HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-10 PL-CCI-2024-000003 Bill 121 Chris and Rachel Ah Sue From: Chris Ah Sue
To: WPCtestimony
Subject: Bill 121 E malama i ka'aina,a malama i ke kai: Upholding Hawaiian Traditions in Our Hosted Rental Practices
Date: Wednesday,April 10,2024 10:44:55 AM
Aloha Chairperson Lin and Members of the Windward Planning Commission,
We are Chris and Rachel Ah Sue, owners of Malama Solar, deeply rooted in our local
community as business owners and proud kama`aina. As proprietors of a hosted rental, we are
privileged to share the aloha spirit with malihini and kama`aina alike. We send in this
testimony to express our mana`o on various facets of Bill 121, seeking amendments that honor
our island's values and practices.
Main Concerns:
1. Quiet Hours:
The quiet hour proposal from 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. reflects a lack of alignment with the way
we live our lives and host our guests. A study from the American Institute of Community
Wellness demonstrates that culturally tailored regulations foster greater compliance and
community satisfaction. We must honor the kanaka maoli approach to evening gatherings,
which are filled with mele and 'ohana time, without fear of overregulation. 8 PM is too early
for quiet hours to begin.
2. Professional Services:
Our guests often seek ho'oponopono through lomilomi, kahi loa, and other traditional
Hawaiian healing practices. These sacred services are not mere appointments; they are cultural
exchanges that are key to our identity and the visitor experience. Bill 121 must ensure that
these practices are not inadvertently classified as `events,' thereby respecting our cultural
heritage.
3. Renter Limitations:
Our kuleana as property owners is to ensure that each guest stays within the capacity that our
`aina can support. The one-size-fits-all approach proposed in the planning director's
recommendation fails to acknowledge the diversity of properties and the importance of
ho`okipa–the Hawaiian concept of hospitality. We advocate for assessments that consider the
unique capabilities of each property, as guided by studies from the National Hospitality and
Tourism Board. Please retain and recommend the current language in Bill 121 regarding
occupancy.
Proposed Solutions:
• Delete the quiet hours section.
• Clarify definitions to safeguard traditional Hawaiian practices from being misclassified.
• Retain and recommend the current renter limitations that respects the diversity of hosted
rental properties and the concept of ho`okipa.
As kuleana holders, our goals align with those of the Planning Commission—to malama our
resources, support our economy, and uphold our cultural practices. We trust that the
Commission will carefully consider the mo`olelo shared by our community and the empirical
research available to create legislation that truly reflects the values and needs of our Hawaii
Island. Mahalo nui for your thoughtful consideration of our collective kuleana.
Me ka ha`aha`a,
Chris and Rachel Ah Sue