Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PCPLUED 013 2026-07-22 2024-2026REPORT OF THE POLICY COMMITTEE ON PLANNING, LAND USE, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DATE: July 22, 2026 PLACE: Council Chambers Kailua-Kona, Hawaii TIME: 11:32 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Comm. No. 964/Bill No. 175 Your Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development, to which was referred Bill No. 175, reports as follows: Bill No. 175, transmitted by Council Member Heather L. Kimball via Communication 964 dated July 6, 2026, amends Ordinance No. 25-50, as amended, an ordinance amending Chapter 6 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), relating to transient accommodations. This bill changes certain responsibilities for proposed vacation rental laws under Ordinance No. 25-50 from the finance director to the planning director; exempts prospective vacation rentals that have submitted a valid use permit or special permit application from Ordinance No. 25-50; and requires any funds collected under Ordinance No. 25-50 to be deposited into the short-term vacation rental enforcement fund. Planning Director Jeffrey Darrow was available in the Kona Chambers to respond to questions. Ms. Kimball explained that the bill amends Ordinance 25-50 relating to short-term vacation rental (STVR) registration by transferring primary administrative responsibilities from the finance director to the planning director. She stated that applicants who previously obtained special permits under the bed and breakfast provisions would be deemed registered and encouraged hosted rentals to register, highlighting a grace period from September I" through December 3111, during which the planning director may waive enforcement penalties. She further explained that while registration responsibilities shift to the planning director, the finance director retains responsibility for tax compliance. Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba inquired about whether the Planning Department would be prepared to administer the program by the ordinance's effective date. Ms. Kimball clarified that the registration portal would open September I` as planned, while the December 31" enforcement date provides a grace period for operators to register before penalties are imposed. Mr. Darrow added that development of the online registration portal remains on schedule and that the grace period is intended to encourage existing operators to complete their registrations. PCPLUED Report No. 13 PCPLUED-13 Page 2 July 26, 2026 Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi questioned whether the Finance Department would continue to assist with registrations given staffing demands. Mr. Darrow explained that the registration process was developed collaboratively between the Planning and Finance Departments, with the Planning Department overseeing land -use related registration requirements and the Finance Department continuing to administer tax matters. Mr. Onishi also asked whether artificial intelligence could be used to identify application errors and reduce staff workload. Mr. Darrow replied that the "Deckard" platform incorporates substantial automated functionality. Committee Chair Ashley L. Kierkiewicz asked Planning Director to confirm the Department's confidence of the September I` launch date of the registration platform; explain anticipated internal workflows and turnaround time for issuance of registration numbers; indicate whether an informational webinar would be offered; clarify whether the platform would track complaints and their resolution; confirm whether the locations of registered STVRs would be publicly available; and explain whether owners could update contact information and operational status within the Deckard platform. Mr. Darrow responded that the department remained confident in the September I` launch date and was actively refining internal workflows to ensure timely processing of registrations. He stated that the information on a planned webinar could be shared at the next reading. He further explained the system would track complaints and log the results of inspector investigations, however, those records would remain confidential, be assigned to investigators for inspection, and be maintained as Planning Department records. Finally, he confirmed that owners could update contact information and operational status within the platform, but changes in ownership require submission of a separate form. Your Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 175, and recommends its passage on first reading. ki AYES NOES ABS EX GALIMBA X HUSTACE X INABA X KAGIWADA X KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X KIERKIEWICZ X KIMBALL X ONISHI X VILLEGAS X Respectfully submitted, POLICY COMMITTEE ON PLANNING, LAND USE, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASHLEY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR PCPLUED REPORT NO.: 13 ADOPTED: AUG 0 5 2026