HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0739.367 2016-2018 COU !TY CLEF K' PCOIC:KINICHNI
COUNTY OF HAWAII
From: Jessica Gauthier
To: Council Testimony VII8 NOV _ I Atl 10: 28
Cc: Andreea Grigore w
Subject: Bill 108 testimony: Hamakua needs Vacation Rental industry to support Village life
Date: Wednesday,October 31,2018 1:00:47 PM
Aloha Honorable Hawaii County Councilpersons,
As a licensed Realtor and professional manager of short term rentals in east Hawaii, I have
been closely following the drafts of Bill 108. I appreciate the monumental task you have in
crafting a Bill that regulates this industry while also insuring our island gives individual
property owners control over how they use their real property. I am disheartened by the tenor
of the arguments against the vacation rental industry as my experience for over 10 years has
been very positive and community building.
I currently manage 9 whole home rentals form Hilo to Honokaa on the Hamakua Coast. I am
aware that the Hamakua Community Development Plan specifically SUPPORTS vacatioi rentals as Village Tourism. This should not be ignored! All of these properties will conform
to the process for non-conforming use permits in Draft 5, however there needs to be a process'
for adding new VRs as these go away through natural attrition. The homes I manage are NOT
owned by corporations. Without exposing the names of my clients they are:
1. A retired Hilo attorney and his wife renting their historic, family home so that they can
keep it in the family and enjoy it with family between vacation guests. The income
from the VR maintains the property
2. A Hilo entertainer who travels most of the year and rents her home between visits.
3. A couple from Seattle who bought and renovated their oceanfront dream home in
Laupahoehoe and rent it until they can retire here in a few years.
4. A couple in Hakalau who rent two additional houses on the property next door to their
principle residence (separate TMK). They also grow crops on this property and support
local agri-business.
5. A couple from California who share their oceanfront vacation home (which they enjoy
several times a year) in Keaau with family visitors and vacation tourists.
6. A retired teacher from Honolulu who rents the portion of her home near Honokaa that
she doesn't live in.
7. A Hilo doctor who had to move to the mainland for a few years for his job. He got so
badly burned by renting his home long term in the past that TWICE he had to evict
long-term tenants after months of non-payment of rent. His home is also oceanfront and
enjoyed thoroughly by vacation rental guests. He will move back one day in the near
future. VR income allows him to be a good neighbor and keep his property well-
maintained and occupied.
8. An attorney from Texas who shares his oceanfront home in Ookala with his employees
as a work retreat. I manage it between his use and guests LOVE the quiet privacy of his
estate.
In over 10 years of managing literally thousands of visitors to our island I have had fewer than
10 complaints from neighbors, all of which were handled quickly. As a real estate licensee I
insure that rules, quiet hours, building code, parking,maximum occupancy, emergency plans
etc are all in compliance. TA and GE taxes are collected and paid. I makea comfortable
living and am the primary supporter for my family of three living in Paukaa including my
daughter who attends Hilo High School and my husband a disabled Veteran. My income and
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Ref. DateNOV 01 2018
flexible schedule allow me to volunteer in my community which I do as the President of
HawaiiCon, a locally run STEAM education organization. The housekeeping company I
employ ONLY cleans VR properties and does a magnificent job. Their 7 employees are able
to live and work CLOSE TO HOME avoiding excess driving, stress to their families and our
roads. This industry is a GREAT PROFESSION! Our guests support dozens, if not hundreds,
of local businesses... Mr Ed's Bakery in Honomu, Papaaloa Country Store, Low Store in
Pepeekeo, Hilo restaurants, shops, artists, tour companies and museums.... the list goes on and
on and on! The property owners give jobs to managers, housekeepers, contractors, building
supply stores, landscapers, pest control companies.... another long list of locals POSITIVELY
affected by this business. We all share ALOHA and the flow of commerce with neighbors and
visitors alike in a low-impact and sustainable business model.
I request that you MUST include a process in which new vacation rentals can be added
in -conforming . Hamakua Eindustry support
villagethefuture life. Oinnlynon allowing existingareaswhole home rentalsNEDS andthis no new ones to WILL lead to
attrition and the loss of this valuable asset to east Hawai'i.
Aloha and Mahalo,
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