HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-16 Bill 121 Rachelle Onaka From: Rachelle Onaka
To: LPCtestimony
Subject: I STRONGLY OPPOSE BILL 121
Date: Tuesday,April 16,2024 3:03:49 PM
The Hawaii County Council's presentation of Bill 121 TAR Legislation is
intentionally misleading. They do not give the full facts on the impact of this
Bill:
1) Very limited availability of short term rentals for traveling Hawaii residents.
Local residents use short term rentals for medical stays, family sporting events,
visiting family and friends, family events, educational stays, cultural stays,
family time and vacations to enjoy all of Hawaii Island. Hotel stays are not an
affordable alternative for local residents and families can not cook their own
meals to save some money.
2) The current Draft of Bill 121 changes the minimum stay from 30 days to 180
days. This is very detrimental to needed work force housing, professionals,
specialists, remote workers. At the very least this bill should be revised back to
the current wording allowing 30 day minimum stays.
3) The council's statement that "everyone who operates a "legal" short term
rental will be able to continue to operate"; This is false!!!!
Hosted rentals are legal under the current STVR legislation. Many hosted
rentals will become "illegal" under Bill 121 and the restrictions it imposes.
4) According to State Land Use §205-4.5 Permissible uses within the
agricultural districts. Both Short term and Long Term rentals are
"illegal" uses of farm dwellings. However, Bill 121 specifically notes
the "illegal" use as short term rental but does nothing to enforce the
"illegal" use as long term rental housing for tenants that do not earn
income from agriculture.
I strongly oppose Bill 121!
This may forever limit opportunities for future generations!
Thank you,
Rachelle Onaka