HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.451 2022-2024VISITOR DESTINATIONS?
The county is proposing to designate certain areas of our island "Visitor Destinations". Since
all but the resort areas were designated as "non -conforming", and are awaiting a hefty increase
of an additional $500 in yearly payments to the county by owners, the county is proposing to
designate additional areas as "Visitor Destinations", thereby making them "conforming"?
From what I have learned, visitors prefer vacation rentals on the ocean, so all oceanfront roads
should be designated as "Visitor Destinations". However, the county only chose certain mostly
high-priced areas: Paradise Ala Kai, Puako, and gated Kona Bay Estates. There are several
other ocean front roads with numerous vacation rentals, that charge visitors less per night, but
that would reduce the taxes paid by visitors. So, therefore the owners of those vacation rentals
that are still considered non -conforming, still have to pay an extra $500 per year. The other
"Vacation Destinations" are Volcano, which has been a true vacation destination for a long
time, and all of Kehena, could it be the nude, hard to climb down to, dangerous black sand
beach? This does not seem to be fair and treats wealthier people preferentially!
Magdalene Phillips
To the Committee:
STRs are the visitor destinations for many Hawaii visitors, especially families with children.
When the ad for a hotel stay for kama'aina quotes $225 per night, it is clear that choosing an
STVR for their Hawaii Island stay is much more affordable and comfortable for a family of 4.
They can get not only bedrooms with bathrooms, but a full kitchen, living room, dining area and
outside lanai for the fullest enjoyment of their vacation. Most visitors prefer an ocean front or
almost ocean front home. It brings them closer to the ocean than any hotel does. Therefore
your committee should be designating ALL oceanfront roads as Vacation Destinations, not just
a few high-priced areas, like Kona Bay Estates and Puako. And why only Kehena and Paradise
ala Kai on the east side? I feel this is unfair to all other vacation rental owners of oceanfront
roads. Why should they pay the huge extra nonconforming fees, when they offer a reasonable
alternative to the high-priced hotels and are located in areas families can really enjoy. And
please, no more tales of loud parties! A vast majority of them occur when people from OUR
island rent an STVR.
So please consider naming all Hawaii Island oceanfront roads "Vacation Destinations", and
leave the fees for so-called non -conforming STVRs as they are now!
Mahalo,
Magdalene Phillips
(808)437-0404
makalena47@gmail.com
15-2717 Welea St., Pahoa, HI 96778