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LeeAnne and Evan Loney <br /> 75-800 Hiona Street#B <br /> Holualoa, HI 96725 <br /> Hawaii County Planning Department <br /> 101 Pauahi Street Suite 3 <br /> Hilo, HI 96720 <br /> August 9, 2023 <br /> Subject: Special Permit Application (PL-SPP-2023-000045) <br /> Applicant: LeeAnne Loney and Evan Loney <br /> Request: To Allow a Three-Bedroom Bed and Breakfast Establishment Within an <br /> Existing Single-Family Dwelling Tax Map Key: (3) 7-5-024.050, North Kona, <br /> Hawaii <br /> Dear Hawaii County Planning Department and Planning Commission: <br /> We are writing to share the nature of our current hosted homestay and address the <br /> points of concern mentioned in a few neighbor letters. <br /> We have been running a hosted homestay in our primary residence in Holualoa for the <br /> last 7 years with zero complaints from any neighbors, anyone in the community, or the <br /> county. Most neighbors have told us they didn't know we were operating a homestay <br /> until we sent out our letters to notify them of this special permit request. Guests stay in <br /> the same single-family home we live in with our two children and their grandmother. We <br /> offer a unique homestay experience because of our personal interaction and how we <br /> treat our guests. Our home sits on a very private one-acre property neatly landscaped <br /> with tropical plants and fruit trees. We host niche travelers who wish to escape from <br /> hotel resorts and learn more about the local lifestyle and culture which we happily share <br /> with them. In past years, we have also hosted many Ironman triathletes, traveling <br /> nurses, and locals from other parts of the Big Island and neighboring islands, including <br /> work crews and even our neighbors,Robert and Marikay Bart, who stayed for two nights <br /> while they termite tented their house. <br /> We are applying for this special permit for a Bed and Breakfast as it has been our <br /> dream since we stayed at our friend's B&B many years ago. We purchased our home in <br /> 2015 with the intention of having a homestay and started hosting in early 2016. We <br /> enjoy hosting visitors and many have become our friends over the years. We have <br /> several guests who come and stay year after year. It has been a positive experience for <br /> our family. It supplemented our income and allowed LeeAnne to stay home and raise <br /> our two young children. Maintaining good relations with our neighbors and community <br /> is a top priority when accepting guest requests to book with us. As such, we thoroughly <br /> vet each guest who stays with us and the majority of guests who stay with us are <br /> families with children like us. We market our homestay as a "family friendly" place to <br /> 1 of 6 <br />