HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-23 Justin Cleveland Opposition TestimonyFrom: Justin Cleveland
To: Planning LPC Testimony
Subject: Oppose 147
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 2:36:49 PM
I just wanted to write in to oppose bill 147.
I do believe in paying TAT, GE and permits to run and operate a STVR hosted or unhosted. The government should
not be able to dictate what you do with your property when it comes to use. Some people need to rent their house or
part of their house to make ends meet or for other reasons.
Hawaii relies on tourists to come to the island to spend money on food, family outings and other tourist attractions.
This money supports local wages to help stimulate the local economy. Keep in mind that most visitors to the island
do not want to stay in hotels as they want privacy with heir family members. I am sure you travel, would you rather
stay in a tight hotel room or a rental property with another person in the house. Of course not! So why would a
tourist to the island want that.
Make the process easy to get a permit. Make sure the laws are being met with regards to safety and things like that.
Why do you care if it is hosted or not? Why do you care if it is on at land? That should not matter. What matters is
people are paying their taxes and making sure guests are safe and happy. Hawaii is the Aloha state, start acting like
it and show some Aloha spirit and stop trying to be difficult. You should also investigate all the people taking
money from the hotel chains and remove them from
Their positions.
Eliminating STVRs WILL negatively affect the local economy. Just think of all the house cleaners, pool people,
general maintenance, gardeners etc… their income will be drastically cut. These are small businesses trying to make
it. Less tourism with also make local business suffer or close down. Local restaurants will close. Alii drive already
looks like a ghost town. That is because lack of tourists. I fault the county government for this. You are fine with
cruise ships but you need longer term revenue streams.
Let’s embrace tourists and develop a proper plan that generates more jobs, more tourism revenue, raises more taxes
for local government and infrastructure. Keeps small businesses from closing. It can be done but not with this
horrendous bill. The answer is to let owners register, make them pay taxes, do not limit where they can have guests,
make sure properties are safe.
Mahalo,
Justin Cleveland
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