HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.526 2022-2024Dill I21
From: David Shaw
Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2024 9:09 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Comments regarding Bill 121
To: Hawaii County Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use & Development Meeting, Wednesday, October 2;.pt 9 am,
Hilo Council Chambers Hawaii County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, First Floor, Room 1401, Hilo, HI 96728
Dear Committee Members:
I am writing regarding Bill 121 and its potential dire impacts on people who rely on income from Short-term Rentals on
Ag zoned lands.
We are longtime homeowners and residents in Lower Puna, an area still in recovery from the devastating effects of the
eruption in 2018-2019, which destroyed over 700 homes in Kapoho Vacationland - many of which were short term
vacation rentals. Please keep in mind the continuing hardship these people suffered who lost their homes and related
income from vacation rentals due to the eruption. Where are tourists and visitors now supposed to stay who previously
rented in Kapoho?
Puna is the fastest growing area in the entire State of Hawaii, where many hosted vacation rentals are operated on Ag
zoned land. And, there are thousands of visitors to Hawaii who want to visit Puna but cannot afford to stay at a resort,
hotel or high -end vacation rental. Rentals on Ag zoned land fill an important niche in this regard and provide an
alternative for people to have a more rural experience. How are people going to learn about tropical agriculture in
Hawaii, if they cannot stay near or on Ag zoned land? How are people who live on Ag zoned property going to afford to
continue this lifestyle if they cannot host vacation rentals on their property? And, it is not just the property owners who
will be impacted, but also the people who help to manage, clean and maintain these properties - the people who
provide services such as gardening and yard care, maid service, plumbers, painters, carpenters, and more.
The Puna -based communities of Pahoa, Mountain View, Kurtistown, Glenwood, Volcano, Kea'au, and the major
developments of Ainaloa, Orchidland, Hawaiian Acres, Nanawale, Eden Roc, Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaiian Shores,
Hawaiian Paradise Park and many others have friends and families who want to come visit the area. Where are they to
stay when visiting Puna and our major attraction - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park? There are no resorts and only a few
hotels in these areas! Hotels in Hilo have rates over $200/night, and rates for rooms on Kona side are much higher.
Kama'aina rates at luxury resorts such as Kona Village are nearly $1K/night. That's way too high for our folks in Puna! Yet,
the average nightly rental on Ag zoned vacation rental properties is much more affordable, ranging well below
$200/night.
When combined with the Rosehill decision, Bill 121 is an effective ban on vacation rentals in Ag zoning. That means that
Bill 121 is terrible for thousands of families in Puna who depend upon visitor income to make ends meet.
It is already hard enough to earn income and find employment in rural Hawaii without further restrictions such as Bill
121 that would eliminate vacation rentals on Ag zoned lands.
Please keep these matters in mind and await the study on economic impacts of Bill 121 before taking any action. People's
livelihoods are on the line.
Mahalo nui loa for your consideration. WJ
Comm. No.
Ref. To: VRML -
1 Ref. gate OCT - `>d
David Shaw and Clay Ide
Pahoa, HI
(808) 936-9883