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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0739.357 2016-2018 7- COUNTY CLERK70'18 COUNNOT'-2 Ot= HA9: 5 YAII ,1l Experience Volcano Hawaii OFFICERS OF THE BOARD Aloha, IRA ONO I am president of Experience Volcano, an alliance of local Volcano Businesses. President Bill 108, as written, would be disastrous for our community and the island. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the island's premier destination. But the KATHY TRIPP resort node model has never served the park or Volcano well. Our community Treasurer has evolved a different tourism model, tucking our guests into the rainforest LUCRETIA WORSTER instead of concentrating them in a strip city of hotels. Our visitors historically Secretary spend multiple days at the park, and from Volcano, they also explore surrounding parts of the island. We market to a different visitor: people who seek unique lodgings and a unique experience. FOUNDING MEMBERS MARILYN NICHOLSON And it's worked. In 2017, Our park received over two million visitors. According LORNA LARSON-JEYTE to the National Park Service, these visitors add over$222 million to our MIKE NELSON economy annually. Every business in Volcano is reliant to come degree on this AUBREY HAWK steady flow of visitors. KATHLEEN GOLDEN JESSE TUNISON Vacation rentals are an essential part of that model. The maximum combined LANI DELAPENIA capacity for Volcano House, Kilauea Lodge and additional lodging sources PUA NORRIS classed as inns and bread and breakfasts totals only about 100 rooms. About JENNY GALE 4/5 of Volcano's rentable rooms—representing about $178 million—are owned by local residents. If those businesses close, the ripple effect will extend to CONTACT DETAILS tourism-related businesses in other communities, including Hilo, where every Experience Volcano Hawaii business large and small will feel the impact. Retention of those vacation rentals P.O. Box 129 that are tax compliant is essential to our economy. Volcano, Hawai'i 96785 USA Most of our rental owners are older local residents who created their businesses decade or more ago. What do you do if you are 65 years old and the experiencevolcano@gmail.com government takes away your living? www.experiencevolcano.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook Despite all the changes to this bill since its initial draft, it still offers no path that will allow non-conforming certificates to be issued to these unique rentals sought after by visitors to our part of the island. The eruption severely impacted our community. To recover, we need all the resources of the economic model we've been evolving for years. Comm. No. ''b51 Ref.To: P COUnQI 0 V 2018 Ref.Date To protect the businesses and residents of east Hawaii communities. we request as follows: 1. Change the definition of a "hosted rental" to any rental offered by a resident of the community in which it lies. 2. Grandfather in all existing rentals demonstrating tax compliance over the 12 months preceding implementation of the bill, or as many months as they have been in operation, whichever is shorter. 3. Conduct a full economic impact study prior to the final vote on Bill 108. There is not much aloha is denying visitors a place to spend the night, after they have traveled thousands of miles to reach our island. Nor is it aloha to our local families to take jobs close to home away from them and force them to drive to a "resort node" on the other side of the island. We thank you for your attention to Volcano and the surrounding communities. Sincerely, gt\ CN-L-D Ira Ono President of Experience Volcano Hawaii cc members of the council Valerie Poindexter Aaron Chung Susan Lee Loy Eileen O'Hara Jen Ruggles Maile David Dru Mamo Kanuha Karen Eoff Herbert Richards III ,wi �r ,xh ' 1 7- .,,,, Alf, :73 -- 11011111111 . la . ,- __ Alongside - . - - Viiil ,� � �/ Hawaii Volcanoes National Park 0 Q �11 is the unique community of Volcano 4,1%. . Nestled at a 4000ft elevation, in an upland Hawaiian �I .0. '- f rainforest, your visit to Volcano will be a once in a i. ®I . 1 lifetime experience. Witness the growth of an island. :4a»>" ` /.- '' , . << N ''''N' Take a nature walk & view historic architecture. Enjoy the charm of shops, galleries and restaurants. It EXPERIENCE Interact with the unique& creative community of - '" , r 74',,- artists, scientists, entrepreneurs and cultural • ►` o9-oaa • VOLCANO practitioners who will make you want to " " , �. wa° �o Experience Volcano Hawaii. "`„ 1 O`a y s `_ H awa 3 — d ,, O ',O � 9�d � a -a. 41110, To K t Ana a �► �� 0/ / Step Into An 4. • 041.11 a �� \‘‘ Map legend , �- c, �1 Upland Rainforest �aJca ,►_ mer Rim Owe 1 Ohelo Cafe Community i �� 2 Cafe Ono &Volcano Garden Arts 16 4111% tlikVO.% `L 3 Lava Rock Cafe& Kilauea General Store e0 • ' ` 4 Kilauea Lodge & Restaurant c.`�� %. � , j . • 5 Volcano Art Center Gallery Old Volcano Road 6 Thai Thai Bistro& Bar r+• 7 Volcano Winery .t r 8 Volcano Art Center Rainforest ,_ d-�, ' 9 Kilauea Kreations 30 10 2400 Fahrenheit Glass Studio N _ 11 Akatsuka Orchid Gardens „ ikt 12 KMC(Kilauea Military Camp) 13 Tuk Tuk Thai Food Wagon �' I� irVolcano Golf Course ,��_/ - �Gas Stations &General Store i National Park Entrance www.ExperienceVolcano.com "� �� •Dining& Relax #experiencevolcano _ Art, Nature& Shopping vlile Marker , www.experiencevolcano.com lot0 n iTuk Tuk Thai Food Wagon STAY iNE This fun experience will thrill your tastebuds with fresh ingredients that will have you coming Distinctive Lodges, B&B's, Vacation Rentals, Kilauea Lodge & Restaurant back for more.The servings are large and with g g hosted by who ho call Volcano home. Everyone enjoys a great meal at the historic friendly service.This location is a gem! Go to ExperienceVolcano.com/stay.o.com/stay.View a list Kilauea Lodge. Continental cuisine with a touch tuk-tukthaifood.com • (808) 747-3041 Igorof lodging options and websites. Stay, relax, shop of local flavors creates a memorable breakfast, Map No. 13 and dine. Enjoy the convenience of a village lunch, pau hana (happy hour) or dinner corridor, country stores, gas stations and a Sunday experience. Open daily 7:30am —9:00pm farmer's market. Delight in art, cultural events, the kilauealodge.com • (808) 967-7366 EXPLORE Volcano Art Center Gallery restorative beauty of nature and active outdoor Map No. 4 Votedyear afteryear as the best galleryon Hawaii! _ adventures here in Volcano, 'Ohelo Café Niaulani Rainforest Walk Hawai'i Island, this is a must see.The gallery experiencevolcano.com/stay Experience a meal inspired by fresh, local Visit one of the last old growth koa & ohia features both traditional and contemporary work ingredients, handmade cocktails, local craft rainforests.This accessible trail highlights native from over 230 local artists inspired by Hawai i s •• beers on tap, and an extensive wine list that and rare plants with cultural resources.This forest unique environment and H away Volcanoes will compliment any dinner! is an award winning example of forest restoration. rich cultural heritage. volcanoartcenter.org/rain-forest volcanoartcenter.org • (808) 967-8222 ohelocafe.com • (808) 339-7865 National Park Map No. 1 Map No. 8 Map No. 5 Akatsuka Orchid Gardens Volcano Garden Arts In May 2018 Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Lava Rock Cafe temporarily closed due to volcanic activity. Experience the beautiful atmosphere of Volcano's With over 500 blooming orchids on display, Located in a Historic Garden Estate. Over p p The National Park is now open to the public Lava Rock Café where there is something for Akatsuka's should be on your list to visit. Explore 100 contemporary artists from Hawaii contribute with access to several popular trails, exhibits everyone! We feature amazing drinks, great food, their 13,000 sq. foot showroom, tour a maze and to their "Please Touch Galleries" featuring scrumptious desserts and live music! enjoy a beautiful gift shop. exquisite gifts and fine art. and views of the amazing geological changes Happy Hours are Tuesday - Saturday 4-6pm akatsukaorchid.com • (808) 967-8234 volcanogardenarts.com • (808) 985-8979 Explore the park from the scenic summit. lavarock.cafe • (808) 967-8526 Map No. 11 Map No. 2 to the open sea. MapNo. 3 For up-to-date and detailed information on Volcano Winery Niaulani Sculpture Garden p p changing conditions, visit the website of Café Ono Wine tasting in paradise is just a sip away!Taste The dynamic interplay of sunlight, mist and rain Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This poetic, award winning natural foods café is local wines inspired by volcanic fire and the that is Volcano's variable weather, against a bountyof the island. Exoticjaboticaba andguava i nps.gov le havo nestled among the historic garden of Volcano backdrop of old growth ohia-koa rainforest, Map i Garden Arts. Great for picnics and lunches. fruit wines are featured with traditional grape provides the ideal setting for this outdoor garden. Catering is available. Serving lunch only. Don't wines that capture the playful spirit of this volcanoartcenter.org/rain-forest/sculpture-garden miss their gourmet desserts! Hawaiian paradise. Map No. 8 Visit Us O cafeono.net • (808) 985-8979 volcanowinery.com • (808) 967-7772 Explore and enjoy the Experience Volcano website Map No. 2 Map No. 7 2400° Fahrenheit for lodging, dining menus, events & more! Kilauea Kreations Visit a working studio and gallery; meet Mike Follow us on Facebook & Instagram and use Thai Thai Bistro & Bar and Misato who have been making glass for over This quaint shop has locally made crafts from #experiencevolcano to share your experiences with This family run bistro is a relaxing way to have a over 200 artists. Featuring Hawaiian quilts & our 20 years.Their studio is filled with hypnotic us and the world! drink while adding a little bit of spice to the beautiful fabric selection, we are famed for pieces of handblown glass. See for yourself why end of your day in Volcano. Enjoy an authentic their creative pieces are found in collections and ExperienceVolcano.com Thai dining experience for lunch or dinner. speciality patterns, local arts & inspirational homes worldwide. touches of cultural significance! lavalodge.com/thai-thai-bistro • (808) 967-7969 2400f.com • (808) 985-8667 kilaueakreations.com • (808) 967-80900 n Map No. 6 Map No. 9 Map No. 10