HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.515 2022-2024P 6 PC, PcJO
bill 121
To Members of the County Council, September 27, 2024
I want to start with thanking you all for your service to us and our community. I'm writing this
on behalf of my family, our employees and local business we support, in opposition of several
portions of Bill 121. Primarily I am requesting the county wait for the results of the economic
impact study. This bill, combined with the Rosehill decision, is an effective ban on vacation
rentals on Ag zoning which is where our property is located. We specifically purchased in this
area to be able to have more freedom on our land and our property.
I moved to the island 20 years ago as an African American woman because I fell in love with
the island and the reputation of the islands being more welcoming to those of mixed race. Our
5 children were born and raised on the island. My father-in-law, my husband and his brothers
were high school football coaches and we were very involved in our community. We have both
long term rentals and one short term rental and several amazing local people who work with us
to keep them in operation. During COVID, like many other people, my husband lost his job in
the hospitality industry due to heavy restrictions placed on the island. Our boys, high school
football players, were also just short of being forced to get the "MRNA jab" (despite health
conditions that prevent us from doing so) in order to play the sport they loved. We had to
make a hard decision, and despite our plan to never leave the island, our home, friends and
family ... we were forced to move to the mainland with just one week notice. We knew we
would do everything to keep our forever home, the one we worked so hard for, that we all put
in sweat equity to remodel. Financially it didn't make sense for us to rent it long term, however,
we didn't want to sell it. That is when we decided to short term rent it. Our tenants who live on
property next door, a local family who have lived there since we purchased it, agreed to be our
on site hosts and property managers. They were able to stay in their home at an affordable
price and we were able to supplement their income in a declining economy.
We have put in a lot of work to create a nice place for visitors to stay. We have had zero issues
with guest and no complaints. We do not allow large gatherings and ensure we properly vet
who will be staying in our home. We live in an agricultural zone and chose this when we
purchased it to have sustainability. Sustainability with farming, chickens, and also the space to
potentially rent in the future. We employ 9 people to help support their families at this property,
as well as providing affordable long term housing for 12 people. We pay all GE, TA, NCTAT, non
homeowner exclusion nor cap property taxes, and income taxes ... for a total of 38% to the
County and State. Our insurance has increased significantly to cover the cost of short term
rentals and kept it with a local insurance company. We are making just enough to cover the
bills and help us provide a living for our family and supplement several others on island. We
have gone through the process to make our home ADA compliant and accessible. We, like
other hosts, direct many of our guests to several local restaurants and businesses on the
island. We strongly encourage our guests to participate in several agritourism activities that
support the recent state initiative to promote this.
Being able to have the freedom to short term rent our home has allowed us to temporarily
provide education to our kids while allowing them to play the sport they have played since they
were children. It has allowed my husband to secure a job so he can provide for our large family,
and keep the cost of living affordable. Our long term plan was to move back to our home, on
the Big Island, once our older children are off to college and we are back on our feet.
According to the most recent bill, we would be grandfathered in, however are concerned with
the County's ability to not renew under extremely vague circumstances referenced in the bill
(i.e. "pertinent violation of the law"). We are also concerned with all the additional costly and
timely permitting and registration requirements. The other issue with under the current bill, we
cannot have the option to move back and live in our guest house while continuing to short term
rent the other on the same property.
Due to all the aforementioned reasons, if this bill passes as is, we feel it would be best to sell
the property. We will not long term rent it due to the expenses versus rental income and lax
landlord rental protections. We would no longer be paying the taxes to the County and State.
VVewould list it, more than likely itwill sell for cash tosomeone onthe mainland orAsia, thus
further increasing the cost of housing (and requirement for cash offers inthe state).We would
have t0terminate our long term lease with our on -site hosts who have lived there for the past 8
years 8Swell 8stheir employment. VV8would then b8forced tOsell our other long term
properties or have to increase our rent to be able to afford to keep them to supplement the loss
Ofshort term rental income. VVewould have tOterminate our 9employees and nolonger direct
guests tolocal businesses. The worst part ofthis ioour family, 5kids born and raised on
im|ond, would probably never return ƒothe island amm/awould be priced out of Hawaii like many
others before us.
| understand you are hearing |oƒm of testimonies and received several similar letters. Our family
iSjust one story tDyou. But this iSour life and livelihood. VV8left Hawaii and tried our best t0
bring the feeling of Aloha and Ohana to those we are in contact with on the mainland. They
call us the Hawaii refugees in our town, knowing that someday our plan is to return. How sad
that the message that imgiven tothe world iathat the State ofHawaii pushes hardworking
families and businesses out with unnecessary and ineffective regulations. | understand you
have some valid reasons and intentions for this bill, | just feel itneeds some more thorough
research and alignment, including listening to those impacted, to ensure it is the best for the
county and all ofthe local community.
Thank you for your time and taking our family, and families we support on island, into
consideration.
Si
Anonymous
Kona