HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-03 PL-CCI-2024-000003 Bill 121 LeeAnne Loney Testimony From: LeeAnne Greeson Lonev
To: WPCtestimonv
Subject: Bill 121 testimony
Date: Wednesday,April 3,2024 2:59:25 PM
Aloha Chairman Lin,
I oppose bill 121. This bill will hurt local families like ourselves who are just trying to
supplement our living. Hawaii is a tourist based economy and local people should be able to
participate and benefit from this source of income just as the hotels and resorts. For many
years, we have been running a TAR in our primary residence which is on AG land. Our
homestay has allowed our family to sustain ourselves financially. Without it, we would not be
able to afford to stay in Hawaii. Like many other locals, we would be forced to move to a
more affordable place on the mainland which we do not want to do. We pay thousands dollars
every year in transient accomodation tax, general excise tax and higher property tax.
Additionally, if TARs like ours are forced to shut down, travelers who visit from all over the
world would not be able to afford to come to Hawai`i. Our guests are not the same
demographic as those who stay in resort areas and hotels. Our guests are frugile and savvy
travelers who would find alternatives places to go and spend their money. Many have told me
if they didn't have the ability to stay at a homestay like ours, they would no longer come to
Hawaii. They would travel to other tropical places which are more affordable than Hawaii. If
this bill passes and other bills aimed at shutting down hosted vacation rentals specifically
homestays, local people will suffer. Additionally, as a result, the state and counties will lose
millions of dollars in revenue from TARs. Subsequently other local people will lose their
income such as the cleaners and yard maintenance workers who depend on these TARs.
Locally owned restaurants, shops and other businesses will lose income from those who stop
coming to Hawaii. Only the wealthy will be able to afford to come to Hawaii and stay at the
resorts and hotels. They will be the ones who buy our land when we are forced to sell. Hawaii
is already becoming a place for only the wealthy. Passing this bill will not convert TARS into
long term rentals, as homes like ours are not physically set up for long term tenants. It will
force people to sell and move. This type of legislature will only benefit big industry and local
people will lose their ability to have financial independence and have to go on welfare, sell
their property to the wealthy and forced to move outside of the state. There are other ways to
help our housing shortage. Do not hurt local people who depend on this source of income;
people like ourselves who rent out of our primary residence. Thank you for your
consideration.
LeeAnne Loney