HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.355 2022-2024From:
chelleigh Hoots
Sent:
Sunday, July 7, 2024 7:29 AM
To:
Council Testimony
,
Subject:
OPPOSE BILLS 121, 122, 123
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OPPOSE BILLS 121, 122,
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These three bills will harm small farmers by constricting
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labor pool and their bottom line economy.
Bill 121 — Transient accommodations
This bill makes all visitors Transients with new definitions. All visitors would be called Transients
which in one farmer's opinion Is insulting to the definition of WOOFer. World Wide Opportunities on
Organic Farms brings in much needed labor for small farmers and helps keep our locally produced
food affordable and available. By placing restrictions on the labor pool harms the small farmers on our
island and forces many to lose their business. There are other compliance issues to be considered as
small farmers depend on the supplemental income that rentals bring in. There are loopholes but also
steep fines and extra fees to be in compliance.
Bill 122 — no more Bed and Breakfasts
We need more affordable housing built and prioritized, not limitations on how those who live here can
make a living. If you limit BNBs, please do it only for those who reside off island and do not
contribute to our community. Please support our local community.
Repealing the permits for Bed and Breakfasts is a wrong approach to an obvious problem —
affordable housing for locals. The problem is as a region grows the property values and property
taxes go up. The cost of affordable housing goes up as well. Raising the cost of living makes it
difficult to keep up and to live here. Bringing in more wealthy people that can afford the rising cost
only makes it worse. This bill is biased to the wealthy. The solutions are several but limiting bed and
breakfasts and STVRs is the worst solution. This solution has negative side effects and damages our
tourist dependent economy, especially Ag Tourism. Ag Tourism for workshops and visitors for bed
and breakfasts and retreats
takes away the types of customers that account for a fourth of the local farm economy at the buy
local farmers markets. Ag Tourism and shoppers satisfies the need of the farmers and the middle
class to exist financially. This bill along promotes poverty not affordability on our island.
Bill 123 — no more Ohana dwelling
Changing the word Ohana dwelling to Accessory dwelling must not pass. Ohana is a friendly word
that means trust and family closeness. But it does not mean responsibility for your Ohana or friends
when a crime is committed. An accessory is someone who aided or contributed to the commission or
concealment of a crime, such as renting in a manner of not being compliant with the stricter STVR
laws
Thank you for your consideration
comm. V
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Emily Gambino
Makawao, Hi 96768
Sent from my Phone