, we need to raise the property tax any home which is just sitting vacant as real estate speculation for more than 6 months.  We have a lot of homes right now which are off the long term market due one of three reasons:  home vacation rentals, real estate speculation, and the illegal vacation rental market.  Those units would provide better service to Hawaii if they were on the long term rental market, so lets add some incentive to get them there.