2024-04-16 Bill 121 Scott Wiles - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

•Bill 121 Letter Tool To: LPCtestimony hawaiicounty_gov Subject: Urgent Plea for Reconsideration of Bill 121 Impacts on Elderly Livelihoods Chairperson Barbara Defranco Leeward Planning Commission County of Hawai'i 25 Aupuni St. Unit 1502 Hilo, HI 96720 Aloha Chairperson Lin & Commission Members, My name is Scott Wiles, and I am writing to express my strong opposition to Bill 121. My wife and I are deeply concerned about the impact this bill will have on my mother, June Wiles, who is nearing 92 years old. She operates a short-term vacation rental on our property, which is crucial for her financial independence and well-being. The income generated from this rental is vital for my mother to afford necessary assistance, allowing her to continue living in her home. Without this income, she would struggle to survive on her social security check alone, potentially becoming a burden to the State and County of Hawaii. This situation not only affects our family but also contributes to the local economy by employing a cleaning lady and a maintenance person, ensuring the rental remains in top condition for guests. Additionally, my mother pays nearly 19% in taxes to the State and County of Hawai'i on the income generated, highlighting her contribution to our local government's revenue. Given these circumstances, we urge the Planning Commission to consider the following recommendations: 1. Conduct an affordable housing study to fully understand the impact of Bill 121 on families like ours who rely on short-term rentals for supplementary income. 2. Recommend the removal of restrictions about where hosts live and where guests stay, as long as the owner is in the same building, on the same parcel, or on an adjacent parcel. 3. Recommend streamlining the registration process and eliminating invasive requirements that pose unnecessary burdens on homeowners. These measures will help ensure that families like mine can continue to support our loved ones without undue hardship or reliance on state resources. We appreciate your consideration of our situation and the broader implications of Bill 121 on the community. Mahalo for your time and understanding. Me ka mahalo nui, Scott Wiles 16-1569 Uhini Ana Rd Mt View, HI 96771808-968-7531 Clear chat