HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-30 Sylvia Dahlby Testimony
From: Sylvia Dahlby
To: Planning WPC Testimony
Subject: Bill 147
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026 12:13:09 PM
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Planning Commissioners,
I am a former AirBnB host in Hilo. In the last few years I have monitored the changes and
proposed regulations. With all the uncertainty, I felt compelled to shut down my business
pending the outcome. I appreciate the opportunity to provide testimony on Bill 147.
I understand the intent of this measure is to improve clarity and strengthen County
regulations. I believe we all share the goal of supporting our community and ensuring
policies are fair and effective.
I would like to share a few thoughts from my perspective as a former host.
I had been renting the downstairs basement room of the home in which I reside with my
husband for about 3 years. We needed to earn additional income and this was very helpful.
We catered mostly to kama'aina business travelers from Oahu and the Kona side, as well
as folks visiting family from the mainland or neighbor islands. My husband and I are both
retired, and with rising costs for food, gas, medical care, and other essentials, the extra
income was very helpful even though our property taxes had increased substantially.
After the Maui fires and backlash against STVRs throughout the islands, we decided to shut down the AirBnB and seek other avenues of
supplemental income. We would like to consider re-opening depending on the outcome of Bill 147.
As this bill moves forward, I respectfully ask the Council to consider how the fines and new
regulations will be enforced. I am also concerned about illegal rentals and feel the legal,
local owner-operators are being scapegoated for a larger problem in the STVR industry.
Please take a closer look at the structure of fines & penalties to ensure they are
proportional and tied to the severity of a violation, and cracking down on illegal operations
rather than being overly punitive to mom & pop, local residents just trying to make a few
extra bucks to get by..
I believe there is an opportunity to strengthen this bill by ensuring clarity, fairness, and
thoughtful implementation.
Mahalo for your time and consideration. ~Sylvia Dahlby