HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.205 2022-2024From: Hartley Phillips
Sent: Sunday, July 7, 2024 1:12 PM - -,
To: letters@hawaiitribune-heraid.com; Kierkiewicz, Ashley
Cc: Council Testimony
Subject: STVRs.....Good for the Big Island!
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After nearly unanimous opposition at previous hearings, Bills 121, 122, and 123 have again resurfaced, Thee bills should
be soundly defeated and a values -based (welcoming, self-sufficient, supportive, reasonably priced, safe are some values I
would propose) economic study conducted on how to best plan the future of the Big Island. The bills are anti -Big Island
economy by creating a complex, cumbersome, wrong-headed attempt to destroy a grass -roots, largely locally based,
vacation rental industry, while rewarding off -island corporate hotel owners and management companies.
Eliminating vacation rentals by over -regulating them will not solve our homeless problem. Most vacation rentals are
furnished and in fairly expensive areas and will not be changed to house the homeless. Repurposing vacant
hotels/houses/County and State lands (with purpose constructed infrastructure and adequate supportive social services)
is a much more effective approach than the effective takings proposed in these bills.
Expanding ecotourism and diversifying/expanding agricultural production, rather than limiting use of ag land for STVRs
can support our island's self-sufficiency and preserve the income of our farmers and ranchers.
When the County started regulating vacation rentals in 2019 after many had been destroyed by lava, they said they
would use the new fees to enforce the new rules over what they had now defined as "Illegal". They then failed to
enforce and the result is that now legal operators are being asked to pay even more now to fill the County coffers (while
the County is again failing to enforce against the few bad actors). These small local entrepreneurs offering guests
reasonable, enjoyable vacations are being harassed by the County while hotel operators are moving proceeds of their
expensive offerings off -island.
The County should concentrate on creating a positive, welcoming environment for vacationers, as well as their
constituents. Mahalol Hart Phillips
Comm,�5, 2V 5
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