2024-04-01 PL-CCI-2024-000003 Bill 121 Parker Vassau Testimony

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From: parker vassau To: W PCtesti mono Subject: Advocacy for Clear Classification of In-Home Services in Bill 121 Date: Monday,April 1,2024 5:13:24 AM Aloha Chairperson Lin, I write to you on this Monday grateful for the opportunity to share with you some concerns about Bill 121 and make a recommendation for a change. I personally cherish the island's vibrant community and the wellness lifestyle it promotes. My testimony today is driven by a personal experience that highlights the importance of accessible, in- home services for residents and my homes short-term visitors alike. It also seeks to address potential misclassifications under Bill 121. During the past year, we made a goal to embarked on a journey to improve all of our health and well-being, incorporating yoga sessions as a cornerstone of this endeavor. Our short-term renters often participate as well. The positive impact was immediate, not just physically, but mentally, creating a sanctuary of peace and rejuvenation within the home. It wasn't long before we added other services to complement the lifestyle change from culinary experts who specialize in healthy cooking to meditation guides who deepen the practice's mental health benefits. However, under the current language of Bill 121, there's an underlying concern that such personal and health-enhancing services could inadvertently fall under the "event" category. "Professional services" is not well defined in the bill and the categorizations under"Gathering" of"picnic, family dinner, or small birthday party" do not clearly include these things. This classification could complicate the integration of these services into our daily lives, imposing unnecessary hurdles for those of us seeking to maintain or enhance our well-being in the privacy of our homes. It is not uncommon for our renters to also hire these services during their stay. Imagine the difficulty in maintaining this newfound balance if each session required navigating a maze of permits, simply because the legislation did not clearly differentiate between commercial events and personal wellness sessions that many homeowners like me enjoy. This concern extends beyond yoga and cooking classes, touching on a broad array of in-home services that contribute to our lifestyle, such as art therapy sessions, personal gardening workshops, and individual music lessons that enrich our cultural appreciation. Under the current draft, all of these could potentially misinterpreted as "events". I urge the Commission to refine Bill 121, ensuring it explicitly exempts personal, non- commercial services aimed at enhancing the health, wellness, and personal development of residents and their short-term rental guests. Such clarity would preserve our ability to foster well-being and personal growth without undue interference, reflecting the true spirit of our community's values. I am hopeful for amendments that will continue to allow our homes to be places of healing, learning, and personal enrichment. Mahalo, Parker Vassau