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From: Lily Tomaszewski
Sent: Wednesday, November 6, 2024 11:18 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Opposition to Bill 121 -
November 6, 2024
To: counciltestimonv@hawaiicounty.gov
Attn: Hawaii County Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Development, November 8, 2024 n`
Councilmember Ashley Kierkiewicz, Chair, Dr. Holeka Inaba, Vice Chair
Dear Chair Kierkiewicz, Vice Chair Inaba, and Council Committee Members:
RE: IN OPPOSITION TO CURRENT FORM of BILL NO. 121-24 (Draft 4)
Thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is Elizabeth Tomaszewski, and I own a hosted short-term vacation
rental at my home in Hawaii County. I provide an affordable STVR option near one of the largest tourist attractions
Hawaii offers, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Let's keep the money flowing and the people coming by opposing Bill
121.
I am writing today in opposition to the proposed legislation restricting short-term rental units in Hawaii County. This
measure will have significant negative consequences for myself, the local community, and those who travel to Hawaii
county.
Please do not consider this bill for passage. It's many amendments should be the first red flag to those who are
considering it's passage. The bill is bulky, reeks of overreach, and is outrageously premature. At the very least, the
economic impact study must be completed and reviewed before consideration of passing this bill.
The urgency with which this bill is moving forward for passage continues to raise doubt and serves as a second red
flag. With no impact study completed, a new mayor in office, and a new council member coming on board, we need to
stop this bill.
Bill 121, draft #4, must be tabled.
The personal impact of Bill 121 as written:
Section 3 and it's amended definition of "reachable". Section 25-4-16.5 "the transient accommodation rental must
meet health and safety requirements established by law." Which laws? This is overreach. I am a responsible small
business person. Let me do my job responsibly without the county all over my back.
Section 5 in regards to fees for owner hosted transient accommodations. $500.00 for initial registration? $100.00/yr
annual fee? Really? That is excessive for us moms and pops. We are the ones doing all the paperwork, using county
online tax payment platforms that are difficult at times to navigate, and paying our homeowners property tax with no
exemptions. Let's knock that down a bit. Thank you, Ms. Kagiwada, for your proposed amendment to bring these fees
down.
Transient Accommodation Fine Schedule. No, just no. The fines are huge. Let's make sure we have a fine schedule that
reflects reasonable, conscionable and actionable (enforceable) legislation.
The community impact of Bill 121 as written:
Many of the locally owned food trucks, farmers markets, restaurants, and gift shops will suffer if this bill is passed. I
consistently recommend places like Koana's coffee shop in Mountain View, Big Island Coffee Roasters in Hilo, and Hala
Tree Organic Kona Coffee. Saucy K4oma/s,newly opened VVvatt'sPlace, TukTukThai Food Truck, PahoaFresh Fish Co,
Tin Roof Bakery. Zipline Tours Hawaii, Wicked 8 Fissure Tours, the lists are endless. These are all places I frequent and
recommend to guests. This legislation promises to be a big take on our local business owners. With fewer 5TVRsand
fewer guests staying near tothese businesses, they will crumble. Small business owners rely nnvisitors tothe island,
and STVR hosts support them with our recommendations. I also have a landscaper who comes by once a month and
handles the yard work that | can never seem toget to. Hewould also behurt bythis bill if|had toclose mySTVR.
YES! Require registration. YES! Register with areasonable fee. YES! Work with the platforms toshare data with our
state and county. YES! Keep usworking and paying taxes. YES! Introduce abill that issimple —1orZpages, and gets
everyone enrolled inthe best policies for running anSTVR.
Many, many people have spoken out against this bill, this is the third red flag.
OPPOSE THIS BILL! NOMORE AMENDMENTS! NOMORE RED FLAGS! CREATE SOMETHING NEW FOR NEXT SESSION.
Respectfully submitted inopposition toBill l3l.
Elizabeth Tomaszexvksi,owner-hosted A|rbnboperator
11-Z7ISAla Kapena
Mountain View, H|,g6771
808-I86'7638