HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0739.380 2016-2018 pkivacil
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From: Sioux Thompson
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To: Council Testimony mi 1�.
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Subject: Bill 108 �p{(� ocI 3 1 d l
Date: Sunday,October 28,2018 12:44:24 PM 11UU
Ladies and Gentlemen:
My family and I are frequent vacationers to the Big Island;we love it there and it feels almost like a second home to
us.I was very distressed to hear about Bill 108's language about preventing or limiting short-term housing rentals
on the island.This is our preferred way to live when we visit—it's what helps us feel like we're part of island life
and not in a sterile hotel or homogenized resort. Vacation home rentals are less expensive for us,and give us
wonderful flexibility about where(and how we stay).We have discovered that short-term home rentals allow is to
stay on the Big Island longer than if we had to stay in a hotel.Our average stay with hotel lodging is about 7 days;
our average stay in a rental has been 15 days.
House rentals allow us to experience areas of the island that aren't just on the coast where most of the reports are.
We have enjoyed living in Volcano,Hawi,Puna,and Captain Cook,in addition to Keauhou and Kohala.
House rentals also encourage us to buy food from local providers;we are more likely to go to local artists and crafts
people,local grocery stores,local restaurants—even for souvenirs—than if we were in a hotel. With a home
rental we are much more likely to do a group vacation and bring people with us as it's more affordable to bring a
whole family(with aunties,uncles and cousins).We have had friends from other islands join us in a home rental,
where they would not have come to stay in a hotel.
We have also considered buying a second home on the Big Island now that we have the flexibility work from home.
A major financial consideration for that purchase is whether we might rent the property part time for vacation rental,
which would allow us to buy a larger home than we could otherwise.With this legislation pending,our planning
will go on hold.
I'm certain the big hotels and resorts don't want the competition from home rentals,but it's I'm also certain that it's
Hawaii county that loses in this bargain.
Please reconsider the restrictive language in Bill 108!
Mahalo nui,
—Sioux Thompson
Whittier,California
Comm. No.1
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