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From: Son Stewart <br /> To: LPCtestimony <br /> Subject: Request for Consideration: Impact of Bill 121 on Hardworking Residents <br /> Date: Monday,April 15,2024 3:27:06 PM <br /> Aloha Chairperson Lin & Commission Members, <br /> I am writing to you today as a hardworking resident of the Big Island,where the <br /> cost of living is notably high. Bill 121, as it stands, threatens my ability to maintain <br /> a stable financial situation. This letter is a plea for the commission to reconsider <br /> aspects of the bill that disproportionately affect individuals like myself,who rely <br /> on short-term rentals as a secondary source of income. <br /> The requirement for property owners to navigate complex registration processes, <br /> including the provision of dimensioned drawings and the disclosure of private <br /> home details, is not only invasive but also burdensome. It places an undue strain <br /> on homeowners who are already stretched thin by the demands of their primary <br /> occupations and the high cost of living in Hawai'i. <br /> Moreover,the bill's restrictions on where hosts and guests can reside relative to <br /> each other are overly restrictive. For those of us who live on the same property as <br /> our rental units, dictating where we can and cannot sleep within our own homes is <br /> an overreach that infringes on our rights as property owners. <br /> I respectfully request that the Planning Commission consider the following <br /> recommendations to make Bill 121 more equitable for all residents of Hawai'i <br /> County: <br /> Streamline the registration process for short-term rentals and eliminate invasive <br /> requirements. <br /> Remove restrictions about where hosts live and where guests stay, as long as the <br /> owner is in the same building, on the same parcel, or on an adjacent parcel. <br /> Conduct an economic impact study to fully understand the implications of this bill <br /> on homeowners who depend on short-term rentals for supplementary income. <br /> These changes would not only alleviate the burden on homeowners like myself but <br /> also ensure that the spirit of aloha and the welcoming nature of our island <br /> community are preserved. <br /> Thank you for considering my perspective on this matter. I believe that with <br /> thoughtful amendments, Bill 121 can better serve the interests of all Hawai'i <br /> County residents. <br /> Mahalo nui loa, <br /> Stewart Nava <br /> Kailua- Kona <br />