HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0236.102 2024-2026P/ Counci f
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May 19, 2025
TO: Council Council Chair Holeka Inaba
County Vice Chair Dennis Onishi
Members of the Hawaii County Council and members of the
Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Economic
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Development
Chair - Ashley Kierkiewicz
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Vice Chair - Michelle Galimba
RE: Opposition Testimony to Bill 47, Draft
Dear County Council Chair Holeka Inaba, County Vice Chair Dennis Onishi,
members of the Hawaii County Council; PCPLUED Chair Kierkiewicz,
PCPLUED Vice Chair Michelle Galimba. and members of the Policy
Committee on Planning, Land Use and Economic Development
p I have owned a short term rental since 2000 in Hilo, The number one
response that I receive from guests is that they appreciate having the
opportunity to stay in the community rather an expensive hotel in which
the options are very limited in Hilo,
I oppose this rush to bring this bill before the County Council without the
EIS that the County council had requested and for the mere negative
impact this bill will have on the owners and tourists, We are taxed already
by the feds, the state and the county. Now with this bill we have the
county requiring registration and fees and unnecessary oversight. This is
quite disturbing and I feel very detrimental to the economic impact on the
county from these tourists that come to enjoy the Big Island and spend
their money. It will foster non compliance and outrage that the county is
imposing further bureaucratic oversight on private enterprise.
I also have understood that if Bill 47 is passed, I as a home owner for the
last 30+ year would possibly lose a portion of our home owner exemption
and also lose the 3% increase tax. And what are the penalties if we
decide NOT to register. This bill has and will continue to cause public
mistrust due to its punitive nature. Please dismiss this bill as out of control
and not supported by the public and has caused much mistrust and
undermines the integrity of this County Council. n
Comm.
Ref. To: _
Res. Dale 2 1 2025
Please, I urge the committee to table this bill until the EIS is completed
and thoroughly reviewed it before any action is taken. I further argue that
this is not the mission of the Hawaii `County Council.
Thank you for this opportunity to offer this testimony.
Aloha,
Marie Ruhland
Hilo