HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0739.370 2016-2018 9/Cotsndl
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COUNTY CLFR (
From: Heather Irwin COUNTY OF 1AW I
To: Council Testimony;hsca bodCE hawaii.rr.com OCTtto L
6
Subject: SHORT TERM VACATION RENTAL BILL 108 ��`� iAli il t0'
Date: Saturday,October 27,2018 11:41:16 PM
Aloha from Pahoa,
I'm not fully versed in this bill however have had discussions the impact or the loss of vacation rentals to our area.
First of all,I think the restriction and/control plans for when/where/how many of vacation rentals are a district by
district issue.Places like Oahu and Maui have seen their housing market ravished by big corporations and
international entities swooping in and buying large homes for the purpose of short term rentals.I don't believe
anyone wants to see that happen here on the big island.However I believe for Hawaii as a whole there are some
ways to prevent this,while allowing full time,part time,and Hawaiians on and off island to make to provide these
lodging options,while not ruining the housing market.
For one,restrict foreign entities and corporations from purchasing land/homes for use of any business. Is it possible,
yes.Would it take work,yes.But other countries do this with success.To help prevent this,require owner of the
short term rental to be of Hawaiian heritage,a full time island resident,or a part time resident who resides in that
particular property.This would seem to help cut down on big investors purchasing homes for the sole intent of short
term rental.As they would then have to become a tax paying citizen,or live there half of the year. Will people
attempt to find ways around it,sure.However,how many people who live here on this island own massive million
dollar homes which they use for only the purpose of short term rentals?I don't know any.I do however know
people who airBnB bedrooms on their home,small ohana's,or part time residents who rent out their home while
they're not there.None of these people are driving up the housing market.These are all humble people,just putting
food on the table and providing generally more affordable accommodations than hotels,as well as a more
personalized experience.
We are the aloha state,we should be able to welcome people into our homes and share talkstory.Teach them about
the area and educate them about the culture.They're not going to get that from the resorts or hotels.
As for Puna,what do we have for mass lodging?Do we have any hotels?We have some eco-resort accommodations
that fit a niche group,but the only somewhat standard accommodations to people down here are VRBO/AirBnB
options.If we don't have those,were do I have my family stay when they all come?30 minutes away in an
expensive hotel they can't afford?Or a lovely little house that fits them all and is the same price as the hotel?
Hawaii and officials seem so concerned with tourism,yet how can we have people enjoy Puna when there are no
places to stay or such restrictions that your average citizen can't afford to operate a small rental for such purposes.
When was taking money out of the hands of locals the right answer?We all thrive together and removing those with
small airBnB businesses,takes away tourism on our part of the island.The issue is NOT the locals.The issue is
large corporations and foreign businesses coming in and buying up multiple homes or large homes for the intent
solely to profit off the tourism.Let our local economy be those who profit.Let us be the ones who thrive...because
without us you won't have any aloha left to share when people come around.
Stop punishing the residents of the islands and put the restrictions on hotels,and big businesses who are the ones
who are creating the problem.
Mahalo
—Heather Irwin
Sent from my iPhone
Comm. No.
Ref. To: P1C, unG I
Ref. Date N V 01 2018