HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-02 Bill 121 & Bill 122 Sam Halsted Testimony From: Sam Halsted
To: W PCtesti mony
Subject: TARS 121 122
Date: Tuesday,April 2,2024 8:01:06 AM
Aloha to Whom it may concern,
I am in opposition to the Tars build 121 and 122. I Have many friends here on the big island
who have been born and raised here running vacation rentals. As we all know the economic
environment on the big island is very challenging. Allowing locals the ability to operate a
vacation rental allows families to survive. Please do not over regulate this cottage industry
and allow only big players to have a stake in it. I believe the STVR rules set in place already
are sufficient and can adequately support what is already happening. Removing
vacation rentals will not solve the housing crisis and may possibly make it worse (for those
using it to stay in their current home). It should not be the private citizens responsibility to
solve our current housing crisis and it is definitely not short term vacation rentals causing it.
Currently our county has imposed a version of the IBC code that costs young families
THOUSANDS in unneeded building costs. There are minimum lot size requirements that
make affording land prohibitive and very little incentive for first time buyers. These issues
should be addressed first before we look at ending the income flow for so many on the big
island. Make housing attainable and people will be able to own homes!
Sam Halsted