HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0236.120 2024-2026P /COLM6l
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From: Tarek Antaki
Sent: Monday, June 2, 2025 5:07 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Re: Oppose bill 47
Regarding bill 47x Please add the following concerns in my opposition for bill 47:
1) The current format doesn't allow the host to leave the island, which seems unreasonable. A more
practical approach would be to allow the host to designate a representative to respond to requests.
2) The cancellation policy is overly stringent and absolute, potentially holding hosts to a higher standard
than traditional accommodations. The vague language also grants the county excessive discretion to
cancel listings, which could unfairly impact hosts who rely on their properties for income and contribute
significantly to the state's tax revenue through their tax payments. �!g n -
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Thankyou foryour time. =..cz
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Tarek
On Fri, May 30, 2025 at 12:06 PM TarekAntaki <tarek antaki@)gmail com> wrote: o �
Aloha Chair and Council members,
I'm here today to testify in opposition to Bill47, which requires registration for short-term rentals in
Hawaii County. While the bill's intent may seem reasonable, I strongly believe it's a backdoor attempt to
eliminate short-term rentals altogether.
*Concerns with the Bill:*
- *Registration as a precursor to prohibition*: By requiring registration, the county may be setting the
stage for further restrictions or even outright bans on short-term rentals. This could have devastating
effects on property owners who rely on these rentals for their livelihood. It will also impact travel to the
county as it will make it less affordable to visit the island.
- *Lack of comprehensive research*: The county council is currently awaiting a comprehensive research
report on short-term rentals. It's premature to move forward with this bill before the report's findings are
available. We should base our decisions on data -driven insights rather than assumptions.
*Public Opinion:*
- *Overwhelming opposition*: For every person who has testified in support of this bill and similar
legislation, 100 have spoken out against it. This disparity highlights the strong feelings of the community
regarding short-term rentals. Why would the council who was voted in by the people take actions
against its electorate ?
*Conclusion:*
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urge the council to reconsider Bill 47 and instead focus on collaborating with stakeholders to develop
fair and effective regulations that balance the needs of all parties involved.'Let's work together to find
solutions that benefit our community without stifling innovation or penalizing property owners.
Warmest regards,
TarekAntaki
Waikoloa Village hosted stvr operator
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