HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0744.005 2016-2018Aloha,
I just read the report on Hawaii News Now regarding the plan for a proposal to
regulate vacation rentals on the island. I lived on Kauai for many years -and during
that time operated a legal vacation rental. I was only able to do that because it was
located in the very small area where they were permitted, and I was able to pay the
very hefty taxes. I watched over the years as the hotel lobbyists and government bit
by bit made it impossible for most residents to rent a room or space on their
property, saying things like- "the residential areas will be overrun with tourists." This
of course was nonsense. Tourists aren't rats, and the properties they stay in are
almost across the board better cared for than others. I eventually was priced off of
Kauai, as I know many people have been, because of regulations supposedly for our
own good that made it impossible to earn enough to stay. Please recognize that
although most council members make a good income and do not need "side" income
such as from rentals, that this is not the case for most residents. And any regulation
in this area is a stepping stone to making life harder for, islanders.
Mahalo for your, consideration,
Cheryl O'Brien
Ref. To..
Ref. ®®tomASR 13 2018
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From: C. 0"Brien
To: Council Testimony
rrI
Subject: vacation rentals
Date: Friday, February 09, 2018 9:17:34 AMp
Aloha,
I just read the report on Hawaii News Now regarding the plan for a proposal to
regulate vacation rentals on the island. I lived on Kauai for many years -and during
that time operated a legal vacation rental. I was only able to do that because it was
located in the very small area where they were permitted, and I was able to pay the
very hefty taxes. I watched over the years as the hotel lobbyists and government bit
by bit made it impossible for most residents to rent a room or space on their
property, saying things like- "the residential areas will be overrun with tourists." This
of course was nonsense. Tourists aren't rats, and the properties they stay in are
almost across the board better cared for than others. I eventually was priced off of
Kauai, as I know many people have been, because of regulations supposedly for our
own good that made it impossible to earn enough to stay. Please recognize that
although most council members make a good income and do not need "side" income
such as from rentals, that this is not the case for most residents. And any regulation
in this area is a stepping stone to making life harder for, islanders.
Mahalo for your, consideration,
Cheryl O'Brien
Ref. To..
Ref. ®®tomASR 13 2018