HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0739.164 2016-2018V(PC;. Y ,L:
From: LeeAnne Greeson� 0 '
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Bill 108 Written Testimonyj'
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Date: ,
Frida June 15, 2018 12:45:48 PM
Dear Council members,
I am writing to share my concerns about Bill 108. 1 am an Airbnb host and our family
depends on the income home sharing brings in. It is imperative that the committee
continue to allow folks like us to operate without interruption.
My husband and I are both born and raised in Hawaii. We have no doubts that our
reality is the same as for so many other local families: home sharing allows us to
afford to stay in Hawaii. Without it, we will likely have to move to the mainland to live
the same lifestyle. Home sharing helps us to pay our mortgage and allows me to be a
full time Mom to our two young children who are under the age of five.
Home sharing is also a win for Hawaii Island's economy. Our guests are travelers
who might not otherwise be able to afford to visit the islands. Staying in an Airbnb can
be a fraction of the cost of a hotel and provides our guests accommodations they are
more comfortable with. Instead of taking away from the hotel industry, Airbnb
travelers bring additional income that benefits Hawaii Island and the entire state. They
rent cars, go to restaurants and grocery stores, go on coffee farm tours and snorkel
adventures, buy clothes, and all kinds of gifts and goodies to take home. The state
also benefits from the GE and TAT fees we pay.
By staying with us in our Holualoa agricultural neighborhood, our guests get the
chance to see and experience apart of the real Hawaii that we love and call home. In
my experience, our guests have been very respectful of our home and neighbors.
Although we are located in a residential neighborhood, we have not received any
complaints about our guests. Our neighbors have been kind and supportive of me
renting our home short term. They think it is great that this allows me to stay home
and raise our children.
The days of "stay-at-home" moms seem to be long gone. Few families have the
luxury of this option in Hawaii. It has become the norm that both parents work full time
jobs to support the family and home. Running the Airbnb has become a full time job
that still allows me to be home with our children.
It is unfortunate that some property owners have created "monster party" homes that
destroy the peace of a neighborhood. We realize that something must be done to
regulate these situations and the recent amendments to Bill 108 are a step in that
direction. Speaking for the many hard working, responsible Airbnb and home sharing
hosts that I know, we are committed to being good neighbors and to helping our
travelers enjoy their time in our beautiful state.
Thank you.
Aloha,
LeeAnne Loney
(808) 224-4211 Qamrn. No. I� 1 U�i
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