HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-02 Elizabeth Tomaszewski Opposition Testimony
From: Lily Tomaszewski
To: Planning WPC Testimony
Subject: OPPOSE BILL 147 - Agenda Item #3 on Friday, June 5, 2026
Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 1:53:12 PM
June 2, 2026
RE: OPPOSITION to BILL 147
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members,
My name is Elizabeth Tomaszewski, and I am an owner-operator of a humble, hosted
STVR in the Fern Forest for several years.
Mahalo for the opportunity to provide testimony IN OPPOSITION to Bill 147.
What started out as a “simple registration” many, many months ago, is falling further
into a crevice of confusion and heartache for many of the good hardworking people on
this island.
At this point, and given recent “leaders” in the news, I am fully convinced we do not
have an affordable housing crisis on our island, we have a corruption in
leadership crisis on our island. It is broad and insidious and until and unless
this behind-the-scenes dealmaking and handshaking stops, our housing crisis will
continue. To blame the affordable housing crisis on STVR small business owners is
an egregious and malicious misconception.
The promise of a simple registration bill has gone awry. There is still no
registration form ready for STVR owners to register. This puts a hitch in
my giddy-up that I don’t need. What I do need is to run my business responsibly and
this means continually investing in the upkeep and maintenance of a well-run and
attractive owner-hosted STVR. It is impossible to do so while the county holds the
keys to my future by continuing with the start, stop, and revised legislation of what is
now Bill 147.
As you do your best to navigate this bill, please remember these key points:
· The fines are excessive and the code around BnB’s is especially confusing.
· The people have spoken in overwhelming opposition to this bill – and yet
the council has refused to listen and put common sense first.
· The data survey proved the economic benefits of continuing STVRs, yet the
council proceeds with it’s foolish limitations and restrictions of citizens being
allowed to run a business on their property and thus hurting the economy of
our county.
· Let’s get everybody registered – and paying their GE and TATs. This
should have happened years ago.
Your opposition to Bill 147 is necessary and urgent. Stop this bill in it’s
tracks. Advance it straight to the shredder.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Tomaszewski
808-286-7638