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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.423 2022-2024Testimony against Bill 121 Robert Golden l3-872W1a|arneStreet Pahoa,H196778 \A'ohe hana nui kea|u 'ie I and my partner have lived in Leilani Estates since August 2013. We operate two AirBnbs, one hosted and one unhosted on our adjoining property. As AirBnB superhosts, our mission is to provide our guests, mostly tourists from rnainiand USA and around the world with a lived experience of Aloha. The Island of Hawaii is our home and we, like other AirBnB hosts, love the communities in which we live and want our County government to support us in our efforts as we support them in promoting thriving communities on this island. As hosts, we provide opportunities for tourists to use local services at the same time educate tourists how to experience Hawaiian culture and places in a most respectful, pono manner. Andainceopeningourhoatedrentoiin2O14andourunhostedrantoiin2O16'uurbuainoam has served oaasource oftax revenue for the County. Aahosts, this ieour Kuieano. We take words tike Aloha, Kuleana, and Ohana seriously. These are lived ideas, not cliches. And we would like to be treated with the same respect by our County government. Reading Bill 121[eft uowondering whether the County views short-term vacation rantaiahosts ea Ohana. We are not disputing the need to regulate this industry, but there are aspects of the bill that vvebelieve are overreaching: ~ If the owner of the property chooses to tive in the guest house and uses the main house as a rental., why is that disallowed? ShouLdn't a property owner be able to make that decision? ~ Why can't a host who owns afarm, use afarm dvvaiUngfor ohosted rental. Why ia the County curtaiting the landowner from creating another income stream? ~ Most tourists who choose short-term vacation rentals are seeking an unconventional, non -hotel, indigenous experience that is close to the land. Yet, such places would necessitate a nonconfirming use certificate secured prior to Jan 1, 2024. New nonconfirrninguue certificates are prohibited unieaathe Director of Planning sees the need. Given the loss of hundreds of vacation rentat in Puna due to � The fee structure has been doubled from the past. Is this fee structure similar to and in proportion to the fee structure of other industries and services that the County regulates? Furthermore, what sensitivity exists to current hosts in lava zone 1 and 2 who have lost their insurance? • Why are site drawings necessary if permitted structures are already documented in terms of their footprint and layout on county tax records. The other specifications that are requested could be added to those maps and submitted to the county. • Why add the phrase "under penalty of perjury" to the requirement of a notarized affidavit. Where's the trust? 0 Quiet hours in Hawaii begins at 1 Opm. And yet for short-term vacation rentals, quiet time begins at 8pm. Where's the equity? 0 Signage for street address must include registration number. Why? Is this We hope this opportunity to revise the short-term vacation rental code will be conducted in o manner that acknowledges the role that hosts play in creating thriving, sustainable, economy and atthe same time supporting the distinctive Hawaiian values nfAloha, Kuleana and Ohana. Thousands of visitors come to Hawaii to experience these qualities and to enrich their way of life. As my Hawaiian kumus, Aunty Maheatani and Uncle Harry Jim, often told me, Hawaii has a sacred purpose to spread Aloha around the world. Let us work together so both the County and hosts experience each other as partners in this endeavor. 'A'oheh8nanuikealu'ia. Notask istoo big when done together byall.