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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.628 2022-2024 p / PcPwo bill 121 COMM.C.15 From: TERESA KUALAAU Sent: Wednesday, November 6, 2024 8:36 PM To: Council Testimony Subject: Oppose Bill 121 Attachments: attachment 1.pdf Aloha Council Members, Once again I am writing to you opposing bill 121. I wrote a letter earlier this year bearing the date of April 17,2024 with my story. I have enclosed a copy. We chose to make an income from this industry in order to remain in the State of Hawaii where my husband and I were both born and raised.Our situation does not create housing for local people.We are renting a room in our home where we live full time.We don't want a longtime renter in our room. I ask you to please spend your energy going after the illegal STRVs.Spend your time and energy protecting Hawai'i from foreign investors.When they purchase entire homes,they are the ones who affect the availability of rental homes for local people. They drive up the property values making it difficult for local people to live here. We rent a room within our home. We rent not to make hundreds of thousands of dollars but simply to survive financially in our State where we're born and raised! Don't regulate the people that live here who chose to make an income from this industry. Keep it simple.This bill is so complicated! Again, I am not able to attend the hearing in person.Our situation has not changed. My husband's health continues to be a challenge. Please don't penalize us for choosing to make an income from this industry. Please feel free to contact me with any questions at(808)640-6773. Malama pono, na r r Teresa Kualaau Comm. , Ref. To: 1 Ref. Dc're NOV s ft 2024 2024.04-17 Bill 121 Teresa Kualaau Pag, 1 of 1 PDF • • Zoom tool 0 View plain text From: IMESANJALAAV To: LinzIda= Subject: Bill 121 Date: Wednesday,April 17,2024 1:19:34 PM I.oppose Bill 121 I oppose changes to"Owner-hosted transient accommodation rentals". This is my story: retired in 2017 after 35 112 years in banking.We started getting grandchildren and I wanted to"be there"for them 1 was not able to be a stay home mom for our own children and wanted to be that for our grandchildren. Our children benefited by having peace of mind while they go to work and provide for their households. 1 told my husband that this would be my second chance to be that"stay home tutu",I would not have a third.I warned him that my income would conic to a complete slop but I didn't want to miss out.We took a leap of faith. We had an extra room downstairs,so I told my husband that I wanted to be a host for Airbnb. I made sure that I wa legal from the very beginning and did all that was required of me.Our Airbnb income has not replaced my income,but living here in Hawaii,every little bit helps. We are locals,Kamaaina,born and raised in die islands. Aloha is in our blood.Airbnb attracts a different type of traveler.The type that enjoy the accommodations we provide.They contribute to our local economy by spending their dollars on activities,eating at local restaurants that we recommend and most important to our income.They ar not the same travelers that would take up lodging at hotels and resorts. If not for Airbnb,they would not come to Hawaii. We arc locals who depend on this income to survive in our own home. We are not on the same playing field as the hotels and resorts,yet we are taxed as though we are equal business. We are a small mom and pop businims. I understand that"outsiders"buy entire homes for short term rentals.I agree that those purchases should not be allowed.Again,1 slate that we are kamaaina renting a single room in our house that we have lived in for the past 42 years. We arc not on the same playing field.This is our home that we upkeep and pay our taxes, We should be able to say what we want to do with our spare room. We are a simple couple trying to survive in our own home state where we were born and raised. Bill no. 121 is so complicated! Sixteen pages! We can't afford an attorney to review and explain to us.so we do the best we can to understand it. Keep it simple.Kamaaina,owner hosted,renting a room.in their house,has a GE license,pays their taxes,no complaints.Simple( We have hosted for 6 years. We are mindful Kainaaina.lluiCs how we were raised.We share what we have and we care for each other.This is a room, not an entire house that should be in the rental pool.We like having the flexibility to block dates wheit family and fiends come to visit. In closing, I ask to please do not clump all short term vacation rentals into one.Please exclude owner-hosted transient accommodation rentals. I am not able to make the hearing due to my husband's health and hope that this letter will be read as intended. Please call • me at(808)640-6773. Malama ponn, Teresa Kualaau Sent from my il'hone littps://records.hawalicounty.gov/WebLInkiDoalew.aspx?dbidt1Sildr-130(332fipaggicr=1 10/30/24, 7:20 PM Page 1 ot 2