HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-02 PL-CCI-2024-000003 Bill 121 Jason Green Testimony From: Jason Green
To: WPCtestimonv
Subject: Urgent Call for Reevaluation of Bill 121"s Impact on Local Communities
Date: Tuesday,April 2,2024 10:43:56 AM
Chairman Dennis Lin
Windward Planning Commission
County of Hawaii
25 Aupuni St.
Unit 1502
Hilo, HI 96720
Aloha Chairman Lin,
I hope this letter finds you well.
My name is Jason Green, and I am a resident of Pahoa. I am writing to express my
concerns regarding Hawaii Bill 121 and its potential impact on our local communities. While
I agree that there is a problem with current STVR's on Big Island and understand the
intention behind the bill is to regulate short-term vacation rentals, I believe there are
significant issues that need to be addressed to ensure fairness and effectiveness.
Firstly, the bill's current form seems to overlook the importance of enforceability. Without a
clear and practical enforcement plan, the regulations may become ineffective, leading to
continued non-compliance and further issues. It is crucial that we find a balance that
respects private property rights while addressing community concerns.
Secondly, the bill appears to create inequity among property owners. It is essential that all
property owners, regardless of whether they live on or off-sight, are treated equally under
the law. This ensures fairness and prevents any undue advantage or disadvantage to
specific groups. Rules can be imposed, such as.
• Must be a resident of the state of Hawaii
• Cannot own and/or operate more than 2 STVR's in the state
• Must operate under a state registered business name & license which will also
mandate yearly business reports and utilize an existing system owned by the state
Lastly, the lack of comprehensive data to support the bill's provisions is concerning.
Without proper studies, such as an economic impact study or an affordable housing study,
it is challenging to predict the bill's effects on our community. The known impact would be:
• Vacationers will be condensed to designated accommodation areas which would
only support the large corporations.
• Small businesses (House cleaning, maintenance workers, landscaping, restaurants,
small shops, the list goes on), owned and operated by local families in our
communities, will collapse.
• Housing prices will plummet as the market will be saturated with vacant homes as
owners sell.
• Abandoned homes leave room for squatters and crime which will be difficult to
manage in an already strained Law Enforcement system.
Making informed decisions is critical to avoid unintended consequences that could harm
our local economy, housing market, and small family businesses.
Therefore, I respectfully request the Planning Commission to consider the following
recommendation:
• Recommend the removal of restrictions about where hosts live and where guests
stay, ensuring fairness for all property owners.
• Recommend streamlining the registration process to make it more accessible and
less invasive for property owners.
• Conduct an economic impact study to fully understand the bill's implications on our
community.
I believe that by addressing these concerns, we can work towards regulations that are fair,
enforceable, and beneficial to all stakeholders involved. Thank you for your time and
consideration of my requests.
Mahalo nui loa,
Jason Green
12-7200 KII NANI ST, PAHOA HI 96778
808-494-6222
iasonsgreenauma� il.com