HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.450 2022-2024From: Anna Ruth Peiffer
Sent: Monday, August 19,2024 10:35 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Opposition to Bill 121 - Please Wait for Economic Impact StudV to Be Com plei�
ohoChairperson KJrDboii
I am writing with concerns about Bill 121 and its potentiat negative impacts on our Kohata community
and economy. This bill would immediately make it illegal for anyone renting unhosted for 30 to 180 days,
similar to what happened in Honolutu - leading to expensive legat battles that counties are likely to lose.
While my family business in Kapaau is a hosted rental - I know many tocat residents with STRs who woutd
be immediately impacted and tose critical funds that they rely on to make ends meet. Not tomention
that the tocat retail businesses, service providers and restaurants in our rural area would be severely hurt
by a ioam offoot traffic.
Theatipub3dOnthath8VingDOUhbpieUOitoUStedonavvebSh8vvouidbet[e8t8daae"pb]th]rOl"@Dd
subject to onerous monthly reporting requirements and $1 Ok per day fines is quite frankLy inexplicable
and excessive. I don't understand why you would make it HARDER for family businesses like mine to
operate. It's folks tike us that are supporting the economy and enriching our neighborhoods.
Finally, there have been no competting reasons presented for this legislation. The County Council, has
not been able to produce a significant number of comptaints or adverse impacts from hosted rentals.
Therefore, it leaves smatt businesses like us (and alt the local people who work for us) feetingvery
slighted and dismissed byour government.
We rely on so many people to operate - from cleaners to landscapers to artists to carpenters to
handymen - and they are all afraid of Losing income because of Bill 121. I'm confident the economic
study wit[ i[Luminate you to the tremendous financial benefits that short-term and hosted rentals have on
8 rural region like H8VVai'i County.
My husband and I urge the councit to put the brakes on and wait for the outcome of the economic impact
study before proceeding with Bit[ 121. It is only prudent to make decisions with a full set of information
and data.
O@Ruth P8iffS[
V!,,zA I e AUAI _92024