HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.074 2022-2024 From: Ashley Welton Lake
Sent: Monday,January 22, 2024 8:50 AM g
To: Council Testimony c,__ '
Subject: Testimony on Bi11121 & Bill 122
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Aloha,
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This is my testimony for the Hawaii County Council meeting on January 23, 2024 relating to bij321.
Hosting a vacation rental is the reason I've been able to stay in my home town of Kona while so many
others have had to move.The bill you're proposing would cause unimaginable financial and economic
hardship to local families who are just trying to make ends meet in a state that is already so difficult to
eek out a living, not to mention eliminate a significant source of tax income for the state and county of
Hawaii.
Have you conducted a third party study on the economic impact of this bill?To families,to the county, to
the state? I haven't seen any evidence that you have. If 7.8%of housing is short term,that's a good chunk
of income that will no longer exist for families, county and state.
You want to make every rental equal but they're not.You want every rental to pass building code, but
many rentals aren't able to pass code, not because they're not safe, but because they're alternative and
imaginative and many, like historic coffee shacks, are part of the charm of our home towns.They're what
make country country.We are not a cookie cutter mainland suburb;we are Hawaii and we are unique.
Tourists seek out unique stays like tiny homes, domes, glamping,tree houses camping etc.This bill
would eliminate those rentals all together. Do you know what that is going to cost the economy? Have
you looked at the numbers?
Eliminating places to stay that people covet is short sighted and punitive.
Restricting what part of a person's property they can rent out is gross overreach.
What about the single mom who decides to live in the ohana and rent her whole house so that she can
afford childcare?
Or the couple that rents a tiny home on their property so they can pay their mortgage?
Or the family that puts food on the table and kids in school by renting out an ohana?
Or the aunty who doesn't want a full time tenant, but needs some extra income so she rents camping
spots on her agricultural land?
Have you really thought about what this bill will do to them—to us? Comm. N . In 1 , ILI'
Ref. To:PI
1 Ref. Date JAN 2 3 2024.
Why eliminate an entire class of rentals that people seek out? Many visitors want their own space, it's
why they don't stay in hotels.They want the ohana, not a room in a house.
You've said you don't want this bill to be overly punitive, but the way you've laid it out, it's a death
sentence to many peoples income and ability to remain in their homes.You're going to price local
families out of their homes, and then who comes? Not locals.They're gone.
We live in a tourist based economy.We didn't set that up. But you're punishing us for existing within the
confines of it.We deserve to work within an economy as more than hourly wage earners for mainland
companies.
We pay taxes,just shy of 18%of every single dollar that passes through our rentals. How do you plan to
replace that tax income? How do you plan to replace the income for the families who've lost it?
Who does this bill actually benefit besides the hotels? Because it's not the families, it's not the people,
and it's not the visitors.
The people lose a means to stay in their homes.The county loses a huge chunk of money.
You've mentioned the need for affordable housing.This is not that.You can open the way for new
construction on accessory dwelling units without eliminating this very real source of income for families
and the elements that attracts visitors as well.They're not mutually exclusive. Not everyone wants to
host a short term rental; it's a job, and one that you're trying to take away from us.
Bill 108 sought to create more affordable housing. 5 years later, how's that working out? It's not
accomplished that particular goal.This won't accomplish it either.
I urge you to strike this bill down, it's punitive and the far flung consequences of it have not been thought
out.
Testimony for Bill 122
Eliminating the bed and breakfast category is ridiculous.The only thing it serves to do is close the
"loophole" of allowing a person to live on property but not in the structure they're renting to guests.
You are tightening a noose around our necks and giving people no other option but to leave.
Thank you for your consideration.
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Aloha,
Ashley Lake
Kaloko Mauka resident.
Born and raised on Hawai'i island.
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