HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0044.107 2020-2022 PC
6
Dear Council Members,
I am writing in opposition to approving Zendo Kern as the County of Hawaii's Planning Director. I have many concerns that Mr. Kern is more
interested in business development and property owners who do not live on island and use their homes as a profit making venture.
Our neighborhood in Kohala Ranch has been plagued by short term vacation rentals that bring in large, noisy groups who are determined to party
and not blend in with our neighborhood. During our board meeting on October 3, 2019,we had planned on discussing these STVR issues and how
to appropriately notify owners who were renting illegally. During this closed meeting, Mr. Kern signed in and used another owner's lot number. This
owner was not on island.
It was shortly after this meeting and the issues we raised, I received an email directly from Mr. Kern basically stating that property owners who live
off-island should be afforded the ability to continue to honor rentals that were clearly made after Bill 108 went into effect. Short Term Vacation
Rentals were never legal in Kohala Ranch as we are zoned agricultural. The only legal short term rentals within this type of zoning are B&Bs that
have obtained a certificate of operation.
When I spoke with our neighbor who was illegally renting their home,they stated that they were contacted by their real estate agent who told them
that the law was unfair and to hire Mr. Kern (a costly undertaking)to get resolution by contesting the ruling. I am further concerned that Mr. Kern
solicited all of these rental businesses to gain clients in Kohala Ranch. Of the 10 clients he acquired in the ranch, there were at least four different
vacation rental property managers so it may have been a coordinated effort to find these clients.
I want to acknowledge that Mr.Yee was a big help to our ranch residents who have been battling these issues as he was always available to listen
and work with us. I am not sure that Mr. Kern would have our best interested at heart.
Thank you for your time,
Lynn Krieger
Kamuela, HI 96143
Fri, Oct 25, 2019 at 3:07 PM
Aloha Lynn,
I hope his email finds you well, my name is Zendo Kern, I am assisting the xxxxxx with their property in Kohala Ranch.
I understand that you are concerned with the xxxxxx family fulfilling their remaining vacation rental obligations. I am hoping you can find some
understanding as the bookings were scheduled prior to the law change. It would be a very sad and unfortunate situation for those that have
scheduled their vacation months in advance to all of a sudden not have a place to stay. I am sure that neither of us would be very happy if that were
to happen to us. I think it's important to think about the innocent bystanders that will be affected,additionally it will not bode well for our island in
general as many local families rely on tourism for their income. Having ones accommodations pulled out from under them will lead to a negative
image of our beautiful island.2018 was hard as it was with the volcanic eruption and hurricane Lane,we really need some positive sentiment for our
island.
The xxxxxx are not booking short term vacation rentals for their property at this time,it's really a matter of fulfilling commitments that were made
some time ago. In the spirt of being good neighbors and trying to work with one another I am hoping you can find some compassion for this situation.
i would be happy to have a phone call with you to discuss this further.
Thank you in advance for considering the situation and hopefully being compassionate.
Comm. o. 4
Ref. To: VIVLJ
Ref, Dote �� 021
Mahulo.
Zco6oKou
rcwidom
Kwm&Associates
&�rc`pvuw:
Aloha Mr- Kern,
I am well,thank you for your concern. I need to let you know that xxxxxx and I have had this conversation about short term vacation rentals many
times and yet,the family had decided to continue to list their property as a short term vacation rental. From the beginning,short term rentals oyany
kind are not permitted in Kohala Ranch by STATE LAW and not the new short term rental law that was recently passed. Kohala Ranch is in State
bsndUse Agricultural district whose lots were created after June 4. 1S70
If they were given advice from their real estate agent when they purchased that these rentals are permitted,they should look iotake legal action
against the agent. You are representing quite a few homeowners in our ranch, and I am a bit distraught as to why you feel that the law should not
apply to these owners who do not live here and do not have an invested stake on our neighborhood.
When you live next door to a vacation rental, renting out 6 bedrooms with a pool on the property, let me know how you feel when multiple cars drive
into your cu|ddesac and open and close car doors, click alarms,shout toeach other and have large gatherings hythe pool. The noise carries into
our bedroom and throughout our house. It should not be my issue to'be a good neighbor'when there is no neighbor,just large groups here for a
short period uftime making quite abit ofnoise.
My thought is that their vacation rental management company who knew better than renting out this property short term,should find appropriate
uocnmmodahonsinalocation that allows such rentals. | had avacation rental at the Mauna Laniresort. There were rules and regulations mnwell an
common areas for the guests/ocongregate. The xxxxxx have a very large property that accommodates way too many guests and cars to make the
noise manageable.
Knha|aRanch|oaneighborhood, not aresort, itshould betreated ensuch.
Warm Regards,
Lynn
'
. `^ `