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From: LeeAnne Greeson Lonev <br /> To: WPCtestimonv <br /> Subject: Bill 121 testimony <br /> Date: Wednesday,April 3,2024 2:59:25 PM <br /> Aloha Chairman Lin, <br /> I oppose bill 121. This bill will hurt local families like ourselves who are just trying to <br /> supplement our living. Hawaii is a tourist based economy and local people should be able to <br /> participate and benefit from this source of income just as the hotels and resorts. For many <br /> years, we have been running a TAR in our primary residence which is on AG land. Our <br /> homestay has allowed our family to sustain ourselves financially. Without it, we would not be <br /> able to afford to stay in Hawaii. Like many other locals, we would be forced to move to a <br /> more affordable place on the mainland which we do not want to do. We pay thousands dollars <br /> every year in transient accomodation tax, general excise tax and higher property tax. <br /> Additionally, if TARs like ours are forced to shut down, travelers who visit from all over the <br /> world would not be able to afford to come to Hawai`i. Our guests are not the same <br /> demographic as those who stay in resort areas and hotels. Our guests are frugile and savvy <br /> travelers who would find alternatives places to go and spend their money. Many have told me <br /> if they didn't have the ability to stay at a homestay like ours, they would no longer come to <br /> Hawaii. They would travel to other tropical places which are more affordable than Hawaii. If <br /> this bill passes and other bills aimed at shutting down hosted vacation rentals specifically <br /> homestays, local people will suffer. Additionally, as a result, the state and counties will lose <br /> millions of dollars in revenue from TARs. Subsequently other local people will lose their <br /> income such as the cleaners and yard maintenance workers who depend on these TARs. <br /> Locally owned restaurants, shops and other businesses will lose income from those who stop <br /> coming to Hawaii. Only the wealthy will be able to afford to come to Hawaii and stay at the <br /> resorts and hotels. They will be the ones who buy our land when we are forced to sell. Hawaii <br /> is already becoming a place for only the wealthy. Passing this bill will not convert TARS into <br /> long term rentals, as homes like ours are not physically set up for long term tenants. It will <br /> force people to sell and move. This type of legislature will only benefit big industry and local <br /> people will lose their ability to have financial independence and have to go on welfare, sell <br /> their property to the wealthy and forced to move outside of the state. There are other ways to <br /> help our housing shortage. Do not hurt local people who depend on this source of income; <br /> people like ourselves who rent out of our primary residence. Thank you for your <br /> consideration. <br /> LeeAnne Loney <br />