HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.580 2022-2024bill [�J
From: Kaiulani Schuler
Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2024 11:17 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Written testimony for stvr panel meeting on wednesday
Hello, Please accept the following statement as written testimony for consideration in the discussion of the proposed
STVR changes...
Aloha,
I am born and raised local (since 1958), kapuna, disabled, and battling stage 4 cancer. Living on social security and unable
to work a "regular" job, I have to get creative about paying my bills. I am fortunate to own my house with no mortgage
but insurance prices have more than doubled (if you can even get it, I was denied renewal from my company who has
pulled out of hawaii following the Lahaina fires and received 3 rejections form other companies for the same reason
before finding a company who will insure Hawaii, but at more than double my previous rate), there are taxes and utilities
and always medical expenses I have to manage. I am not some soul -less money-grubbing mainland investor and I resent
being treated like one. I rent out my guest room to tourists occasionally, for goodness sake. I conform in every way to
owner -hosted. I'm off the beaten path and the tourists I host are looking for something with a more local feel that a
resort doesn't offer. I serve as a tourism ambassador, helping tourists spend money and enjoy our beautiful island and
state so much that they go home and tell their friends about it. You should be paying ME! Instead, you want to hasten
my demise by busting my chops over insulting me by treating me as though I'm some sort of criminal scofflaw„ a bad
thing, and not a good thing that should be supported and not hindered, taking $500 from my medical budget (If I die
because I couldn't afford treatment because of it, that's on you and I WILL come back to haunt you), and raising my
stress level over definitions that make no sense (You removed the definition of STVR, pat yourself on the backs, but
WHERE is the new definition to replace it? Length of stay?), and more regulations and government bureaucracy with
nothing to offer me in return. Makes it not worth it. Was that your intention, sadists? Because it feels like you just want
me to go away and die. I already pay GET licensing and taxes, why do you need more just for the privilege to restrict my
ability to use my home to help pay for its existence?
You need to factor in real stories from real people. I am a SuperHost on airbnb, which doesnt happen by accident. It is a
hard-won status that reflects nearly 100% 5-star reviews over a long period of time, and other measures. Because I
occasionally need full-time care while undergoing treatment, I can't rent the room long term. I need to be able to block
my calendar for my own needs. I have rented it to someone in need that was local, not transient, but I had to kick them
out when I needed the room... not ideal for either of us... but I felt so bad, that I never want to be in that position again,
so I'm back to looking at airbnb and what a wall of shit I have walked into! Stop treating me as the enemy (who am I
hurting? No neighbor complaints, plenty of off-street parking, I'm all good, no bad, so why are you targeting ME? Get
your money to fund enforcement from the people breaking the rules). Make it easier, not harder, for people like me who
provide a valuable service to tourists, the local and state economy and create long-term good public relations and tourist
experiences and memories!
Please relax your war. The people you are punishing, like me, are not the enemy. Spend your time and energy going after
the rule -breakers, if you have to justify your existence on this planet, just please leave me out of your existential struggle.
Mahalo for listening,
Kaiulani Schuler 1�
Honokaa, 970-729-2118 CMn�e T
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Ref. mate —ACT 2