HomeMy WebLinkAboutLoewen, Todd
Tsuneda, Kaci
From:Todd Loewen <toddloewen1@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, November 4, 2026 12:58 PM
To:Council Testimony
Subject:Bill 147- My Testimony
This is the first time in my life where a Bill has the potential to affect my ability to put food on the table
and provide for my family. I am a farmer and I share my property with guests from all over the world. This
keeps the farm going. We call ourselves a "Farmstay", which are popular all over the world as a way to
support agri-tourism. All over the world guests are staying in huts, barns, covered wagons, treehouses,
etc to experience life on a farm. Hawaii has long been talking about this for years as a path forward, yet a
Bill like this doesn't support those thoughts at all. It seeks to impose fines and regulate what you are
allowed to do on your own farm, yet Hawaii with this Bill is seeking to criminalize this activity. How crazy
is that? When will common sense prevail?
I don't think anyone reading my testimony would honestly be in favor of the government telling us who
we are allowed to share our property with and for how long.
What a great way to provide extra income for families that have a room available while there Ohana is off
at college and still have that room available for when they come home.
The Counties own council members have had so much confusion over this Bill, that in itself should
cause this Bill to be struck down. How do you think the public feels?
There are all these people speaking against this Bill, writing letters, showing up to the hearings, yet it still
moves forward. Where are all the people that support this Bill?
The Counties own Economic Study supported what people in opposition of the Bill have been saying all
along, yet it still moves forward?
I hope that there will be more than half of you to put this Bill to rest. In the end, this Bill will affect real
people just trying to make it living in Hawaii.
Thank you for listening.
Todd Loewen
Hakalau Farmer
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