HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.033 2022-2024 COUNTY COUNT Y' CLFyniir
COUNTY OF WAWA
Dear Members of the Hawaii County Council, 201 Jib 22 PM 12:
25
I write to you not just on my own behalf, but as a representative of 36 concerned
residents and homeowners in Hawaii County, extending my sincere appreciation
for your ongoing service and commitment to our community. Your task of
balancing the diverse needs of our county is a complex one, and I recognize the
challenges that come with it.
However, I must voice my strong opposition to the proposed Bill 121. As someone
whose livelihood heavily depends on hosting rentals, this bill presents a critical
concern. I am compelled to ask, "How am I supposed to maintain my livelihood if
this bill passes?" Despite the council's intentions, have we fully considered the
implications of potentially losing thousands of jobs and the severe impact on both
revenue and the livelihood of residents like me and those I represent?
The intent of Bill 121, to regulate transient accommodations, seems to
overshadow the crucial economic and community role these rentals play. The bill's
complexity and implications are vast, threatening our private property rights and
hindering our freedom to use our homes as we see fit.
The proposal to extend the minimum duration for short-term rentals from 30 to
180 days is legally questionable and economically harmful. This shift would
unjustly strip many homeowners of their usage rights, impacting the value and
utility of their properties significantly. Moreover, the selective exemptions within
the bill create a discriminatory framework, failing to address the comprehensive
spectrum of housing needs.
My concern deepens regarding housing security. The assumption that properties
currently used for transient accommodation will seamlessly transition to long-
term or affordable housing is speculative and overlooks the inherent risks and
lower returns of long-term rentals. The bill's stringent fines, fees, and application
processes unfairly burden lower-income residents and small-scale operators,
including numerous 'mom and pop' setups.
A few weeks ago, I sat before you as a member of the Real Property Tax Board of
Review. In that meeting, we discussed the near impossibility of hiring additional
staff, emphasizing that firefighters and police officers take precedence. This
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context makes me question the feasibility of enforcing Bill 121. If we already face
challenges in enforcing current regulations due to staffing constraints, how can we
expect to effectively manage even more stringent regulations?
The lack of enforcement of current regulations is a significant issue that needs
addressing.The County has an obligation to pursue and terminate illegal transient
rental operations and enforce existing regulations equitably. Implementing new
regulations without effectively enforcing existing ones will not solve the
underlying issues.
In conclusion, I urge the Council to stop this proposed legislation. Our focus
should be on collaborative efforts to address the housing sector's challenges
without penalizing homeowners and small business operators who significantly
contribute to our community.
Thank you for considering my perspective. I remain committed to a constructive
dialogue and to finding solutions that benefit all residents of Hawaii County.
Mahalo,
Jaso• -isert