HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.623 2022-2024 P/PCP(uO
gill 121
GOMM.C15
From: kenyamarisa
Sent: Wednesday, November 6, 2024 9:12 AM
To: Council Testimony -_� 04,1 +
Subject: STVR/TAR Bill 121 and _
Aloha Council members, `;.
I am writing you to tell you that I want to thank you for your service, and all the hard work y St put-into
crafting the Bill 121. I know this island and basically the whole country has experienced so many
different changes in the last year, especially before and after covid. What was once a relatively sleepy
island has now blossomed into a major tourist destination. We also now have more and more people
than ever moving here from the mainland due to remote working and many socio-economic changes,
which has created a need for more housing, of which is currently in short supply. I can understand
how many people think that STVR's are to blame for our lack of housing here on the Big Island. I can
logically see how, we as owners and landlords of most of the housing stock, look bad because we
prefer to rent our properties out as short-term vacation rentals instead of long-term rentals. There are
many reasons why this is better for a private landlord, most of which have been discussed, like
horrible landlord protection from squatters and dead-beat tenants, and for the simple fact, you can
make more money renting short term rather than long. However, the cat is already out of the bag, and
now the Big Island, which relies heavily on the tax income collected from short term rentals, and the
whole cottage industry that supports and thrives economically off of short-term rentals. I can
understand the need to regulate this industry to create balance in our community. I think that was the
original intent with the introduction of this bill. It was said many times, that 'We are not here to take
anything away from you, we are here only to register ALL STVR's and tighten some loose ends."
Well, this does not seem to be the case. To date, there are 4 drafts of bill 121, where there are more
and more restrictive amendments are being offered, and more and more changes discussed which
WOULD require people to lose the business and security that they have created.
I humbly ask, that you really take into consideration, any operation that has been in business before
the signing and confirmation of Bill 121, which does not fall into the "new" guidelines be
grandfathered in and it be clearly stated in the bill so we can have some peace of mind.
I know that there are several people all over the Island, who have more than one STVR on their
hosted property; that they rent out the larger portion of their house as an STVR; that there are more
than 5 bedrooms being rented; or they are on Ag land and operate a STVR to make ends meet. I also
know that these people would never rent long term, or if they did, it would be to mainlander's moving
here, because frankly, they have more disposable income and have traditionally been better tenants.
I also have seen where other counties/cities have tried to restrict STVR's to open up housing stock
and have failed miserably, like New York city. I also know that many people own more than one
hosted STVR and some of these people will be relying on the sale of their property to fund their
retirement, STVR license intact upon the sale. I have seen where this restriction has created a glut of
housing stock and no one is buying, like Palm Springs. If we limit STVR's where are all the Ironman
visitors going to go when we have limited places to offer them?
Comm. mo.
Ref. To:
1 Ref. Gate NOV - 8 2024
There was an idea floated around that this bill would be put on hold until an economic impact study
could be done. This seems like the most logical course of action because there are many nuanced
layers that should be intensely studied before passing this bill.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration in this matter.
Kenya Holmes
(808) 895-4898
24 years happy to be living here in Hawaii.
2