HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.639 2022-2024 P/PctiuD
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HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
POLICY COMMITTEE ON PLANNING, LAND USE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Councilmember Ashley Kierkiewicz, Chair, Dr. Holeka Inaba, Vice Chair
MEETING DATE: Friday, November 8, 2024
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TIME: 9:00 am
PLACE: Hilo7.
RE: IN OPPOSITION TO CURRENT FORM of BILL NO. 121-24 (Draft 4) '
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Dear Chair Kierkiewicz, Vice Chair Inaba, and Council Committee Members: .r
Thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is Susana McIntosh, and I am a property
owner of a short-term rental in Hawaii County. I am writing today to express my strong
opposition to the proposed legislation that seeks to impose significant restrictions on short-term
rental units within the county. This measure, as currently drafted, will have severe negative
consequences for our local communities, economy, and property owners.
Our cleaner, a local single mother of three, would lose her job if short-term rentals were
minimized or significantly reduced. Why take away jobs from hardworking local families who are
already struggling with the high cost of living?
Guests who stay in short-term rentals contribute to the local economy by spending money at
small businesses, helping them stay open and continue to employ local workers. The revenue
generated from short-term rental guests also contributes to Hawaii's State and County coffers,
in the form of Transient Accommodations Tax(TAT) and General Excise Tax (GET)—nearly 18%
of each booking—along with additional GET collected by small businesses.
A large portion of short-term rental guests are our own Kama'aina, visiting from neighboring
islands for special events like keiki baseball tournaments, Merrie Monarch, Ironman, and more.
Short-term rentals are also utilized by contract workers who are needed for island construction
projects. For many Kama'aina and contract workers, hotels are simply too expensive, and they
lack the kitchen facilities to prepare meals. Without short-term rentals, hotels will only raise their
nightly rates, further pricing out local residents and workers who rely on affordable
accommodations.
It's basic economics: the law of supply and demand. Does it make sense to price out our own
Kama'aina and contract workers?
I oppose any amendments to the bill that would impose limitations on the number of properties
an individual can own, restrict the structure of ownership, or further limit agricultural property
registrations. I also strongly object to proposals that would extinguish a Non-Conforming Use
Certificate (NUC) upon transfer of property. These proposals are not only constitutionally
questionable but would also result in significant harm to Hawaii Island's economy, particularly in
rural and agricultural areas where short-term rentals provide essential income for families and
small businesses.
The current draft, including the amendments presented in the latest agenda, continues to be
unreasonable and lacks sufficient data to justify such sweeping changes. These measures could
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have unintended and far-reaching consequences that would disrupt the livelihoods of many
local residents and hurt the,economy at large.
Therefore, I respectfully request that the council table this bill until a comprehensive economic
impact study can be conducted. This study would provide critical data and insights to ensure
that any new regulations are informed by evidence and would avoid unnecessary harm to the
community.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Susana McIntosh