HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-15 Bill 121 Adrian Soucek From: Adrian S
To: LPCtestimony
Subject: Written Testimony: Bill 121/TAR transient accommodation rentals
Date: Monday,April 15,2024 2:03:44 PM
Aloha!
My name is Adrian Soucek and I am writing to testify against Bill 121/TAR for the
following reasons:
1 . Economic Impact: This bill would impose unnecessary restrictions on short-term
vacation rentals which would have a negative impact on the local economy that is
already struggling. Many homeowners (especially our kupuna) rely on the income
generated from these rentals to supplement their income. Knee-capping their ability to
rent out their properties prevents locals from participating in Hawaii's largest industry -
tourism. It also impacts all of the people they employ. When I visit other islands, I
choose to stay in vacation rentals to support our people over large corporate hotels.
Local hosts share their Aloha in a way that no resort handbook can replicate.
2. Property Rights: The bill infringes on homeowner's property rights, plain and
simple. Locals should have the freedom to decide how they want to utilize their
properties, including the option to rent them out on a short-term basis regardless of
dwelling type. We should be looking at increasing agro-tourism, not limiting it without
the option to change things in the future. It's incredibly short sighted. Imposing strict
regulations limits people's ability to make use of their properties as they see fit.
3. Monitoring Challenges: Implementing the proposed regulations would require
increased monitoring and enforcement efforts which would likely strain already limited
resources. It would be challenging to accurately track and ensure compliance with the
new regulations, leading to potential inefficiencies and allocation of unnecessary
funds.
Please vote against this measure. It does not help our economy or change our
housing situation in any significant way.
With aloha,
Adrian Soucek
Hawi, HI