HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0739.052 2016-2018Friday, April 20th, 2018
01UN T Y CLERX
C:OV TY OF H, J
ZO. N APR 27 AM - 8y 07
Hawaii County Council, Committee on Planning
County Building, Council Chambers
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
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Councilmember Karen Eoff, Chair; Councilmember Eileen O'Hara, Vice -Chair
Councilmember Valerie T. Pondexter
Councilmember Herbert M. Richards III
Councilmember Dru Mamo Kanuha
Testimony Re: Bill 108 Draft 2
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Councilmember Maile Medeiros David
Councilmember Jennifer Ruggles
Councilmember Aaron S. Y. Chung
Dear Chair Eoff, Vice -char O'Hara, and Members of the Committee:
On behalf of Airbnb, I am submitting comments regarding Second Draft of Bill 108. Airbnb is
committed to being a long-term partner with the County of Hawaii.We appreciate the thoughtful,
comprehensive approach Hawaii County has taken in considering regulation for short term
rentals on the island. Home sharing has provided a significant economic boost to Hawaii County
residents. It has helped local residents earn extra income, brought tourism to parts of the
island and small business that may not normally benefit from tourism, and helped to support
events such as the Merrie Monarch Festival and the Ironman Triathlon by providing
accommodations for guests who would not otherwise be able to stay on the island due to a lack
of rooms. Just this past month, more than 4,800 visitors to Hawaii stayed in Airbnb during the
Merrie Monarch festival, an increase of more than 700 visitors compared to the year before.
We are grateful for the changes you made to the first draft of Bill 108 in response to comments
from local residents. In speaking with many of our hosts there is acknowledgment that this draft
is a positive step forward. At the same time, hosts on our platform have also shared with us
some additional concerns. We have included below some of the comments that have been
brought to our attention and we hope you will give them your consideration. They include:
• Support for Bill 108's exemption of people sharing their primary residence;
• Support for Bill 108's "grandfathering" of existing rentals as proposed, but urge
simplifying the permit process to encourage compliance;
• Oppose the ban of new rentals in Ag and residential areas, and instead create a path to
legitimize new rentals in these areas;
• Specify how much the Non -conforming Use Certificate (NUC) will cost residents in
Residential and AG zoning; �/
Comm. No. 1 � 's-).-
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Ref. Dote APR 2
• Allow those seeking NUCs to apply within 180 days rather than require them to obtain
the permit within that time frame;
• Reduce the $500.00 renewal fee for NUCs and change the renewal process to a
bi-annual requirement rather than an annual one in order to encourage compliance.
Airbnb is unique in that we are actively democratizing capitalism — that is to say, we're creating
opportunities, growing markets, and empowering people to generate income utilizing an asset
they already have, their home. This is as apparent on Hawaii as anywhere in the world.
Typically one of the largest expenses for any ordinary person, homes can generate income to
pay for things such as food, rent, education, and more. In the U.S., a host earns around $6,100
per year sharing their space. Sixty-two percent of U.S. hosts tell us that sharing their homes has
enabled them to afford to. stay in their homes, and a staggering twelve percent say it's helped
save their homes from eviction or foreclosure. We are also driving healthy tourism that is local,
authentic, and sustainable, supporting tourism and its benefits in places that are often left out,
driving opportunity not only to the hosts, but to local businesses and shops.
Again, it is our hope that we can work collaboratively with the members of the County Council,
the local residents including our host community, and other community leaders to craft a
comprehensive approach to thoughtfully regulate alternative accommodations in a manner that
can protect neighborhoods and affordable housing, while allowing Hawaii Island to fully benefit
from tourism and for residents to share their homes.
Sincerely,
Matt Middlebrook
Head of Policy, Hawaii