HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.363 2022-2024Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Monday, July 8, 2024 7:49 AM
Michael Tivana
Council Testimony
RE; Please VOTE NO on bills 121, 122,123
Est
From: Michael Tivana
Sent: Monday, July 8, 2024 7:35 AM
Subject: Please VOTE NO on bills 121, 122,123
Please VOTE NO on bills 121, 122,123
Bill 121— Transient accommodations makes all visitors Transients with new definitions
All visitors would be called Transients which in my opinion is a derogatory term. It is insulting to the purpose
of what a WOOFer means. 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 B&Bs
Repealing the permits for B&Bs 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 COLA only makes it worse. This bill is biased to the wealthy. The
solutions are several but limiting B&Bs 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 B&Bs, farmers, and retreats takes away the types of customers that account for a fourth of the local farm
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economy at the buy local farmers markets. Ag Tourism and shoppers satisfies the need of the farmers and the
middle class to supplement their income and to exist financially. This bill 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.
Sincerely,
Michael Johnson
Voter in District 1