HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-11 PL-CCI-2024-000003 Bill 121 Richard Ingram From: Richard Inaram
To: LPCtestimony
Subject: Bill 121-Comment Letter 1 of 2
Date: Thursday,April 11,2024 7:25:08 PM
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments regarding proposed
Bi 11121.
1 am providing two comment letter to the Commission. This letter, the first of
two, address a specific clause in the bill that I believe should be reconsidered.
The second letter addresses how the current Bill 108 has impacted me and my
neighborhood since it's passage 5 years ago so that the Commission might
better understand and foresee the potential outcomes of providing further
regulation of vacation rentals.
Please refer to Section 25-4-16.17, Transient Accommodation Rental Operation
Standards, (2) (G) Quiet Hours. The proposed amendment to the existing law
would change quiet hours from the current 9PM to 8AM to the proposed 8PM
to 7AM.
Hawaii Administrative Rules Section 10-7, Night Regulations, regulate quiet
time noise between 10PM and 7AM. A sounder approach would rectify the
inequity resulting from the existing law and to treat all people the same — both
residents and visitors to the Island — and set the quiet hour rules to align with
the rules that the police department is asked to enforce for all of us.
The sun sets in summer in Kailua-Kona after 7 PM. Then begins twilight.
Astronomical twilight ends at darkness. During the last days in June that time is
8:29 PM for Kailua-Kona.
Sunsets in Hawaii are more than just sunsets. They are part of Hawaiian
culture. It is a time to pause, to be in awe of the natural beauty of the Island,
to give thanks, to let go of what happened during the day and to look toward a
new beginning tomorrow. The Pu blows, we stop our day and the sun sets. All
over the Island families gather on their lanai's and have their evening meal in
the twilight. They share their food and their stories of the day.
This daily ritual plays out after the sun has set. As a family we enjoy the
sunsets together and take that time to be thankful. Customarily our meal,
always eaten on the lanai, often finishes before but close to 9PM.
When I have guests staying at my home, I ask each one of them, prior to
booking their stay, if they are comfortable with, and willing to comply with
Hawaii's vacation rental laws that stipulate quiet hours between 9PM and 8AM.
If they waiver in their commitment, I don't rent to them. I indicate that for my
home, since we are in a quiet neighborhood and voices carry, that all outdoor
conversations be brought indoors by 9PM.
I believe that the existing law is discriminatory and the time should be changed
to 10PM. As a practical matter our guests can mark the end of their day with
the sunset and have their evening meal on the lanai and then head indoors by
9PM.
1 truly believe we are all guests on this special island. I remember the spirit of
those first to paddle and sail here each time I get in the va'a'. There are so
many things that make the island special to me, whether it is in the va'a' with
my club, swimming in the bay, a sunset or talking story on the lanai with my
family and friends as the day closes.
Hawaii should be fair to all people and neighborhoods should be allowed to be
a mix of things — not just homes for the retired migrants from the mainland
who think their neighborhood should be a retirement community.
Sincerely,
Richard Ingram, Owner
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