HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0739.220 2016-2018p p�G 0..,UN, TY CLERK
TY OFAV 111
From: Michael Swindell
To: Council Testimony (� j,n �9a 11to ML 10 AN 9: 05
Subject: RE: Bill 108
Date: Sunday, June 17, 2018 7:59:15 AM
Dear Committee on Planning Hawaii County,
Aloha and'thank you for listening. I urge you to reconsider requiring on island contacts for
vacation rentals to be a licensed property manager and the unintended effects it would have on
local families who are caretakers of vacation rental properties. We bought our 2nd home in
2016 in HPP (AG -1 zone) which has been a successful vacation rental since it was re -built in
2005, and to the best of my knowledge was a vacation rental long prior to that as well. We live
half time in Hawaii and half time on mainland which we plan to do until I retire and we move
full time back to our home in Hawaii. We employ a local husband and wife family as our on
island caretakers who are also our on island contact. Our home and several others make up
their total income. Many other vacation rentals have local couples who are the on island
contacts. They do a wonderful job and being in the neighborhood they are highly responsive
and reachable for guests. Our guests love our caretakers and our caretakers love their job. We
also provide our guests with comprehensive area activity planning as well as restaurant and
shopping advice. We're also available 24/7 for our guests for any travel or activity advice, as
our guests will attest to. We estimate that our guests spend on average of $5000 per group per
week in the local Hawaii economy on rental cars, food, tours, and shopping, largely guided by
our suggestions and guidance. We take pride that we are very "high touch" and engaged with
our guests and it shows in our unblemished perfect 5 star guest review record. Many of our
guests return annually to relax and enjoy the Big Island. I'm confident that we are not just
good for the economy, but a key part of it. I strongly urge you to reconsider requiring a
property manager as on island contact for vacation rentals, as this would have the unintended
consequence of shifting resources away from local Hawaiian families and over to realtors and
property managers. These families depend on the income that vacation rentals would be forced
to shift to real estate companies and long term rental property managers. Mahalo, Mike
Swindell
Regards,
Michael Swindell
Keaau, HI 96749
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