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From: Kona Blue <br /> To: WPCtestimonv <br /> Subject: Subject: Urgent Need for Reevaluation of Bill 121"s Impact on Local Communities <br /> Date: Saturday,March 30,2024 5:09:58 PM <br /> Importance: High <br /> Chairman Dennis Lin Windward Planning Commission County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni St. Unit <br /> 1502 Hilo, HI 96720 <br /> Aloha Chairman Lin, <br /> I am writing to express my deep concerns regarding Hawaii Bill 121 and its potential <br /> impacts on our local communities, particularly in terms of enforceability, inequity, and the <br /> transformation of neighborhoods. As a owner of a single family home in Kailua Kona, I <br /> have witnessed firsthand over the last 8 years the positive contributions that short-term <br /> rentals bring to our local economy and the sense of 'ohana they foster among visitors and <br /> residents alike. <br /> However, Bill 121, as it currently stands, threatens to disrupt this balance and result in <br /> servere negative financial impact to many locals and small businesses offering services to <br /> vacational rentals and the local community alike. The bill's requirements, such as the <br /> affidavit requirement and intrusive reporting, pose significant challenges for property <br /> owners and operators, making it difficult for them to comply. This not only creates an <br /> environment of inequity but also places an undue burden on the Planning Department's <br /> staff, diverting resources from other critical areas. <br /> Moreover, the transformation of neighborhoods into exclusive zones, where only certain <br /> types of accommodations are permitted, undermines the spirit of aloha that defines our <br /> island. It restricts the ability of residents to share their homes and the beauty of Hawaii with <br /> visitors, which has long been a tradition in our communities. <br /> For this reason, I respectfully request the Planning Commission to consider the following <br /> recommendations: <br /> Remove the affidavit requirement to ease the burden on property owners and operators <br /> streamline the registration process to make it more accessible and less invasive for <br /> homeowners <br /> Remove the intrusive reporting requirements to protect the privacy and rights of property <br />