HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.014 2022-2024 Sent: Monday,January 22, 2024 4:09 PM
To: Jodi Bearden
Cc: Council Testimony
Subject: RE:Testimony- Bill 121,TAR Code Amendment
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From:Jodi Bearden
Sent: Monday,January 22, 2024 4:08 PM
Subject:Testimony-Bill 121,TAR Code Amendment
Thank you for your attention,
I would like to have my testimony regarding the proposed TAR code amendments added to the
record.
Statement:
I live in the small community of Volcano, which has no resort zoning and is under-served by hotels
and resorts. Our community has no capability of supporting the potentially million or more visitors to
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park each year without the support of privately owned short-term vacation
rentals.
Transient accommodations is a huge part of the local economic stability. Our community and its
people rely upon income from their properties in order to shoulder the high cost of living on an island
that has few other economic opportunities. This bill will put thousands of people out of business and
cause economic upheaval on this island. It is not wealthy, the non-residents who will be harmed by
the changes this bill proposes, the wealthy do not need to rent out their homes for income. It is the
working, local people of this island who will be harmed.
Our island does have a housing problem. To solve the housing problem a study of the causes should
first be conducted and a clear and reasonable community supported plan should be dra ed.n I i not
Comm. `
1 Ref.To: 14 �12t,‘7,r�
Ref. Date JAN 2 3 2024
constructive to implement economically damaging legislation before we have even outlined a
plan. Shutting down a primary income source for island residents is not the answer.
The only group this legislation truly appears to benefit is the non-resident corporations that control
the hotels and resorts. This bill will not benefit the local people of Hawaii island and will have far
reaching impact.
I do not own or operate a vacation rental. I am simply a concerned citizen of Hawaii Island and I
stand opposed to Bill 121.
Jodi Bearden
Hawaii County Resident
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