HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-15 Bill 121 Stewart Nava From: Son Stewart
To: LPCtestimony
Subject: Request for Consideration: Impact of Bill 121 on Hardworking Residents
Date: Monday,April 15,2024 3:27:06 PM
Aloha Chairperson Lin & Commission Members,
I am writing to you today as a hardworking resident of the Big Island,where the
cost of living is notably high. Bill 121, as it stands, threatens my ability to maintain
a stable financial situation. This letter is a plea for the commission to reconsider
aspects of the bill that disproportionately affect individuals like myself,who rely
on short-term rentals as a secondary source of income.
The requirement for property owners to navigate complex registration processes,
including the provision of dimensioned drawings and the disclosure of private
home details, is not only invasive but also burdensome. It places an undue strain
on homeowners who are already stretched thin by the demands of their primary
occupations and the high cost of living in Hawai'i.
Moreover,the bill's restrictions on where hosts and guests can reside relative to
each other are overly restrictive. For those of us who live on the same property as
our rental units, dictating where we can and cannot sleep within our own homes is
an overreach that infringes on our rights as property owners.
I respectfully request that the Planning Commission consider the following
recommendations to make Bill 121 more equitable for all residents of Hawai'i
County:
Streamline the registration process for short-term rentals and eliminate invasive
requirements.
Remove 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.
Conduct an economic impact study to fully understand the implications of this bill
on homeowners who depend on short-term rentals for supplementary income.
These changes would not only alleviate the burden on homeowners like myself but
also ensure that the spirit of aloha and the welcoming nature of our island
community are preserved.
Thank you for considering my perspective on this matter. I believe that with
thoughtful amendments, Bill 121 can better serve the interests of all Hawai'i
County residents.
Mahalo nui loa,
Stewart Nava
Kailua- Kona