HomeMy WebLinkAboutLehmann, Esther
Tsuneda, Kaci
From:Esther Lehmann <estherrlehmann@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, August 16, 2026 2:08 PM
To:Council Testimony
Subject:Bill 147 testimony
Aloha rCouncilmembers,
Today, as a constituent, landowner, and long-term resident of Hawaii I ask for you to hear our concerns
on Bill 147.
We are a family that lives in Kona just below Holualoa on Ag1 land. Our land is primarily gray rock with a
flood zone and great amount of slope on our property, making it difficult to grow anything. We built an
extra bedroom for my mom to come for a month several times a year. When she is not in residence, we
rent the bedroom short term. As you can see, long-term rentals are not possible.
Since legislation has been passed in the last few years, we have lost our primary residence exemption,
even though we live in our home, and had a tax bill from previous years that put us into debt. This
penalized our family for using our resources to make ends meet and ignores that we live in our home full
time.
Initially, when legislation was being heard and passed, it was to provide long-term rentals as many
second and third homes were being rented, un hosted, in neighborhoods. The rentals often had
complaints by neighbors and no one to contact for resolution. The measures put in place made sense to
protect those of us that live here full time. I do not see how going after primary residence homes or
hosted rentals is helping with long-term rental inventory.
Now, looking at Bill 147, I am both overwhelmed and confused as to how we are supposed to meet all of
these unclear stipulations. The upcoming bills specifically target Ag land, which is much of Kona, and not
capable of sustaining agriculture!
My husband and I both have two jobs. Why can’t we just rent a bedroom to support our family and put our
kids through school!?
In closing, please help our Big island families! We need a clear, affordable, and attainable pathway to
compliance before new requirements are imposed. We aren’t realtors or lawyers and the details are
difficult to ascertain.
Mahalo for your time,
Esther Lehmann
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