HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.080 2022-2024 From: Madeleine Loewen
Sent: Sunday,January 21, 2024 4:29 PM
To: Council Testimony .
Subject: Bill 121
k'NJ
Aloha, �L;
I'd like to make my feelings felt regarding the upcoming Bill 121 with legislation against hosted` r r
vacation rentals
As the whole island struggles with the rising costs of living in paradise, operating a hosted Airbnb allows
many people to afford to live here. It allows families to supplement their income so they can spend more
time with Ohana and less time working a job that takes them away from friends and family. I implore you
to reconsider making these vacation rentals obsolete on the island.
So many tourists come to this island and rave about the experience of staying with local residents and
getting to enjoy a different view of the island than being in a resort or hotel. I just don't see how we can
provide the unique experiences that today's tourists crave when we reduce the variety of
accommodations available to them.
Many farmers on the island are struggling to continue to produce quality fruit in light of the many pests
that plague our island.The Department of Agriculture is frequently unable to help prevent any of these
issues, thus requiring masses or work for farmers to rid themselves of pests long after they've taken over.
Being able to operate a vacation rental on their farm gives them the additional income required to keep
up with the ever increasing infestations of diverse pests that bother them. Local farms are also,a HUGE
hit with tourists coming from the mainland who have never seen the way a banana tree grows or tasted a
freshly picked pineapple. Imagine their delight in being able to stay on a farm while they're here.
Lastly I'd like to bring up Merrie Monarch.This huge event requires every spare space on our island to be
booked in order to accommodate all the visitors. How can the Hilo side possibly host all the people who
come for this event if hosted vacation rentals are rendered obsolete.
In today's current economy I don't understand why it could possibly benefit our island to reduce the
options available to our visitors.Additionally I don't understand why you would support legislation to
make it harder for our local families to afford to stay here.
Thank you for hearing my opinions,
Many thanks Madeleine Loewen
Comm. No (a Ao)
Ref. To: 1R O
Ref. Dote JAN 2 3 2024
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