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4/15/2024 <br /> Testimony from Jaclyn MacKinnon and Stephen Erb, Ahualoa HI <br /> A brief introduction to us: we are residents of the Big Island, living in Ahualoa and we own one <br /> vacation rental in Waikoloa, as well as a long term rental in Hakalau. We farm both the Ahualoa <br /> and Hakalau properties, and our Waikoloa property helps us get out of the rain when it's not <br /> rented. <br /> First, I must be clear that I only bring up our involvement as owners of a Short Term Vacation <br /> Rental is to establish understanding of the process currently in place. I would like to also <br /> establish that we have never been fined or sanctioned for mismanagement or any form of <br /> mis-step. This is not a testimony to state how hurt our income would be if we were to lose our <br /> vacation rental; that's been covered by others in their testimonies. While it's a valid point, there's <br /> more to be said. <br /> I want to focus on visitor experience. A stay in a hotel is generic. Vacation rentals are unique. <br /> The personal touch many owners add to their units makes guests feel special, welcome, <br /> included here when they visit. We don't send a "Leave your money and go" vibe that many <br /> hotels and attractions do; we want to say "We take pride in our unit and care about the quality of <br /> your stay, we hope you enjoy it." We want everything to be perfect, not because of a company <br /> policy or for reviews, but because we actually care. I firmly believe this is the sentiment of the <br /> majority of vacation rental owners and to place additional obstacles in our way of running a <br /> good business is both unnecessary and depriving to the tourism industry, as well as to the <br /> county and state in the form of the taxes they receive from us. <br /> We would do well not to forget that tourism is our number one industry here in Hawaii. We can't <br /> deny that and should not resent it. We should be striving to improve visitor experience in an <br /> organic way; showing a side of what's real here, to help dispel the unintended ignorance that <br /> many travelers accidentally arrive with, and unfortunately, leave with, thanks to large resorts that <br /> make it possible to to spend a week without leaving the property. Should we not be trying to <br /> increase understanding of island culture and awareness of what Hawaii is actually like? If so, we <br /> need to be getting visitors out of the resorts. <br /> A vacation rental almost always provides visitors a full kitchen. Eating out every meal is <br /> prohibitive and has become even more expensive due to inflation. Try feeding a family three <br /> meals a day in Kona or Waikoloa areas. Hotel rooms have also become costly to the point of <br /> prohibitive; don't even try to get yourself a suite with a kitchenette if you're on any sort of <br /> budget, might as well buy every meal out. Attacking vacation rentals and making it harder to <br /> operate/comply/stay in business only prices more good visitors out of the Hawaii vacation they <br /> want. They still spend money when they stay in vacation rentals. Let's not make it so it's out of <br /> reach. <br />