HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.419 2022-2024From: Na1hanEogen
Sent: Monday, August 19'2O24Q:S8AK4
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony regarding Bill 121/TARfor Aug 2Oth2O24Meeting
Aloha Council Members,
|8nnsharing rnytestimony against Bill 121/TAR. |donot support Bill. 121 for the following reoonris'
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First, this bii\miiimake the majority ofhoatedTARainthearnoiitnvvnaondrunaianaaarnontk/iUeroLTha
majority of the hosted vacation rentals in these small. town areas are in 4g zoning and they coubj
theoreticalLy apply for anon conforming use (NUC) certificate. However, because ofhow draconian and
overregutated this bitt is they will not meet the NUC restrictions and thus be forced to close their
businesses.
Ag zoning makes up about 48% of Hawaii island. The impact of effectively ending the majorityufhoated
TARoinAg zones is that the visitor economy in the smatter towns in Hawaii County will collapse leading
to further tax revenue clectine for the county and job toss at restaurants, stores, arts & culture venues,
anclother activity venues as those businesses shrink or ctose due to Less visitors. Lookattovvnain
districts such aaHmrnakuo'Puna, North Knhoia,or Keu-theatoreainthonei000tionoanoprirnorih/viaitor
supported. Hawaii County's small. towns were hurting badly for decades after the end of sugar
production. The visitor economy is what sustains the business core of each of these smatt towns.
Second, the TAR regulation as written witl. have a negative revenue impact for Hawaii County by leading
to the loss of revenue for hundreds of resident owned and occupied vacation rentals. Those owners pay
millions of dottars of HCTAT and higher property tax revenue to Hawaii County every year.
Third, the bit[ as written appears to have many legal issues that will almost certainly result in costly
litigation for the County of Hawai'i spending taxpayer money for years. The County of Hawai'i could aLso
be liable for costs from constitutional. takings of individual property rights through this regulation. The
18Oday minimum rental. term iengthrestriction has oireadvbeen blocked bvufederal. injunction ond
Hawaii County appears to be bLindly watking into that same mistake.
Fouth' justhaatrnonththeCounoiioornrnhtedtonneconornioirnpactetudvbofnnapensingthiebiK.Novv
the Council is moving towards passage without the economic impact study being carried out.
In closing, hosted vacation rental operators are not villains; they are actuattyyour constituents who live
and work on Hawai'i Island. You are putting many of them out of business & at the same time hurting
small. town economies with these actions.
Mmh8b3,
No1honEggan
Kohaia
OVA