HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-31 PL-CCI-2024-000003 Bill 121 Doug Howell Testimony From: Doug Howell
To: WPCtestimony
Subject: Why Bill 121 is the wrong approach
Date: Sunday,March 31,2024 6:45:47 AM
To: Chairman Dennis Lin Windward
Planning Commission County of Hawaii
25 Aupuni St. Unit 1502
Hilo, HI 96720
Aloha, Chairman Lin,
I am writing to express my concerns about Hawaii Bill 121 and its potential impact on our
local communities. I believe the proposed regulations are a knee-jerk reaction which will
not solve the main problem, which I see as affordability. The far-reaching implications of
these laws have not been fully considered, and if passed, would be a tragedy for our
county and its diverse residents.
As a resident of Kea'au, I have witnessed firsthand the benefits that short-term rentals
bring to Puna, not only in terms of economic growth but also in fostering a sense of aloha
and community among visitors and residents alike.
Two of my primary concerns is (1) the lack of data supporting the need for such stringent
regulations, and (2) the cost of the almost certainly resulting litigation should it become
law. It seems that the bill is being pushed forward without a thorough understanding of its
potential consequences on homeowners and the local economy. Therefore, I urge the
Planning Commission to recommend conducting an economic impact study before even
considering new regulations. This study would provide valuable insights into how Bill 121
could affect our community and allow for more informed decision-making.
The bill's proposed requirements, such as the affidavit requirement and invasive
registration processes, pose significant challenges for homeowners. These requirements
not only infringe on private property rights (making future litigation likely) but also create
unnecessary burdens for those trying to comply with the law. I believe that streamlining the
registration process and removing the affidavit requirement would be beneficial steps
towards a more equitable and manageable system.
The bill's approach to regulating where hosts live in relation to their guests is overly
restrictive and fails to consider the diverse living arrangements that exist within our
community. I recommend that the Planning Commission advocate for the removal of
restrictions about where hosts live and where guests stay, as long as the owner is in the
same building, on the same parcel, or on an adjacent parcel.
According to the legislation's own website (hicountytar.consider.it), the results are already
in. respondents overwhelmingly approve of Transient Accommodation Rentals. They
overwhelmingly disagree that TARS take away from housing opportunities. They
overwhelmingly agree that TARS add to the LOCAL economy. Please read the website you
created for the purpose of getting community feedback, and you'll see very clearly what
your constituents think about the proposed legislation.
Since one of our—and your—biggest concerns is the impact of the proposed laws on our
area's economy, please consider who benefits from the income you propose to eliminate.
In the case of Puna rentals, the income goes in large part to local service providers such as
cleaners, yard maintenance workers, handyman services, local markets and restaurants,
pest control, and the list goes on. Not to mention that visitors who stay in Puna purchase
many of their daily living necessities in Puna, in their LOCAL district, rather than adding to
the bottom line of out-of-state corporations.
Our state and county depend on tourists to survive. The rentals threatened by the TAR
legislation make up an important part of Hawaii County's tourist housing portfolio. Or
does the county only want to accept elite travelers? I have believed that Hawaii stands for
diversity, not only in race, religion and other social areas but in economic level. The visitors
who may one day make our 'ohana the strongest may be the poorest. What options will
we provide for them? What options for the agri-tourists who are drawn to Hawai'i's 'aina-
friendly environment and way of life? We should be helping our renters to become the
best renters in the world, not strangling their ability to show aloha to strangers.
We know people who are renting to Hawaii residents who are in transition and need
affordable, short-term housing. Where will they find it if this legislation passes?
Please do not pass what I consider to be a rash and overbearing legislative solution in
search of a problem.
Thank you for considering my concerns and recommendations. I hope that the Planning
Commission will take these points into account and work towards regulations that make
better sense, that are defensible in court, that do not infringe on the property rights of
citizens, that solve the problem of affordability, that support our local communities and a
healthy, vibrant tourism industry that is so crucial to Hawaii's economy and well-being.
Mahalo,
Doug Howell
15-2074 7th Ave,
Kea'au, HI 96749
734-649-9145