Aloha,
I fully support an immediate moratorium on visitor accommodations development. Mahalo to Committee Chair Kelly King and the CARE committee for taking this important action!
Lynn Rasmussen
From: Kristin Stahl <kristin.stahl.johnson@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 8:12 PM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Supporting the Visitor Accommodations Moratorium Bill
Dear CARE Committee Members,
I urge you to vote for the Visitor Accommodations Moratorium Bill and strongly advise the entire Council to pass it into law.
As a pre-statehood kama`aina, it grieves me so to see what has happened to our home. We may not be able to turn back the clock, but we can and must take the reigns and steer our islands to a better future than the one the visitor industry and wealthy real estate magnates offer us. Those who are not from Hawai`i consider us an international playground or, if you are wealthy enough, a wonderful place for a second (or third) home, driving prices so high that the local people, and the rich culture we represent, are lost in the economic treadmill or driven away, unable to work for a living wage or afford a roof over our heads. And how many long-time kama`ainas get to enjoy the leisure of the beaches from Kihei to Makena or West Maui in the same way we did 40 years ago? It’s impossible with all those hotel rooms peering down at you.
It is time Maui, and the rest of the state, for that matter, cast off the yoke of “plantation mentality” and recognize the diversity of opportunities we have to build a strong, local economy independent of the tourist “industry.” We should be investing our resources in real opportunities for local people, not being overwhelmed by ever-larger crowds of people from all over the world and playing catch up with the problems the untethered growth and destruction tourism has wrought – destruction of our reefs and coastal waters, the air we breathe, limits to water resources, open spaces and beautiful beaches, crowded highways. The list goes on. And all of that without adequately compensating for these impacts or supporting our local needs for vital infrastructure and the health and safety concerns for our families and loved ones. The Aloha spirit doesn’t mean we become “lesser than” the people we are welcoming.
We need vision and focus on the world beyond tourism. Visitors will always come. Let us welcome them with more than Vanda orchid leis and a hotel bill. If travelers had to contend with limited access but high quality experience, they may learn to value our home as much as we do.
As we know, Covid-19 has not only tested out resiliency and exposed the deep divisions and vulnerabilities in our community, it has allowed us to draw a line in the sand and say “No More!” We now remember what it means to breath without the crowds of “stranger” energy impacting the very way we breathe. We can have a different vision of Maui’s future, a resilient economy not upended by major international crises, ready and responsive to climate change. For too long our addiction to tourism has undermined the long term health of the island and its people. Let’s channel all that construction and technology talent that opponents to this bill wave at us into projects that make us self-sufficient, and an exporter of value-added products. Hemp production and its myriad spin off technologies is just one of many opportunities we can grasp.
The mantras of “Jobs” and “Progress” for construction and hotel workers are full of well-worn broken promises. We need real, localized economy. We do not need more, cheap hotel rooms for the Visitor Industry which has already exceeded the ecological limits of our `aina. We need to spend time and resources in balancing our behaviors and creating a vibrant and sustainable Maui economy into the future.
Our keiki will honor us for our courage and vision in taking a new road defined by pono and lokahi.
Please establish a moratorium on new visitor accommodations for the entire County until we can rise above petty politics and lay out a unified plan of what Maui’s future really needs. Right now we need vision, courage and strength.
From: MJ Duberstein <mjduberstein@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 5:48 PM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Moratorium vote—YES PLEASE
Aloha again
Once again I ask you to support Councilmember King’s proposal for an immediate moratorium on hotel & resort construction.
Don’t let this vote come down to a battle between the folks on one hand worried about unlimited numbers of tourists putting severe new pressures upon our already limited infrastructure and natural resources, and, on the other, developers and building trade unions.
There already are a long list of other job for union workers and all of us recognize the immediate need for workforce and affordable housing—and especially conversion of old unused buildings into such housing.
A moratorium is just that—a limit that you control. Please vote for it.
Mahalo, malama pono, malama aina.
Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono
From: Karin Frost <karin@kfendeavors.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 2:08 PM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: In support of the Moratorium on New Visitor Accommodations
Aloha Mai Kakou,
I SUPPORT the proposed “MORATORIUM ON BUILDING PERMITS FOR VISITOR ACCOMMODATIONS (IT-54)”.
Please take my voice into consideration as you deliberate and decide on the future of our island.
Mahalo nui,
Karin Frost
Designer and Founder of Ergobaby
Founder of the Frost Family Foundation
www.frostfamilyfoundation.org
Partner in Hōkūnui Maui
www.hokunui.com
Board Member of Happy Baby
www.happybaby.org
From: J Kahala Chrupalyk <kahala.alohaaina@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 2:10 PM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Visitor Accommodations Moratorium
Aloha e Kōmike Climate Action, Resilience, and Environment,
I am in favor of this moratorium for the reasons listed below:
1. Our Aquifers could use a rest from the construction industry
2. Our burials could use some rest from being dug up to accommodate tourism
3. Our hotels are not even operating at full capacity, so why make more?
4. People keep on fighting for affordable housing, when it sells mainly to those who are moving here, but not to the people.
5. Our natural resources are facing depletion - and our natural resources are exactly what makes Hawaiʻi the paradise that tourists want to see.
Lastly, tourism only makes up 21% of the stateʻs economy. Donʻt let them fool you into believing that we will all die without tourism. We will all die if the barge stops coming, so letʻs work on internalizing and diversifying our economy through increased exports from our agricultural industry. For example, rubber trees are not from here and need to be removed. Rubber products such as latex gloves could be manufactured from the trees. Each tree can give upto 15 years of strong rubber production. Albizia trees are great for production and are in the MISC invasive list. They could be harvested for plywood production as well as some other products.
There are plenty ways to boost our local economy without the burdens of tourism. So many tourists moved here during Covid, that 70% of our local real estate sold to out-of-state buyers during Covid. But our own tax-paying voters/citizens are having trouble keeping a home. What does that say? Let the Voice of the People with open eyes be heard. We live here. We see both the problems and solutions.
From: Lila Sherman <info@email.actionnetwork.org>
Sent: Friday, May 21, 2021 4:23 PM
To: Kelly King <Kelly.King@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Vote No on County Communication 21-232
Kelly King,
Councilmember,
As our economy begins to recover from the pandemic, we must look for new ways to make housing more affordable, build economic opportunity for the middle class, and enable much-needed investments in education and elder care.
County Communication 21-232, a bill placing a moratorium on creating havoc on Maui will help all of the above become reality-- without overcrowding Maui
I urge you to vote YES on County Communication 21-232 and honor Maui's residents, ocean, beaches, traffic, and most of all future.
Lila Sherman
From: Jo <somaybe124@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2021 9:24 AM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: No more short term rentals
The goal of our visitor industry is 'to have fewer people spending more money', using fewer resources, leaving a small footprint. We need to create an exclusive, select, elegant, world class destination. Building more, cheaper places to accommodate hoards of people with fewer dollars to spend is the wrong direction. We are at a tipping point of capacity. Correct this ratio now, before Maui becomes a theme park called 'Hawaii'. ‘Generica America'.
A smaller, luxury, first class industry will create worldwide demand. Thus creating more jobs with a better ratio of service employee per visitor.
We must achieve sustainable tourism. Construction is not a sustainable industry. Short sighted. Once the land is built out, crawling with people/traffic, our Hawaii will be gone.
Please Keep Maui Maui!
From: Balanced Books Maui <balancedbooksmaui@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 1:46 PM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: In SUPPORT of the Moratorium on New Visitor Accommodations
Aloha,
I am a life-long resident of Maui. My family has lived on the island since 1883 and my daughter is the 6th generation.
2020 was an interesting year for us all. Though there were (and still are) many restrictions that are frustrating, it was also an opportunity for the island to rest and the people who live here to enjoy the peace of how it used to be. There is no doubt tourism creates an economic boost to the residents, but since October 15, 2020 it has gotten WAY out of hand. The amount of tourists and new residents is appalling and disgusting to say the least. The energy of the island has shifted, and not in a positive way. The traffic is horrific. The disrespect and entitlement these people bring is ridiculous. Those of us who have called this island home for years have worked hard and struggled to do so. We are frustrated, angry and are being pushed out by ever increasing rent and cash buyers from the mainland. Enough.
The islands and the people who have called Hawaii home for GENERATIONS need to be respected and protected. I fully SUPPORT the Moratorium on New Visitor Accommodations and hope this will cover ALL OF MAUI COUNTY.
It’s time to find new economic solutions and work on RESPONSIBLE tourism, not this “free for all” – as long as you have money. Let’s educate our visitors and create interactive programs that RESTORE the reefs and forests. Get rid of detrimental sunscreens. Ban single-use plastics. If we can require every visitor to complete “health information” on a website, we can require all visitors to complete an “educational briefing” and pay to access certain areas of the island. We need to protect this beautiful place we call home, before it isn’t so beautiful anymore.
From: Stephen Hynson <stephenhynson@europa.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2021 10:04 AM
To: Kelly King <Kelly.King@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Moratorium
Ms. King - Bravo on your editorial. It is way past time to bring the visitor industry into compliance with the Maui County general plan, a policy document that is the collaborative expression of the wishes of Maui residents. (And thank you for helping to move the zipline ordinance forward)
From: Roy Dunn <r.dunn3@icloud.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2021 10:17 AM
To: Kelly King <Kelly.King@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Tourism
Kelly
I just wanted to write you a note of support for your proposed moratorium on new visitor development. You’re absolutely correct in that we discussed this opportunity during to pandemic slow down but now that we’ve moved past that it seems we’re intent to go back to all our old bad business habits.
I write to you as a guy who’s spent 35 years on Maui in the restaurant business so it’s not as if I don’t appreciate the need for tourism. It’s just our “anything goes” approach has about destroyed our residential communities, beaches, roads and thus the quality of life of Maui residents.
Ironically Maui News ran the zip line story the same day as yours. Neighbors are complaining of the excess noise and traffic these types of businesses bring to an otherwise residential area. Vacation rentals are just as bad at destroying the peace and quiet of our neighborhoods for the financial benefit of one person while also denying long term rentals to our residents.
Our resorts have plenty of rooms and activities to support the island’s tourism and we need to allow them the business opportunity they invested in. Our Mayor briefly spoke of Maui focusing on the higher end traveler and I agree that’s where Maui should be. The vacation rentals and time share are the two biggest contributors to our crowds while providing little revenue to anyone but their property developer. Unfortunately you’re going to have major pushback on your ideas by our local realtors and property management companies because of their greed.
Thank you for standing up for the quality of life the residents of Maui really are looking for
From: Frank Oliveto <info@email.actionnetwork.org>
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2021 8:20 AM
To: Kelly King <Kelly.King@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Vote No on County Communication 21-232
Kelly King,
Councilmember,
As our economy begins to recover from the pandemic, we must look for new ways to make housing more affordable, build economic opportunity for the middle class, and enable much-needed investments in education and elder care.
County Communication 21-232, a bill placing a moratorium on visitor accommodation will only halt our economic growth and lead to fewer jobs and higher unemployment.
I urge you to vote NO on County Communication 21-232 and instead invest in policies that will create greater economic opportunities for people to stay and thrive here in Hawai‘i AND protect the quality of life that we all cherish.
Thank you
Frank Oliveto
Sunburnfrank@gmail.com
1215s.Kihei rd suite o
Kihei,Hawaii, Hawaii 96753
From: Patricia Cadiz <pbc5@mac.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2021 7:46 AM
To: Kelly King <Kelly.King@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Visitor Accommodations moratorium
Aloha Kelly,
I want to thank you for your editorial explaining the visitor accommodations moratorium which I support. I do think that it should be island wide though- not just west and south Maui - otherwise we will surely see more visitor accommodations built in North and East Maui - by example the proposed Kanaha Hotel near Costco.
I’d like to ask your opinion on another idea that is circulating. In Tahiti there is an environmental impact fee accessed on each arriving airline seat (or maybe every rental car seat?). This has two advantages. 1. If high enough it raises the cost of entry such that the income demographic of visitors would surely be higher. 2. It would create a sizable budget for environmental protections. My suggestion would include that residents would get a full tax credit for fees paid. That separates tax paying residents from those who pay their taxes in another state. Could we do this for our county - not have to be statewide?
Also, I am particularly bothered by the emergence of rentals of tents/camping gear and mobile camping vehicles. The supply of visitor camping vehicles exceeds the supply of legal camping sites. This is a problem on many levels. Including displacement of camping opportunity for residents and environmental impacts as these mobile campers are encouraged to stay remote places that don’t have facilities for their biological needs. What can be done to limit the proliferation of Airbnb type camper vehicles? One option might be to require an Environmental Assessment for anyone advertising camping vehicle rentals.
I would appreciate your support of a new vision of tourism and would like to hear your thoughts on my three suggestions herein.
1. Expand visitor accommodations moratorium to island-wide.
2. Environmental impact fee
3. Require an EA for any vehicle camping rental business.
From: Mike Moran <mmmmahalo2000@aol.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 12:10 PM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Cc: ktkmaui@me.com
Subject: Continued support for both Care 47 and 50
Aloha Chair King and CARE committee members. Mike Moran for the Kihei Community Association in support of both items on the agenda for 5/25/21
We just want to restate for the record that our all volunteer unfunded. non-profit. community membership organization continues to stand in support of both items on the agenda for 5/25/21.
All indications are that South Maui district is already at pre pandemic levels this month. In spite of so much talk about improvements and modifications in this matter throughout 2020, we see it was nothing but talk.
Please continue to be the entity that goes beyond talk to action and move ahead on these two bills before the situation not only does not improve but worsens for our community.
From: Sue <mauisue1@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 11:05 AM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: MORATORIUM ON BUILDING PERMITS FOR VISITOR ACCOMMODATIONS (IT-54
Aloha,
The first line from Maui Tomorrow's website about this issue sums it up pretty well: "Tourism on Maui has passed the point where it is serving residents, and is now negatively affecting our quality of life."
The moratorium on building permits for visitor accommodations should include all of Maui County.
I STRONGLY support this moratorium. As a forty year resident of Maui I have seen our quality of life decline in direct correlation to the increasing visitor count. Our roads, our parks, our beaches, our campgrounds, all are overcrowded and leave little room for local folks. Without local people, there would be NO VISITOR industry. Seemingly, the corporations making big bucks off of tourism don't care very much about the quality of life for the people helping them to make all that money.
From: Madolin Wells <wellsmadolin@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 10:03 AM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Moratorium on new resort building
Aloha Care Committee and County Council Members,
Who would ever have imagined that a global pandemic would provide the opportunity for Maui to re-think and review its visitor policies and over-reliance on tourism. The destruction of our local ecosystems, faltering infrastructure, negative impact on residents, and lack of enough decent-paying jobs are all urgent factors that must be addressed. It isn’t possible to do so without a pause in new resort building. What we have seen is the degradation of the tourist experience as well as harmful impact on locals. We need quality over quantity. Many other resort islands and communities have done just that, for example focusing on eco-tourism so that visitors can learn about the culture and ecosystems, and make a positive contribution to it during their stay. These are the kinds of visitors we could welcome.
We also need the opportunity to consider other income streams than the monopolistic hold tourism has here in Maui. No banking investor in their right mind would put all the eggs in one basket. Neither should Maui.
From: Susan Douglas <sd3@hawaii.rr.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2021 12:01 PM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: SUPPORT the Moratorium on New Visitor Accommodations
Aloha, When I moved here in 1983, the boy scouts did an experiment regarding the traffic on S. Kihei Rd. They counted the cars that went by in one day and counted 11,000. That poor potholed road probably handles way more today. We need more focus on residents’ and the island’s needs, not more visitor accommodations.
Warmest Mahalo and Aloha!
Susan Douglas
Writer & Healthy Life Coach, by Donation
Temple of the Spirit (Our Body Is the Temple of our Spirit)
Kihei, Maui, HI 96753
From: Maha Conyers <info@mahanaweddingsmaui.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2021 6:02 PM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: support moratorium
Aloha,
Please support the moratorium on building permits for visitor accommodation. We need wise guidance to ensure that our island keeps its natural resources and prevents overcrowding of tourists the way we have unfortunately seen lately.
Thank you for your kokua,
From: Teresa Ernest <teresajo@hawaii.rr.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2021 9:58 AM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Moratorium on Vacation Rentals
I am in complete support of the moratorium being proposed by Kelly King. A pause is exactly what we need right now to achieve a balance between tourism and the health of our beautiful Island.
Testimonies Received from CARE Committee
Aloha,
I fully support an immediate moratorium on visitor accommodations development. Mahalo to Committee Chair Kelly King and the CARE committee for taking this important action!
Lynn Rasmussen
From: Lucrezia Oddie <lucreziacreation@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2021 12:56 PM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: visitor accommodation
Aloha.
Please support a moratorium on building permits for visitor accommodation.
Sincerely,
Lucrezia Oddie
From: Kristin Stahl <kristin.stahl.johnson@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 8:12 PM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Supporting the Visitor Accommodations Moratorium Bill
Dear CARE Committee Members,
I urge you to vote for the Visitor Accommodations Moratorium Bill and strongly advise the entire Council to pass it into law.
As a pre-statehood kama`aina, it grieves me so to see what has happened to our home. We may not be able to turn back the clock, but we can and must take the reigns and steer our islands to a better future than the one the visitor industry and wealthy real estate magnates offer us. Those who are not from Hawai`i consider us an international playground or, if you are wealthy enough, a wonderful place for a second (or third) home, driving prices so high that the local people, and the rich culture we represent, are lost in the economic treadmill or driven away, unable to work for a living wage or afford a roof over our heads. And how many long-time kama`ainas get to enjoy the leisure of the beaches from Kihei to Makena or West Maui in the same way we did 40 years ago? It’s impossible with all those hotel rooms peering down at you.
It is time Maui, and the rest of the state, for that matter, cast off the yoke of “plantation mentality” and recognize the diversity of opportunities we have to build a strong, local economy independent of the tourist “industry.” We should be investing our resources in real opportunities for local people, not being overwhelmed by ever-larger crowds of people from all over the world and playing catch up with the problems the untethered growth and destruction tourism has wrought – destruction of our reefs and coastal waters, the air we breathe, limits to water resources, open spaces and beautiful beaches, crowded highways. The list goes on. And all of that without adequately compensating for these impacts or supporting our local needs for vital infrastructure and the health and safety concerns for our families and loved ones. The Aloha spirit doesn’t mean we become “lesser than” the people we are welcoming.
We need vision and focus on the world beyond tourism. Visitors will always come. Let us welcome them with more than Vanda orchid leis and a hotel bill. If travelers had to contend with limited access but high quality experience, they may learn to value our home as much as we do.
As we know, Covid-19 has not only tested out resiliency and exposed the deep divisions and vulnerabilities in our community, it has allowed us to draw a line in the sand and say “No More!” We now remember what it means to breath without the crowds of “stranger” energy impacting the very way we breathe. We can have a different vision of Maui’s future, a resilient economy not upended by major international crises, ready and responsive to climate change. For too long our addiction to tourism has undermined the long term health of the island and its people. Let’s channel all that construction and technology talent that opponents to this bill wave at us into projects that make us self-sufficient, and an exporter of value-added products. Hemp production and its myriad spin off technologies is just one of many opportunities we can grasp.
The mantras of “Jobs” and “Progress” for construction and hotel workers are full of well-worn broken promises. We need real, localized economy. We do not need more, cheap hotel rooms for the Visitor Industry which has already exceeded the ecological limits of our `aina. We need to spend time and resources in balancing our behaviors and creating a vibrant and sustainable Maui economy into the future.
Our keiki will honor us for our courage and vision in taking a new road defined by pono and lokahi.
Please establish a moratorium on new visitor accommodations for the entire County until we can rise above petty politics and lay out a unified plan of what Maui’s future really needs. Right now we need vision, courage and strength.
Mahalo nui loa,
Kristin Stahl-Johnson
Kula
From: MJ Duberstein <mjduberstein@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 5:48 PM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Moratorium vote—YES PLEASE
Aloha again
Once again I ask you to support Councilmember King’s proposal for an immediate moratorium on hotel & resort construction.
Don’t let this vote come down to a battle between the folks on one hand worried about unlimited numbers of tourists putting severe new pressures upon our already limited infrastructure and natural resources, and, on the other, developers and building trade unions.
There already are a long list of other job for union workers and all of us recognize the immediate need for workforce and affordable housing—and especially conversion of old unused buildings into such housing.
A moratorium is just that—a limit that you control. Please vote for it.
Mahalo, malama pono, malama aina.
Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono
From: Karin Frost <karin@kfendeavors.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 2:08 PM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: In support of the Moratorium on New Visitor Accommodations
Aloha Mai Kakou,
I SUPPORT the proposed “MORATORIUM ON BUILDING PERMITS FOR VISITOR ACCOMMODATIONS (IT-54)”.
Please take my voice into consideration as you deliberate and decide on the future of our island.
Mahalo nui,
Karin Frost
Designer and Founder of Ergobaby
Founder of the Frost Family Foundation
www.frostfamilyfoundation.org
Partner in Hōkūnui Maui
www.hokunui.com
Board Member of Happy Baby
www.happybaby.org
From: J Kahala Chrupalyk <kahala.alohaaina@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 2:10 PM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Visitor Accommodations Moratorium
Aloha e Kōmike Climate Action, Resilience, and Environment,
I am in favor of this moratorium for the reasons listed below:
1. Our Aquifers could use a rest from the construction industry
2. Our burials could use some rest from being dug up to accommodate tourism
3. Our hotels are not even operating at full capacity, so why make more?
4. People keep on fighting for affordable housing, when it sells mainly to those who are moving here, but not to the people.
5. Our natural resources are facing depletion - and our natural resources are exactly what makes Hawaiʻi the paradise that tourists want to see.
Lastly, tourism only makes up 21% of the stateʻs economy. Donʻt let them fool you into believing that we will all die without tourism. We will all die if the barge stops coming, so letʻs work on internalizing and diversifying our economy through increased exports from our agricultural industry. For example, rubber trees are not from here and need to be removed. Rubber products such as latex gloves could be manufactured from the trees. Each tree can give upto 15 years of strong rubber production. Albizia trees are great for production and are in the MISC invasive list. They could be harvested for plywood production as well as some other products.
There are plenty ways to boost our local economy without the burdens of tourism. So many tourists moved here during Covid, that 70% of our local real estate sold to out-of-state buyers during Covid. But our own tax-paying voters/citizens are having trouble keeping a home. What does that say? Let the Voice of the People with open eyes be heard. We live here. We see both the problems and solutions.
Mahalo Nui,
J Kahala Chrupalyk
_____________________
Executive Secretary
Aloha ʻĀina Party
From: Lila Sherman <info@email.actionnetwork.org>
Sent: Friday, May 21, 2021 4:23 PM
To: Kelly King <Kelly.King@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Vote No on County Communication 21-232
Kelly King,
Councilmember,
As our economy begins to recover from the pandemic, we must look for new ways to make housing more affordable, build economic opportunity for the middle class, and enable much-needed investments in education and elder care.
County Communication 21-232, a bill placing a moratorium on creating havoc on Maui will help all of the above become reality-- without overcrowding Maui
I urge you to vote YES on County Communication 21-232 and honor Maui's residents, ocean, beaches, traffic, and most of all future.
Lila Sherman
From: Jo <somaybe124@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2021 9:24 AM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: No more short term rentals
The goal of our visitor industry is 'to have fewer people spending more money', using fewer resources, leaving a small footprint. We need to create an exclusive, select, elegant, world class destination. Building more, cheaper places to accommodate hoards of people with fewer dollars to spend is the wrong direction. We are at a tipping point of capacity. Correct this ratio now, before Maui becomes a theme park called 'Hawaii'. ‘Generica America'.
A smaller, luxury, first class industry will create worldwide demand. Thus creating more jobs with a better ratio of service employee per visitor.
We must achieve sustainable tourism. Construction is not a sustainable industry. Short sighted. Once the land is built out, crawling with people/traffic, our Hawaii will be gone.
Please Keep Maui Maui!
From: Balanced Books Maui <balancedbooksmaui@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 1:46 PM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: In SUPPORT of the Moratorium on New Visitor Accommodations
Aloha,
I am a life-long resident of Maui. My family has lived on the island since 1883 and my daughter is the 6th generation.
2020 was an interesting year for us all. Though there were (and still are) many restrictions that are frustrating, it was also an opportunity for the island to rest and the people who live here to enjoy the peace of how it used to be. There is no doubt tourism creates an economic boost to the residents, but since October 15, 2020 it has gotten WAY out of hand. The amount of tourists and new residents is appalling and disgusting to say the least. The energy of the island has shifted, and not in a positive way. The traffic is horrific. The disrespect and entitlement these people bring is ridiculous. Those of us who have called this island home for years have worked hard and struggled to do so. We are frustrated, angry and are being pushed out by ever increasing rent and cash buyers from the mainland. Enough.
The islands and the people who have called Hawaii home for GENERATIONS need to be respected and protected. I fully SUPPORT the Moratorium on New Visitor Accommodations and hope this will cover ALL OF MAUI COUNTY.
It’s time to find new economic solutions and work on RESPONSIBLE tourism, not this “free for all” – as long as you have money. Let’s educate our visitors and create interactive programs that RESTORE the reefs and forests. Get rid of detrimental sunscreens. Ban single-use plastics. If we can require every visitor to complete “health information” on a website, we can require all visitors to complete an “educational briefing” and pay to access certain areas of the island. We need to protect this beautiful place we call home, before it isn’t so beautiful anymore.
Thank you,
Heather Wood
From: Stephen Hynson <stephenhynson@europa.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2021 10:04 AM
To: Kelly King <Kelly.King@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Moratorium
Ms. King - Bravo on your editorial. It is way past time to bring the visitor industry into compliance with the Maui County general plan, a policy document that is the collaborative expression of the wishes of Maui residents. (And thank you for helping to move the zipline ordinance forward)
Mahalo,
Stephen Hynson
Haiku
From: Roy Dunn <r.dunn3@icloud.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2021 10:17 AM
To: Kelly King <Kelly.King@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Tourism
Kelly
I just wanted to write you a note of support for your proposed moratorium on new visitor development. You’re absolutely correct in that we discussed this opportunity during to pandemic slow down but now that we’ve moved past that it seems we’re intent to go back to all our old bad business habits.
I write to you as a guy who’s spent 35 years on Maui in the restaurant business so it’s not as if I don’t appreciate the need for tourism. It’s just our “anything goes” approach has about destroyed our residential communities, beaches, roads and thus the quality of life of Maui residents.
Ironically Maui News ran the zip line story the same day as yours. Neighbors are complaining of the excess noise and traffic these types of businesses bring to an otherwise residential area. Vacation rentals are just as bad at destroying the peace and quiet of our neighborhoods for the financial benefit of one person while also denying long term rentals to our residents.
Our resorts have plenty of rooms and activities to support the island’s tourism and we need to allow them the business opportunity they invested in. Our Mayor briefly spoke of Maui focusing on the higher end traveler and I agree that’s where Maui should be. The vacation rentals and time share are the two biggest contributors to our crowds while providing little revenue to anyone but their property developer. Unfortunately you’re going to have major pushback on your ideas by our local realtors and property management companies because of their greed.
Thank you for standing up for the quality of life the residents of Maui really are looking for
Regards,
Roy Dunn
From: Frank Oliveto <info@email.actionnetwork.org>
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2021 8:20 AM
To: Kelly King <Kelly.King@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Vote No on County Communication 21-232
Kelly King,
Councilmember,
As our economy begins to recover from the pandemic, we must look for new ways to make housing more affordable, build economic opportunity for the middle class, and enable much-needed investments in education and elder care.
County Communication 21-232, a bill placing a moratorium on visitor accommodation will only halt our economic growth and lead to fewer jobs and higher unemployment.
I urge you to vote NO on County Communication 21-232 and instead invest in policies that will create greater economic opportunities for people to stay and thrive here in Hawai‘i AND protect the quality of life that we all cherish.
Thank you
Frank Oliveto
Sunburnfrank@gmail.com
1215s.Kihei rd suite o
Kihei,Hawaii, Hawaii 96753
From: Patricia Cadiz <pbc5@mac.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2021 7:46 AM
To: Kelly King <Kelly.King@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Visitor Accommodations moratorium
Aloha Kelly,
I want to thank you for your editorial explaining the visitor accommodations moratorium which I support. I do think that it should be island wide though- not just west and south Maui - otherwise we will surely see more visitor accommodations built in North and East Maui - by example the proposed Kanaha Hotel near Costco.
I’d like to ask your opinion on another idea that is circulating. In Tahiti there is an environmental impact fee accessed on each arriving airline seat (or maybe every rental car seat?). This has two advantages. 1. If high enough it raises the cost of entry such that the income demographic of visitors would surely be higher. 2. It would create a sizable budget for environmental protections. My suggestion would include that residents would get a full tax credit for fees paid. That separates tax paying residents from those who pay their taxes in another state. Could we do this for our county - not have to be statewide?
Also, I am particularly bothered by the emergence of rentals of tents/camping gear and mobile camping vehicles. The supply of visitor camping vehicles exceeds the supply of legal camping sites. This is a problem on many levels. Including displacement of camping opportunity for residents and environmental impacts as these mobile campers are encouraged to stay remote places that don’t have facilities for their biological needs. What can be done to limit the proliferation of Airbnb type camper vehicles? One option might be to require an Environmental Assessment for anyone advertising camping vehicle rentals.
I would appreciate your support of a new vision of tourism and would like to hear your thoughts on my three suggestions herein.
1. Expand visitor accommodations moratorium to island-wide.
2. Environmental impact fee
3. Require an EA for any vehicle camping rental business.
With appreciation,
Patti Cadiz
From: Mike Moran <mmmmahalo2000@aol.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 12:10 PM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Cc: ktkmaui@me.com
Subject: Continued support for both Care 47 and 50
Aloha Chair King and CARE committee members. Mike Moran for the Kihei Community Association in support of both items on the agenda for 5/25/21
We just want to restate for the record that our all volunteer unfunded. non-profit. community membership organization continues to stand in support of both items on the agenda for 5/25/21.
All indications are that South Maui district is already at pre pandemic levels this month. In spite of so much talk about improvements and modifications in this matter throughout 2020, we see it was nothing but talk.
Please continue to be the entity that goes beyond talk to action and move ahead on these two bills before the situation not only does not improve but worsens for our community.
Mahalo
Mike Moran
From: Sue <mauisue1@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 11:05 AM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: MORATORIUM ON BUILDING PERMITS FOR VISITOR ACCOMMODATIONS (IT-54
Aloha,
The first line from Maui Tomorrow's website about this issue sums it up pretty well: "Tourism on Maui has passed the point where it is serving residents, and is now negatively affecting our quality of life."
The moratorium on building permits for visitor accommodations should include all of Maui County.
I STRONGLY support this moratorium. As a forty year resident of Maui I have seen our quality of life decline in direct correlation to the increasing visitor count. Our roads, our parks, our beaches, our campgrounds, all are overcrowded and leave little room for local folks. Without local people, there would be NO VISITOR industry. Seemingly, the corporations making big bucks off of tourism don't care very much about the quality of life for the people helping them to make all that money.
Act now - before we reach the point of no return.
Mahalo,
Susan R Armstrong
Makawao, Hawaii
From: Madolin Wells <wellsmadolin@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 10:03 AM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Moratorium on new resort building
Aloha Care Committee and County Council Members,
Who would ever have imagined that a global pandemic would provide the opportunity for Maui to re-think and review its visitor policies and over-reliance on tourism. The destruction of our local ecosystems, faltering infrastructure, negative impact on residents, and lack of enough decent-paying jobs are all urgent factors that must be addressed. It isn’t possible to do so without a pause in new resort building. What we have seen is the degradation of the tourist experience as well as harmful impact on locals. We need quality over quantity. Many other resort islands and communities have done just that, for example focusing on eco-tourism so that visitors can learn about the culture and ecosystems, and make a positive contribution to it during their stay. These are the kinds of visitors we could welcome.
We also need the opportunity to consider other income streams than the monopolistic hold tourism has here in Maui. No banking investor in their right mind would put all the eggs in one basket. Neither should Maui.
Mahalo for your consideration.
Respectfully yours,
Madolin Wells, Kihei
From: Susan Douglas <sd3@hawaii.rr.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2021 12:01 PM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: SUPPORT the Moratorium on New Visitor Accommodations
Aloha, When I moved here in 1983, the boy scouts did an experiment regarding the traffic on S. Kihei Rd. They counted the cars that went by in one day and counted 11,000. That poor potholed road probably handles way more today. We need more focus on residents’ and the island’s needs, not more visitor accommodations.
Warmest Mahalo and Aloha!
Susan Douglas
Writer & Healthy Life Coach, by Donation
Temple of the Spirit (Our Body Is the Temple of our Spirit)
Kihei, Maui, HI 96753
From: Maha Conyers <info@mahanaweddingsmaui.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2021 6:02 PM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: support moratorium
Aloha,
Please support the moratorium on building permits for visitor accommodation. We need wise guidance to ensure that our island keeps its natural resources and prevents overcrowding of tourists the way we have unfortunately seen lately.
Thank you for your kokua,
Rev. H. Conyers
Mahana Weddings Maui
From: Teresa Ernest <teresajo@hawaii.rr.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2021 9:58 AM
To: CARE Committee <CARE.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Moratorium on Vacation Rentals
I am in complete support of the moratorium being proposed by Kelly King. A pause is exactly what we need right now to achieve a balance between tourism and the health of our beautiful Island.
Thank you,
Teresa Ernest