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(J:i:''A9:%) <br /> Hale 'Ohu <br /> January 21, 2024 <br /> To: Hawaii County Council Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Development <br /> Sent via email to: counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov <br /> Re: Opposition to Bills 121 and 122 <br /> We are writing to oppose Bill 122 that would eliminate legally recognized Bed & Breakfasts <br /> (B&B) and include B&Bs under newly proposed Bill 121 relating to Transient Accommodation <br /> Rentals (TARS). <br /> In 2016, we fulfilled our lifelong dream to purchase a B&B and run it as a family operation. We <br /> purchased a long-established B&B in Volcano Village along Old Volcano Road which had an inn <br /> license to operate ten rooms which we amended to a B&B permit (Special Permit#966) to <br /> operate up to five rooms. In making this major life change, we moved our entire life to Hawaii <br /> which included leaving our jobs and spent much of our life savings on this new exciting venture. <br /> Our B&B is our sole source of income and it feels like the County wants to put us out of <br /> business. <br /> Running a small business is not an easy feat. We have dealt with the 2018 eruption that closed <br /> the national park for four months. As the primary reason for visiting Volcano is the park, this <br /> was a huge downturn for our business. Then, the pandemic hit and the same scenario occurred. <br /> Lastly, with the Maui fires and the high inflation perception, we saw a significant drop in guests <br /> from mid- 2023. <br /> What is the point of eliminating B&Bs in Bill 122?As you probably know, traditional and legally <br /> permitted B&Bs are not vacation rentals i.e. AirBnBs. AirBnB is a company that has co-opted the <br /> term B&B and created the perception that a B&B is a short-term vacation rental. That is simply <br /> NOT true! The AirBnB concept has nothing to do with a real B&B. Plus, their platform does not <br /> allow B&Bs to collect sales taxes. It is unfair for real B&Bs, such as ours, to be included with <br /> vacation rentals. We operate like a hotel. We currently adhere to all rules and regulations in <br /> Chapters 25 and 14, Article 4, Section 14-20 of the Hawaii County Code. If there are B&B <br /> properties not adhering to these regulations, enforcement should be the responsibility of the <br /> County. The self-reporting component of this legislation does not fix the lack of previous <br /> oversight and enforcement by the County. <br /> 19-3896 Old Volcano Road • PO Box 2102 • Volcano, HI 96785 • +1 808.731.5243 • www.haleohu.com <br />