HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.538 2022-2024Testimony against Bill l21
Robert Golden
13-873 Malanm3 Street
..
'A'ohe hana nui ke alu 'ia. No task is too big when done together by all.
I and my partner have Lived in LeiLani Estates since August 2013. We operate two AirBnbs,
one hosted and one unhosted on our adjoining property. As AirBnB superhosts, our
mission iGk}provide our guests, mostly tourists from mainland USA and around the world
with BLived experience OfAloha. The Island OfHawaii isour home and we, Like other Ai[BO13
hosts, love the communities in which we Live and want our County government to support
us in our efforts as we support them in promoting thriving communities on this island. As
hosts, we provide opportunities for tourists to use Local, services at the same time educate
tourists how to experience Hawaiian culture and places in a most respectful, pono manner.
And since opening our hosted n8nt@iiO3O14 and our unhO8t8drental. in2O10,our business
has served @8Gsource Oftax revenue for the County. A8hosts, this i8our KUi8@D8.
VV8take words like Aloha, KuiH@D@'and [}h8n3seriously. These are lived ideas, not cliches.
And we would Like to be treated with the same respect by our County government. Reading
BiLL 121 left us wondering whether the County views short-term vacation rentals hosts as
Ohana. We are not disputing the need to regulate this industry, but there are aspects of the
biKthat vv8b8U8V8are overreaching:
w If the owner of the property chooses to Live in the guest house and uses the main
house 8S8[8Dt8|,why iSthat diG8K0vved?Shouldn't @ property owner bgable tO
make that decision?
w Why can't a host who owns a farm, use a farm dweLLing for a hosted rentaL. Why is
the County curtailing the Landowner from creating another income stream?
~ Most tourists who choose short-term vacation rentals are seeking an
unconventional, non -hotel, indigenous experience that is close to the land. Yet,
such places would necessitate a nonconfirming use certificate secured prior to Jan
1'2O24.New nVnCOnfiFrninguse certificates are prohibited unless the Director Of
Pi@OOiDg sees the need. Given the toss Ofhundreds 0fvacation rental. inPuna due tO
* The fee structure has been doubled from the past. Is this fee structure similar to
and in proportion to the fee structure of other industries and services that the
County regulates? Furthermore, what sensitivity exists to current hosts in lava zone
1 and 2 who have Lost their insurance?
• Why are site drawings necessary if permitted structures are already documented in
terms of their footprint and Layout on county tax records. The other specifications
that are requested could be added to those maps and submitted to the county.
w Why add the phrase "under penalty of perjury" to the requirement of a notarized
affidavit. Where's the trust?
0 Quiet hours in Hawaii begins at 10pm. And yet for short-term vacation rentals, quiet
time begins at 8pm. Where's the equity?
0 Signage for street address must include registration number. Why? Is this
We hope this opportunity to revise the short-term vacation rental code will be conducted
|O8manner that acknowledges the role that hosts play increating athriving, sustainable,
economy and 81the same time supporting the distinctive Hawaiian values 0fAloha,
KuLeana and Ohana. Thousands of visitors come to Hawaii to experience these qualities
and to enrich their way of life. As my Hawaiian kumus, Aunty Mahealani and Uncle Harry
Jim, often told me, Hawaii has a sacred purpose to spread Aloha around the world. Let us
work together so both the County and hosts experience each other as partners in this
endeavor. 'A'ohehananuikea|u'ia. Nntask istoo big when done together byall.