Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolden, Robert Robert Golden 13-872 Malama Street Pahoa, HI 96778 September 15, 2026 TO: Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Economic Development (PCPLUED) RE: Testimony in Support of Balanced Implementation of Bill 147 Aloha Chair, Vice-Chair, and Members of the PCPLUED My name is Robert Golden, and I reside in Lower Puna. I am also the co-founder of Puna Rising ‘Ohana, a community-based organization dedicated to strengthening local connection, economic resilience, and opportunity across our district. My partner and I host two AirBnB properties in Leilani Estate, one on an adjoining property, and the other in our home. For the former, we have a NUC, since the legislation was passed about then years ago. The other property, since we live in the house, we have not had to register. However, we have paid STVR taxes on both properties, since we joined AirBnB in 2013. The income that these short-term rentals have provided us has made living in Puna possible and my ability to do the pro bono work I do for Puna Rising ‘Ohana possible, which is my gift to Puna. If for some reason, future legislation made doing these short-term rentals impossible, then we would have to move. I appreciate the intent behind Bill 147, particularly the effort to create a more structured and enforceable framework for transient vacation rentals. The establishment of a dedicated enforcement fund and clearer mechanisms for identifying violations reflects a commitment to accountability and responsible management. At the same time, I respectfully ask that the Council carefully consider the broader role that short-term vacation rentals play in the economic and social fabric of Hawaiʻi Island— especially in districts like Puna. Tourism represents approximately 20–25% of Hawaiʻi’s economy, contributing over $17 billion annually. On Hawaiʻi Island, however, the distribution of those bene?its is not uniform. Unlike resort areas such as Kona or Waikoloa, Lower Puna has little to no resort infrastructure. As a result, short-term vacation rentals serve as one of the primary pathways through which visitor spending reaches our communities. Research from multiple tourism studies indicates that visitors who stay in vacation rentals tend to spend more within local neighborhoods—supporting small businesses, food vendors, farmers markets, and locally owned services. In Puna, this includes places like Makuʻu Farmers Market, roadside vendors, and emerging community-based enterprises. These are not peripheral benefits; they are essential to the circulation of local economic value. Equally important is who owns and operates many of these rentals. A significant number are not corporate entities, but local residents—kūpuna supplementing fixed incomes, families working to retain generational land, and individuals navigating Hawaiʻi’s exceptionally high cost of living. For many, income from a short-term rental is not discretionary; it is foundational to remaining housed and financially stable. Bill 147 introduces expanded enforcement tools, including substantial penalties and broader evidentiary standards for identifying violations. While enforcement is necessary, there is a meaningful distinction between ensuring compliance and creating conditions that may unintentionally displace responsible, small-scale operators. Overly aggressive or punitive enforcement may have the unintended consequence of: - Driving out locally owned rentals - Consolidating market share among larger, well-capitalized operators - Reducing the diversity and accessibility of Hawaiʻi Island’s visitor experience I respectfully encourage the Council to pursue a balanced approach—one that upholds standards, protects neighborhoods, and ensures compliance, while also recognizing the vital role that short-term vacation rentals play in sustaining local livelihoods and community- based economies. Hawaiʻi Island has an opportunity to lead with a model that integrates responsible tourism with local benefit—where regulation supports alignment rather than simply restriction. In communities like Puna, this balance is not theoretical. It directly impacts whether families can remain in place, whether small businesses can thrive, and whether visitor dollars circulate locally or are extracted elsewhere. Mahalo for your time, your service, and your thoughtful consideration of this important issue. Sincerely, Robert Golden