HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.521 2022-2024From: E Lehmann
Sent: Monday, September 30, 2024 5:44 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov
Chairperson Heather Kimball
Hawaii County Council
County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Z-1
-d
Aloha Chairperson Kimball,
I am writing to express my concerns about Bill 121. I believe we should wait for the outcome of the
economic impact study before moving forward with this bill. The recent Supreme Court decision
has made all vacation rental operations on agricultural zoning illegal_ This means that the Planning
Department will not be able to issue pen -nits, effectively banning hosted vacation rentals on
agricultural land. This puts the livelihood of thousands of families in jeopardy. We pay GET, TAT,
and HCTAT for all rental income. Why are we being penalized for those that are not being honest?
It also generates a huge amount of income for the state and county.
The west side of Big Island is incredible rocky and we do not take the Agricultural exemption on
our land due to an inability to farm or produce enough produce. Many on this side of the island
have the same experience. Much of Kona region is designated Ag land but is full of neighborhoods
and houses.
In addition, many of us have extra bedrooms or a property that we use for family when they come
to visit. They cannot be rented out long term when family comes regularly or for extended visits,
but we can rent it out to help support our family and keep up with the rising cost of living in
Hawaii.
Cc
Pee. To.
4. Date
There continue to be no compelling reasons for this legislation. The County Council has yet to
identify a significant number of complaints or adverse impacts to neighborhoods from hosted
rentals, where the owner lives on the building site.
ease consider waiting for the study results before making any decisions on Bill 121.
Mahalo,
Josh Cameron