HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-01 Joy Dillon Opposition TestimonyFrom:Joy Dillon
To:Planning WPC Testimony
Subject:Testimony Opposed to Bill 147 for the June 5 Windward Planning Commission Meeting
Date:Monday, June 1, 2026 2:24:04 PM
Attachments:Oppose Bill 147 - JD Testimony.pdf
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony. I will also be testifying via Zoom at the
beginning of the meeting.
Joy Dillon
808-640-2544 Cell
joy@joydillon.com
Windward Planning Commission Meeting
Friday, June 5, 2026
9:00 AM
Hilo Hawaii County Council Chambers
Testimony – Opposed to Bill 147
Aloha, Chair, Vice Chair and members of the Windward Planning Commission.
My name is Joy Dillon and I am testifying as a private citizen, opposed to Bill 147 in its current form.
Although I appreciate the Council’s attempt to clarify terms regarding short term vacation rentals, this bill
actually generates more confusion.
Bill 147 repeals and replaces sections of the code under which existing rentals of 31-179 days that have
been operating lawfully. It is not clear whether the ones currently operating legally are grandfathered in.
Clarification is needed.
B&B owners already went through a lengthy and costly process to obtain their permits. It is not clear if
these B&B’s with a Special Use Permit are grandfathered in. Clarification is needed.
Fines are punitive rather than corrective. The amounts of the fines are not sustainable for the majority of
TVR owners and need to be reduced to reasonable amounts. Clarification is needed that fines apply only
to TVR violations and not to other possible Chapter 25 code violations, like noise.
Regarding B&Bs on Ag Land – the B&B host must live in the same farm dwelling as the B&B and can no
longer live in the additional farm dwelling. Why? What possible benefit to the County does this create?
This is just another example of the County’s overreach and interference in private property rights. This
should be removed from the bill.
The many references to the amending, deleting and adding sections and wording of Chapter 25 is
overwhelming and beyond the average citizen’s available time to research. I myself spent several hours
accessing the sections of the code to compare current language to the proposed language. Bills that
affect the public should be easy to understand and research.
Please send this bill back to the Council for more clarification and changes that are acceptable to the
public that they serve.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony.
Joy Dillon
Joy Dillon
Hilo Resident