HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0739.347 2016-2018 COUNTY CLERK Pf
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COUNTY OF HAWAI'I i -ZYt
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Time(Q 1 'WK BY MU'
From: Ohara,Eileen Date 1Q 16/I6
To: Council Testimony
Subject: FW: Bill 108 Draft 4 Proposed Amendments-Implement an Economic Impact Study Immediately
Date: Monday,October 15,2018 1:17:45 PM
From: Pea Dog [mailto:pamelabigisland@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2018 10:43 AM
To: Poindexter,Valerie<Valerie.Poindexter@hawaiicounty.gov>
Cc: Chung,Aaron <Aaron.Chung@hawaiicounty.gov>; Kanuha, Dru
<Dru.Kanuha@hawaiicounty.gov>; Ohara, Eileen <Eileen.Ohara@hawaiicounty.gov>; Ruggles,
Jennifer<Jen.Ruggles@hawaiicounty.gov>; Eoff, Karen <Karen.Eoff@hawaiicounty.gov>; David,
Maile<Maile.David@hawaiicounty.gov>; Lee Loy,Sue<Sue.LeeLoy@hawaiicounty.gov>; Richards,
Tim <Tim.Richards@hawaiicounty.gov>
Subject: Bill 108 Draft 4 Proposed Amendments- Implement an Economic Impact Study Immediately
Re: Bill 108 Draft 4 Proposed Amendments
Implement an Economic Impact Study Per District Immediately
Council Members:
I have submitted written testimony to every council meeting concerning Bill 108. I have given
live testimony. I attended the Planning Commission Meeting. One thing has become
abundantly clear to me. You do not represent the interests of short-term vacation rental
owners. You have NEVER represented our interests. I have asked you, in testimony,to consult
with vacation rental owners, property managers, and Realtors in order to write a bill that
would be fair and reasonable to both owners and the State. I have spoken to over 430 vacation
rental owners. You did not consult a SINGLE ONE of them when crafting this convoluted,
bloated, draconian, and punitive bill. Who did you consult?You certainly weren't affected by
the thoughtful testimony of rental owners, cleaners, handymen, gardeners, tour operators, and
property managers who depend upon short-term vacation rentals for their livelihoods.
Two members of the council have a financial interest in shutting down competition vacation
rentals. The mayor has even taken time out of his schedule to testify in favor of this bill and
against vacation rentals. The mayor! A government official,particularly the highest ranking
one on the island, should remain neutral about political bills of this nature. He even testified
that we are only "guests" on this island—does that include the native Hawaiian hosts and
those of us who are hanai?
There are a few points that need to be addressed in this monstrosity of a bill. I could go
through ever single point that stinks, but there aren't enough trees in the forest to make that
• much paper. I'll hit the big items:
1) The Planning Commission was perfectly willing to change the General Plan in
. order to make Condominium Hotels legal vacation rentals. The same should be
done for Farm Dwellings on Agricultural Zoned Property on lots created after June
4. 1976.
2) The fee to register a short-term rental was raised from $250 to $500 at the
Planning Committee meeting because the Planning Director begged his commission
for it. He told them he'd get the money from "somewhere" and one of the women on
Comm. No. IN •, `4
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Ref. To: P IPC'
Ref. Date OCT 1 5 2018
the committee immediately said she wasn't willing to have her property taxes raised
again. Hence,the $500 fee.Not okay.
3) Planning Commission said to change the Quiet Hours in the bill to 10—8 to match
societal norms. This was not done.
4) The Director should NOT have the power to arbitrarily decide if STVRs get rebuilt
after a disaster. There should be an actual policy in place.
5) Evidence of"Prior Use" is still far to vague. "Other Reliable Information" is
what???
6) By allowing unlimited vacation rentals in the General Plan Resort and Resort
Node you are catering to the resorts, hotels, and off island investors.
I agree with Ms. O'Hara. There needs to be an Economic Impact Study per district. What
you are proposing with this bill will cripple Puna. Their economy is completely tied to short-
term vacation rentals andou will destroythem with a one size fits all bill of this nature.
Y
Having listened to the testimony at the council meetings,the complaints concern noise and
parking. These are already POLICE ISSUES. You are creating a conflict of interest by making
the Planning Director/Commission an enforcement agency taking on issues that are already
covered by Law Enforcement.
This bill needs to be tabled. Start over. Consult with short-term vacation rental owners,
Realtors, property managers, and regular citizens in order to come up with something that
works for everyone. Show that you represent your constituents.
Pamela Small
Kamuela,HI