HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-02 PL-CCI-2024-000003 Bill 121 Alexandra Spencer Testimony From: Alexandra Spencer
To: W PCtesti mony
Subject: Bill121
Date: Tuesday,April 2,2024 4:56:11 PM
Sent from my iPad
Chairman Dennis Lin
Windward Planning Commission
County of Hawaii
25 Au uni St.
Unit 1502
Hilo, HI 96720
Aloha Chairman Lin,
There needs to be a distinction between people who own vacation
rentals en masse and who are not on site and those who live and
operate short term rentals. I was an Airbnb Superhost for 6 years in
coastal, Northern California before moving here in 2022. 1 greeted
each and every guest and prepared the space for them myself. I had
guests from all over the world. These guests came to experience the
local people, places and experiences of the area. They were not the
kind of people of people that come for the "resort life" experience.
They ate in the local restaurants, bought food at the local markets
and treasured their more intimate connection with real people and
he environment. I am a single woman in my 70's and hosting guests
was not only an enjoyable experience but it helped my financial
situation. It helped me to make my mortgage payments. I did not
get rich doing Airbnb. There are required costs of cleaning supplies,
toilet paper, paper towels, laundry supplies which require water and
electricity. I did all the cleaning to maximize my intake and also paid
for my permit as well as the taxes the state and county required.
Their was maintenance on the property as well as Internet costs for
bookings and communication. I kept a guest book that is filled with
wonderful, appreciative comments for me and my place that I
treasure. This all happened right where I lived so I wasn't forced to
take a job that required me to drive every day which was an
environmental advantage because I had a big pickup.
You need to realize that there are many people who
don't want the expensive resort experience and that short term,
hosted rentals provide a wonderful and rewarding "real" experience.
It is a win-win for everyone.... except for the hotels and resorts.
There is a place for both choices for tourists. Short term rental
owners don't get any services from the government in their area, yet
we have to pay tax and permit fees. By the way, your plan for permit
costs is unconscionable! We get no road, water, electricity
improvements that hotels and resorts get. Yet, the government
benefits because visitors spend money which increases their coffers as
well as what the host has to pay to operate. The government doesn't
have to do a damn thing! Your bill will hurt so many "little" people
and so many people who want to come to Hawaii and NOT do the
typical hotel thing. We are all tourists at some time unless we never
venture out of our own backyard. The people that want to come
here to learn and experience our island won't come if you pass this
bill. That would be sad because they are the ones who understand
"pono", who care about the culture and history..... Please don't pass
his disastrous bill!
Alexandra Spencer 92-8205 Reef Parkway. Ocean View 96737.
808 987-8344