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From: Rod Ouartararo <br /> To: LPCtestimonv <br /> Subject: STVR <br /> Date: Monday,April 15,2024 1:15:59 PM <br /> I want to keep this brief. I agree that we have a housing shortage on the Big Island. It is quite <br /> evident that homes here have been purchased here for no other reason by investors for the <br /> purpose of STVR. These properties are, for the most part,NOT owner-occupied. <br /> Not allowing any STVR to me is a bit like throwing "out the baby with the bath water". <br /> Consider the following: <br /> STVR do provide affordable vacation rentals if properly administrated and legislated. Hotel <br /> rooms/accommodations for a family wishing to visit our Island have made such a visit often <br /> times not affordable. After resort fees,parking fees and room rent, a family of 4 will be <br /> paying greater than $500 a night. For that, vacationers receive minimal sleeping facilities, no <br /> cooking accommodations (additional expense) and very importantly miss out on a part of the <br /> real Hawaiian Island Experience. For larger families,two rooms are needed making <br /> vacationing all that much more expensive. <br /> Again, non-owner vacation rentals are not the answer. I do not want our/my neighborhood <br /> turned into a"hotel" street depriving the neighborhood of being a "neighborhood", and <br /> minimizing our inventory of much needed long term rentals. <br /> Something to consider: My wife and I own and occupy our residence. We have lived here for <br /> I I years. Our 4 grown children live on the Mainland as well as her 8 brothers and sisters and <br /> my 4 sisters. We look forward to visiting the Mainland 3 or 4 times a year. What I would <br /> recommend is that we set up a program for owner-occupied hosting. LIMIT the STVR by <br /> owner occupants to 40 days a year. This would provide affordable family vacation rentals, <br /> provide more of the Hawaiian/Cultural experience, would not encourage speculative home <br /> investments and make living in Hawaii more affordable and enjoyable for senior citizens in <br /> particular. <br /> Net result,more affordable FAMILY vacation rentals, additional income for we seniors who <br /> need it, a better experience for Island visitors and more family visitors who in tum spend their <br /> vacation dollars here. <br /> Thank you for your time and consideration <br /> Rod Quartararo <br /> Kailua Kona <br />