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From: Rachelle Onaka <br /> To: LPCtestimony <br /> Subject: I STRONGLY OPPOSE BILL 121 <br /> Date: Tuesday,April 16,2024 3:03:49 PM <br /> The Hawaii County Council's presentation of Bill 121 TAR Legislation is <br /> intentionally misleading. They do not give the full facts on the impact of this <br /> Bill: <br /> 1) Very limited availability of short term rentals for traveling Hawaii residents. <br /> Local residents use short term rentals for medical stays, family sporting events, <br /> visiting family and friends, family events, educational stays, cultural stays, <br /> family time and vacations to enjoy all of Hawaii Island. Hotel stays are not an <br /> affordable alternative for local residents and families can not cook their own <br /> meals to save some money. <br /> 2) The current Draft of Bill 121 changes the minimum stay from 30 days to 180 <br /> days. This is very detrimental to needed work force housing, professionals, <br /> specialists, remote workers. At the very least this bill should be revised back to <br /> the current wording allowing 30 day minimum stays. <br /> 3) The council's statement that "everyone who operates a "legal" short term <br /> rental will be able to continue to operate"; This is false!!!! <br /> Hosted rentals are legal under the current STVR legislation. Many hosted <br /> rentals will become "illegal" under Bill 121 and the restrictions it imposes. <br /> 4) According to State Land Use §205-4.5 Permissible uses within the <br /> agricultural districts. Both Short term and Long Term rentals are <br /> "illegal" uses of farm dwellings. However, Bill 121 specifically notes <br /> the "illegal" use as short term rental but does nothing to enforce the <br /> "illegal" use as long term rental housing for tenants that do not earn <br /> income from agriculture. <br /> I strongly oppose Bill 121! <br /> This may forever limit opportunities for future generations! <br /> Thank you, <br /> Rachelle Onaka <br />