HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0236.007 2024-2026 p/pcPulEo
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From: Chris Becker
Sent: Tuesday, May 6, 2025 12:05 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Strong Opposition to Bill 47
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RE:Strong Opposition to Bill 47 (Short-Term Vacation Rental Registration and Regulation)
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Dear Council Members, co
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I am writing to express my strong opposition to Bill 47, a proposal that is being presented as a
"registration" measure for short-term vacation rentals(STVRs) in Hawaii County.While the bill may
appear, at first glance,to be a straightforward administrative step, a closer reading reveals that it goes
far beyond simple registration. In its current form, Bill 47 paves the way for the systematic regulation—
and ultimately, elimination—of lawful, responsible vacation rental operations that have long contributed
to the island's economy and local communities.
Like many others, I have a deep personal and professional investment in Hawaii Island.Vacation rentals,
when operated responsibly, provide much-needed lodging for travelers, support local jobs, and create
revenue streams for small businesses across our communities—from housekeepers and landscapers to
restaurants and activity providers. Moreover, many of us who run or support STVRs do so in ways that are
mindful, community-centered, and fully in compliance with existing county rules. Bill 47 undermines this
balance and threatens to penalize good actors without meaningfully addressing the issues it claims to
solve.
Overreach Disguised as Registration
While presented as a registration program, Bill 47 introduces mechanisms that go far beyond what a
reasonable registry would require.These include excessive disclosure of private information,vague or
subjective grounds for revocation or denial, and the potential for ever-tightening operational restrictions.
The bill appears designed not simply to track vacation rentals but to place all of them under a heightened
level of scrutiny that can be used to shrink and eventually eliminate the sector entirely.
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In effect,this bill could create a two-tiered system in which even existing nonconforming uses or legal
STVRs are left in constant jeopardy. Instead of supporting the clarity and fairness that a registration
system should provide, Bill 47 would insert new layers of bureaucracy and uncertainty into an already
complex process.
Impact on Residents, Not Just Visitors
It is a misconception that all STVR owners are off-island investors with little connection to the
community. Many operators are kama`aina—local residents supplementing income, caring for aging
family members, or simply trying to keep pace with the rising cost of living.STVR income is,for many,the
margin that allows them to stay in their homes and contribute to the island economy.The idea that this
bill helps residents is misleading; it will hurt many of them directly.
By painting all STVRs with the same broad brush and focusing regulatory power almost exclusively on
restriction rather than management,the bill risks eliminating a valuable part of our island's housing and
tourism ecosystem. It will also likely trigger unintended consequences: pushing visitors into illegal
rentals, reducing legitimate lodging options, and increasing enforcement burdens on already stretched
county resources.
A Better Path Forward
If the county genuinely wishes to manage short-term rentals in a way that promotes fairness,
sustainability, and community well-being, it should focus on enhancing enforcement of existing rules,
targeting truly problematic operations, and offering a clear path for responsible operators to continue.
True registration should be transparent, simple, and supportive of compliance—not a Trojan horse for
elimination.
I urge you to reconsider the direction of Bill 47 and to reject it in its current form. Instead, please engage
in a more inclusive and thoughtful process that brings all stakeholders to the table—including small-
scale operators, residents, and industry professionals—to find balanced solutions that reflect the
diverse needs of our island communities.
Thank you for your time,your service, and your consideration.
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Sincerely,
Chris Becker-Inn Keeper
Volcano, HI 96785
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