HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0236.137 2024-2026June 4, 2025, 9 a.m.
Hawaii County Building
To: Hawaii County Council
Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair
Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, Vice Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Joe Kent, Executive Vice President
RE.: Bill 47 (2025)— RELATING TO TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS
Aloha Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi and other members of the Council,
1050 BishQp St, #508
Hanolulu, 141 96S13
808-864-1776
i nfoog rarssroot i nstituto,o rg
Removing barriers to Hawaii's prosperity
Z;4 o �
c, C C:)
� =r—
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii has concerns with Bill 47, Draft 2 (2025), which would create a registry for all
short-term rentals on the island and establish penalties for operating an unregistered STR.
First of all, Grassroot believes the Council should wait until the results of the county's economic impact study
on STRs are released before passing any legislation adding rules to STR operations.
Beyond that, Grassroot is concerned that establishing a registry would harm the island's smallest STR operators
most. People who are renting a room out of their homes could face serious penalties for a small mistake, such
as forgetting to file their annual registration form.
Grassroot appreciates that the Council amended the proposed fine schedule, replacing the $10,000 mandatory
fine for operating an unregistered STR with a sliding scale fine between $1,000 and $10,000 to be determined
on a case -by -case basis by the planning department.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Joe Kent
Executive Vice President
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Com I. t-,
1050 Bishop St. #508 1 Honolulu, HI 96813 1 808-864-1776 1 info@grassrootinstitut9,cTr9:
Ref. Dda T
— 4 2025