HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-25 Kalia Naia Testimony
From: Kalia Naia
To: Planning LPC Testimony
Subject: Fw: testimony bill 147 6/30/2026
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026 9:39:53 PM
Aloha Council Members,
I am writing as a Hawaiʻi Island resident, taxpayer, and small business owner to ask for your support for fair treatment who has had a hosted vacation rental for many years.
I am one of many local residents, families, farmers, and small business owners who live here, work here, pay taxes here, and depend on my vacation rental to be able to remain in Hawaiʻi. I built my home 23 years ago and have been a island resident 33 years. I do not feel I should be regulated the same as l absentee-owned commercial operations.
The County's own economic impact study confirmed what many of us already knew. Visitor accommodations generate significant tax revenue, bring visitors who support local restaurants and businesses, sustain thousands of local jobs, and keep millions of dollars circulating throughout our island's economy. The study also found that further restricting vacation rentals would do little to increase the supply of long-term housing. This has been known and then confirmed in the Study done by the Hunden Partners.
My small vacation rental helps me to afford rising property taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance. It supports cleaners, landscapers, contractors, activity providers, and countless other local businesses that depend on a healthy visitor economy.
I support reasonable regulation and registration. I have been paying GET and TAT taxes for many years, which have gone UP more than 6% from when I started. There have been zero complaints about my business and my neighbors are very supportive.
So far the bills written along the way have been incredibly complicated and felt hostile when I do not feel that is productive or fair.
I ask that the County recognize that Most of us are doing a very good thing and created our small business to help us survive how expensive it has become to live here. My taxes have gone from $3,000 a year to over $7,000. Water has gone up as has electricity and of course food and gas. I am 77 years old and this has been a very creative and rewarding business for me in so many ways.
I live on state ag land which is a bit of a joke as this is designated desert with less than 10" yearly rainfall. Water is very expensive and its much more a neighborhood situation. It really does not make sense to me that its been allowable for years to make my living this way and then after I have invested a lot of hard work, money and energy to make my yard beautiful for my guests and then be told I may not be able to continue. I do think there could be a grandfather clause for those of us in this situation.
There needs to be more support for small business for this island to thrive.
I am simply asking for the opportunity to continue participating in Hawaiʻi Island's visitor economy under reasonable regulations that recognize the need for this industry. Not ONE of my guests would come to the island if they are forced to be in a resort owned condo or resort. There are people that CHOOSE that type of vacation and there are MANY people who do not. I truly feel you will be amazed at how it would hurt the visitor industry if many of us cannot continue.
Mahalo for your time, your service, and your consideration.