HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0739.313 2016-2018 P/Pc
From: Tidwell,Kendra on behalf of Ohara,Eileen
To: Council Testimony
Subject: FW: Bill 108
Date: Monday,October 15,2018 8:53:08 AM
Kendra Tidwell-
Hawaii County Council Aide 0
District 4:Eileen O'Hara U' -11 n
Office:(808)965-2712 =rri.
Original Message 32'
From:David Cowles[mailto:dreowles47n.gmail.com]
Sent:Monday,October 15,2018 7:40 AM
To:Poindexter,Valerie
Cc:Chung,Aaron;Ruggles,Jennifer;David,Maile;Eoff,Karen;Richards,Tim;Kanuha,Dru;Lee Loy,Sue;
Ohara,Eileen
Subject:Bill 108
Aloha,
I am writing to oppose a one size fits all districts approach to short term vacation rentals on the Big Island.I live in
Lower Puna which has no hotels or resorts,is predominately classified as agricultural land and as you know has
suffered unprecedented personal,environmental,structural and financial losses since May of this year.We need help
in attracting visitors not hindering them and their financial contribution to the local economy.
Instead of adding a whole new layer of bureaucracy please make efforts to enforce the laws already in effect.The
first approach should be to enforce zoning regulations and crack down on unpermitted structures and/or make
owners who have not obtained permits pay their fare share of property taxes. In addition,both resident and non-
resident owners who do short term vacation rentals and are not collecting and paying the general excise and transient
accommodations taxes and state income taxes should be made to do so.I fear that the current approach will simply
drive those not in compliance further underground and those that have complied with building regulations and have
been collecting and paying all applicable taxes to choose to fly under the radar.Either way,the County and the State
may end up losing rather than gaining compliance and tax revenue.
Sincerely,
David Cowles
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