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housing from slipping into other uses that are not providing homes for our residents, and we <br /> need to keep the market in check." (PLEASE take the time to watch this short 6 minute video <br /> that very clearly explains how deeply flawed Ms. Kimball's reasoning for this bill are. The <br /> numbers just do not add up. This video was created by a local Big Island Realtor explaining <br /> how iit is impossible for local residents to affordably purchase these STVR properties, as Ms. <br /> Kimball misguidedly believes. It also breaks down Bill 121 in very unbiased and easily <br /> understandable way) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMllbd4Xwul <br /> Kimball, practically shouting at that point, presented data from the City and County of <br /> Honolulu showing that even though ONLY 2.5% OF THE HOUSING IS USED FOR <br /> TRANSIENT ACCOMODATIONS overall housing prices have increased by 5%. Through this, <br /> she said, it is clear that allowing the free proliferation of short-term rentals creates an <br /> inflationary pressure on the housing market that drives up prices and forces lower-income <br /> residents out of state. According to Kimball's data: 97.5% of ALL HOUSING IS AVAILABLE for <br /> Hawaii Residents. <br /> (The conclusions drawn in this bill reveal a negligent lack of qualifications and proper <br /> credentialing by the author of this Bill 121, however good her intentions may be. Bill <br /> 121 has been drafted without conducting a single economic impact study or market <br /> analysis to determine what the short term or long term effects will be on our Big Island <br /> community.) <br /> "Nothing she says can be taken at any kind of—she says whatever she needs to say to <br /> do what she needs to do," said Mark Sidmore. Volcano resident Brian Daniels accused the <br /> measure of being a short-sighted lobbying effort by the hotel industry, but predicted that it will <br /> only reduce the number of visitors to the Big Island overall once it forces TARs to close <br /> and would-be tourists decide hotel rooms are too expensive.West Hawaii TAR owner <br /> Martina Wing called the bill "gaslighting," saying she initially believed in the good <br /> intentions of Kimball and the County Council as it was being drafted, but could only <br /> watch as they moved the bill forward despite outcry from residents. <br /> Kimball said. "And I want to ask folks, if you've got an issue with these fees: Do you <br /> plan on actually violating the law?" (it is essential to understand "that violating the <br /> law" according to Bill 121 is: a car parked in the wrong spot, or laughing too loud in a <br /> jacuzzi at 8:30 pm, or having a guest not declare their 3 year old child in the reservation <br /> occupancy, or having a sign 2" too tall, - these are not VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW, these <br /> are humans living life IN FEAR of a government fining them $10,000 a DAY if they make a <br /> mistake) <br /> Kimball concluded by saying that the fees outlined by the bill are necessary to <br /> subsidize the county's ability to enforce the standards established by Bill 108, (which <br /> governs STVR's and TARs) (The unconstitutional practice of enforcing fines exclusively <br /> to finance regulatory agencies is a direct conflict of interest that violates the basic <br />