HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.571 2022-2024From: Anna Ruth Peiffer �m
Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2024 4:56 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Opposition to Bill 121 - Wait for Economic Impact Study!
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Aloha Chairperson Kimball,
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| ornwriting to express nlyconcerns about 8ii\ 121 in advance of your next hearing onthe bill. (Oct 2\. BiU
121'e negative irnpactovvnuid not only have devastating consequences for family businesses Like mine,
but the overall economy of Havvoi'i County.
Our hosted rental is in Kapaau, and we are very involved in our beloved community. If other North
Kohata STRs were put out of business...
0 Where woutd our on -site caretakers find other emptoyment and affordabte housing? We pay
living wages and offer this young family a safe home.
0 Where woutd our maid find steady work in our area? We pay her above -market wages that
corporate resorts located an hour away would never offer her.
0 How woutd service providers, like tandscapers, handymen, pest controt, gutter cteaners,
etc. supptement the toss of revenue?
° WherexnouKc! our neighbors be able tmhost their families when they come to visit? There are
NO hotels in the area, and if you think locals don't like STRs, wait until you propose putting a
Holiday Inn in Hawi and see what happens...
0 What woutd happen to the restaurants and shops in Kapaau and Hawi who depend
on tourism to sustain their smatt businesses?
Moreover, when combined with the recent Hawaii Supreme Court Rosehill decision, Bill 121 is an
effective ban on vacation rentals on Ag zoning. That means the bill isthe death sentence for thousands of
local farmers and families who depend on visitor income to make ends meet. How can you let this
happen tuHovvei'iCounty farmers?
I hope you witt continue to wait untit the resutts of the economic impact study are comptete before taking
any action.
Mrs. Kimball - Please let me know if you woutcl be open to visiting our hosted rental., to
once and for all bust the myth that STRs are destroying neighborhoods and culture. If you visit, you wilt
find that VV8are enriching the local economy, strengthening cultural. connection.8nd ppravidin critical
Like North KOh8b@.
y48hn\O, Comrn. No.
Anna Ruth P8iff8r Ref.
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, Ref.
I The U'nt Resort
Anna Ruth Peiffer (she/her)
Co-owner, The Last Resort
404.825.6546
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