HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.556 2022-2024From: Esther Lehmann
Sent: Monday, September 30, 2024 5:32 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Request to Pause Bill 121 for Economic Impact Study
Chairperson Heather Kimball.
Hawaii County Council.
County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Aloha Chairperson Kimball,
I am writing to express my concerns about Bitt 121. 1 believe we shoutd wait for the outcome
of the economic impact study before moving forward with this bill. The recent Supreme Court
decision has made att vacation rental operations on agricultural zoning illegal. This means
that the Planning Department will not be able to issue permits, effectively banning hosted
vacation rentals on agricultural Land. This puts the livelihood of thousands of families in
jeopardy. I am a resident of Hawaii that pays all of my taxes on my primary dwetting. Why am I
being penalized?
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 Palisades and Katoko is designated Ag Land but is
full of neighborhoods and houses.
In addition, many of us have extra bedrooms that we use for family when they come to visit. I
want my mom to come stay and I love that my kids can come home to visit. The bedroom
cannot be rented out longterm, but we can rent it out to help support our family in school
and keep up with rising cost of Living in Hawaii.
Comm. No. 1A
Ref, To:
-k P9 LUIV
Ref. Date-'aci --'2 2024
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.
Please consider waiting for the study results before making any decisions on Bill 121.
Esther Lehmann