Mahalo for addressing problems with the current STRH and B&B regulations. I support most of the changes and am hopeful you will consider the needs of constituents other than the tourism industry, realtors and government agencies. Whatʻs missing is input supporting the needs of the general homeless and residents trying to find affordable housing. It appears neither had any input into this change, and neither is notified when a B&B or STRH application is made. These populations are affected when property values rise due to this added earning capacity of the property, as well as directly affected when long-term rentable properties become short-term rentals by visitors.
“People need to earn a living. We provide jobs.” What about the Hawaiians who need a home? Your living is reallocating housing that should be someoneʻs home. Jobs are created just as well when visitors stay in vacation rentals and resorts.
Adding economic value to housing drives up the price. Adding social value to housing doesnʻt, reducing the upward trend of housing costs.
19.65.030.O Construction & ownership requirements should apply equally to B&B and STRH. Both should be at least 10 years. Five years is not sufficient to eliminate the economic value to a purchaser, i.e., it still supports investment that drives up residential prices.
The new ordinance should apply to all renewals with exceptions for the following:
• An investor having more than one B&B or STRH should be required to divest of the additional rentals. This would help mitigate the rising cost of housing by providing some downward pressure on these investment residences. Rather than grandfathering in multiple permits, the owner should identify one as the enduring permit. The remaining permits should expire sometime after their next renewal, say 3 years. This would give sufficient time to orderly transition these into the marketplace in order to provide much needed long-term housing.
Old timer planners developed identified tourism areas in order to protect the lifestyle of the locals. This includes the lifestyle of being able to afford residential housing, not just a quiet, peaceful neighborhood.
Mahalo for considering the impacts of STRH and B&B on our homeless, renters and local purchasers.
Ke aloha o ka ʻāina e ko Maui Nui Komisina. My name is Kilia Purdy-Avelino of Ho’olehua, Moloka’i. I have been a lecturer at UHMC, Molokai Education Center on my 11th year. Besides these past years as our people try to navigate through COVID times and shifting a lot to virtual, I know that there was a specific increase in the Hawaiian Studies and/or our dual degree program called ‘Ike Pāpālua, where students are able to earn both a Liberal Arts degree and Hawaiian Studies degree in 2-years. During these COVID times, I have also witnessed an increase in Technical and Trades courses towards certificates. As a board director of our largest homestead community of Molokai, Ho’olehua, I also know there is high interest in farming/growing food. Our college is the best higher educational opportunity for our people and we need more space and more resources to support our communities needs and interests. Our college is the venue in which our people develop the skill sets and knowledge to obtain careers or create their own, right here on Molokai! We don’t want to go anywhere else. There’s much to do at home! But we need your support to allow us to build opportunities for our community so that we can stay on our island. I would also add that in the future, besides seeing our Ag and other related courses in full-swing, I would also like to see higher level degrees beyond a Bachelors offered right here. I urge the council to support our expansion.
Me ka ha’aha’a,
Kilia Purdy-Avelino
Ho’olehua, Molokai
UHMC Molokai Ed Center, Hawaiian Studies Lecturer
Aloha,
I support the expansion of the Molokai Education Center (MEC) as they seek to provide "A World of Knowledge Here at Home." The world is getting smaller by way of the internet. However, in rural areas such as Molokai, students may not always have the resources and/or technology to access the wealth of information available. Allowing MEC to expand will enhance the ability of the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College to support students in connecting and learning from the safety and comfort of their home island. Allowing this parcel of land to be developed for the purpose of education is an investment that will no doubt pay dividends. I ask that the Committee support the boundary amendment and change in zoning to remove barriers and increase access to higher education for the community of Molokai.
Respectfully,
Mia Ritte
Aloha!
I am writing in support of the expansion of the Molokai Education Center. Higher education opportunities are important for rural communities like ours, because they can assist in decreasing our social and economic challenges. The possibilities the expansion can offer could lead to higher degree programs as well as increased certificate offerings. A world of knowledge here at home... it resonates with this expansion!! Please consider approving the change in zoning so that Molokai people are able to further their academic and/or professional careers, right here at home!
Aloha,
I am writing in support of our Molokai Education Center expansion. Molokai faces many social and economic challenges some of which include the highest unemployment rates and many families who are dependent on federal support programs. Having the Molokai Education Center on island is crucial to our families, keiki and community to offer educational opportunities right here in our very own back yard for those that may not be able to leave the island to attain a higher education. Education is key and can help break the cycle of poverty and help our Molokai families gain access to employment opportunities. This expansion will allow for more room to offer different higher education pathways including more Masters and Doctorate programs.
Aloha e,
I am writing this testimony in support of the expansion (boundary amendment and change in zoning) for the Molokai Education Center. A strong educational system with options for advancement in knowledge and career training is at the heart of any thriving community. MEC provides these opportunities for both our early college students and all community members. These opportunities are particularly important in a rural island community like ours because of the cost and time that would be needed to fly to another UH campus. Please continue to support the expansion plan for our Molokai higher educational center.
Mahalo for your consideration,
Caryl Hitchcock
I support expanding the Molokai Education Center in Kaunakakai on Molokai. I see a news for more access to educational facilities on this island.
Kathy SearsTancayo
I am the owner of a home in Olinda currently being used as a STRH. My circumstance is different from those who have STRH in apartment complexes but I do appreciate very much the ability to have a STRH which provides the necessary income to maintain the house and property, pay taxes and numerous expenses. (My family uses the home for extended periods so it cannot be used for a long term rental.) So I understand many peoples’ need to have the extra income, or maybe primary income, to pay all the same kind of expenses.
It would seem the problem is not so much in the rentals but in the failure to enforce rules to prevent problems and complaints from neighbors. If rules are violated that should be grounds for terminating a permit. I support the ordinance amendments if Section 13 is not altered. To do so would create undo hardship for people who need the income. It would not be fair to those who rent without causing difficulties.
Sincerely, Sterling Church
Aloha, My name is Marc Henry Aquino. I am a 2008 alumni of what was then Maui Community College. I am writing in support of the expansion of our Molokai Campus. This will bring more opportunities for our residents especially for our young adults on island. You don't have to go very far for higher education. It cuts the cost of finding lodging. When you do graduate here on Molokai, it's a very special feeling because, you graduate as an 'ohana and not with a bunch of people you don't know like in other campuses. Having more opportunities on Molokai will brighten our island's future despite of our economic and social challenges. Please pass the amendment, you will really be glad you did.
Yes, the Education center is in need of expansion! Too many young folks have to leave to another island for their education and that is costly when they could stay home with their families. I would hope there would be more programs included for people pursuing the nursing, agriculture, business fields without having to transfer to another college. I hope this expansion also aid in the students learning by having internships and real world experience available to students.
We have a condo in Wailea Ekahi unit 54 D. It has been in my family since the 1980's. We use it personally but also do short term rentals. We have never had any complaints from our neighbors while renting our unit. Also our neighbors support the property as short term rental. Our guests are always informed of the house rules and our manager Destination makes sure we follow the rules for the county and state.
Our rental supports a staff of local people which include house keeping, hotel staff, and maintenance people. This property is part of my small business enterprise which also supports the local community. We pay fair wages and do care about the local people. The current permits support the objective in the Countywide Policy Plan to encourage resident ownership of visitor related businesses. We are a legal legitimate vacation rental under the current laws, and we comply with all the county regulations in order to participate.
We also pay higher property taxes then the hotels. We pay the local daily taxes for each day rented.
I would be happy to discuss our concerns in person with each member of the committee.
In summary we oppose changing our residence classification to not allowing short term rental. We can support this as long as there are no changes to section 13.
Aloha Council Members,
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony.
I fully support the PSLU item 69 passage and also support the removal of SECTION 13. Our island is overrun with tourists and we must contain the number of tourists coming to this island.
We live along the Road to Hana and face horrific traffic jams daily caused by the tourists who have no regard for our aina and flout our traffic laws.
It has become untenable.
Additionally, allowing non-hotel stays has driven up the cost of housing for everyday working people who need multiple jobs to stay here. It isn’t fair.
PLEASE HELP US BY PASSING ITEN 69 AND DELETING SECTION 13
Mahalo nui
Mahalo for addressing problems with the current STRH and B&B regulations. I support most of the changes and am hopeful you will consider the needs of constituents other than the tourism industry, realtors and government agencies. Whatʻs missing is input supporting the needs of the general homeless and residents trying to find affordable housing. It appears neither had any input into this change, and neither is notified when a B&B or STRH application is made. These populations are affected when property values rise due to this added earning capacity of the property, as well as directly affected when long-term rentable properties become short-term rentals by visitors.
“People need to earn a living. We provide jobs.” What about the Hawaiians who need a home? Your living is reallocating housing that should be someoneʻs home. Jobs are created just as well when visitors stay in vacation rentals and resorts.
Adding economic value to housing drives up the price. Adding social value to housing doesnʻt, reducing the upward trend of housing costs.
19.65.030.O Construction & ownership requirements should apply equally to B&B and STRH. Both should be at least 10 years. Five years is not sufficient to eliminate the economic value to a purchaser, i.e., it still supports investment that drives up residential prices.
The new ordinance should apply to all renewals with exceptions for the following:
• An investor having more than one B&B or STRH should be required to divest of the additional rentals. This would help mitigate the rising cost of housing by providing some downward pressure on these investment residences. Rather than grandfathering in multiple permits, the owner should identify one as the enduring permit. The remaining permits should expire sometime after their next renewal, say 3 years. This would give sufficient time to orderly transition these into the marketplace in order to provide much needed long-term housing.
Old timer planners developed identified tourism areas in order to protect the lifestyle of the locals. This includes the lifestyle of being able to afford residential housing, not just a quiet, peaceful neighborhood.
Mahalo for considering the impacts of STRH and B&B on our homeless, renters and local purchasers.
Ke aloha o ka ʻāina e ko Maui Nui Komisina. My name is Kilia Purdy-Avelino of Ho’olehua, Moloka’i. I have been a lecturer at UHMC, Molokai Education Center on my 11th year. Besides these past years as our people try to navigate through COVID times and shifting a lot to virtual, I know that there was a specific increase in the Hawaiian Studies and/or our dual degree program called ‘Ike Pāpālua, where students are able to earn both a Liberal Arts degree and Hawaiian Studies degree in 2-years. During these COVID times, I have also witnessed an increase in Technical and Trades courses towards certificates. As a board director of our largest homestead community of Molokai, Ho’olehua, I also know there is high interest in farming/growing food. Our college is the best higher educational opportunity for our people and we need more space and more resources to support our communities needs and interests. Our college is the venue in which our people develop the skill sets and knowledge to obtain careers or create their own, right here on Molokai! We don’t want to go anywhere else. There’s much to do at home! But we need your support to allow us to build opportunities for our community so that we can stay on our island. I would also add that in the future, besides seeing our Ag and other related courses in full-swing, I would also like to see higher level degrees beyond a Bachelors offered right here. I urge the council to support our expansion.
Me ka ha’aha’a,
Kilia Purdy-Avelino
Ho’olehua, Molokai
UHMC Molokai Ed Center, Hawaiian Studies Lecturer
Aloha,
I support the expansion of the Molokai Education Center (MEC) as they seek to provide "A World of Knowledge Here at Home." The world is getting smaller by way of the internet. However, in rural areas such as Molokai, students may not always have the resources and/or technology to access the wealth of information available. Allowing MEC to expand will enhance the ability of the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College to support students in connecting and learning from the safety and comfort of their home island. Allowing this parcel of land to be developed for the purpose of education is an investment that will no doubt pay dividends. I ask that the Committee support the boundary amendment and change in zoning to remove barriers and increase access to higher education for the community of Molokai.
Respectfully,
Mia Ritte
Aloha!
I am writing in support of the expansion of the Molokai Education Center. Higher education opportunities are important for rural communities like ours, because they can assist in decreasing our social and economic challenges. The possibilities the expansion can offer could lead to higher degree programs as well as increased certificate offerings. A world of knowledge here at home... it resonates with this expansion!! Please consider approving the change in zoning so that Molokai people are able to further their academic and/or professional careers, right here at home!
Aloha,
I am writing in support of our Molokai Education Center expansion. Molokai faces many social and economic challenges some of which include the highest unemployment rates and many families who are dependent on federal support programs. Having the Molokai Education Center on island is crucial to our families, keiki and community to offer educational opportunities right here in our very own back yard for those that may not be able to leave the island to attain a higher education. Education is key and can help break the cycle of poverty and help our Molokai families gain access to employment opportunities. This expansion will allow for more room to offer different higher education pathways including more Masters and Doctorate programs.
Aloha e,
I am writing this testimony in support of the expansion (boundary amendment and change in zoning) for the Molokai Education Center. A strong educational system with options for advancement in knowledge and career training is at the heart of any thriving community. MEC provides these opportunities for both our early college students and all community members. These opportunities are particularly important in a rural island community like ours because of the cost and time that would be needed to fly to another UH campus. Please continue to support the expansion plan for our Molokai higher educational center.
Mahalo for your consideration,
Caryl Hitchcock
I support expanding the Molokai Education Center in Kaunakakai on Molokai. I see a news for more access to educational facilities on this island.
Kathy SearsTancayo
I am the owner of a home in Olinda currently being used as a STRH. My circumstance is different from those who have STRH in apartment complexes but I do appreciate very much the ability to have a STRH which provides the necessary income to maintain the house and property, pay taxes and numerous expenses. (My family uses the home for extended periods so it cannot be used for a long term rental.) So I understand many peoples’ need to have the extra income, or maybe primary income, to pay all the same kind of expenses.
It would seem the problem is not so much in the rentals but in the failure to enforce rules to prevent problems and complaints from neighbors. If rules are violated that should be grounds for terminating a permit. I support the ordinance amendments if Section 13 is not altered. To do so would create undo hardship for people who need the income. It would not be fair to those who rent without causing difficulties.
Sincerely, Sterling Church
Aloha, My name is Marc Henry Aquino. I am a 2008 alumni of what was then Maui Community College. I am writing in support of the expansion of our Molokai Campus. This will bring more opportunities for our residents especially for our young adults on island. You don't have to go very far for higher education. It cuts the cost of finding lodging. When you do graduate here on Molokai, it's a very special feeling because, you graduate as an 'ohana and not with a bunch of people you don't know like in other campuses. Having more opportunities on Molokai will brighten our island's future despite of our economic and social challenges. Please pass the amendment, you will really be glad you did.
Yes, the Education center is in need of expansion! Too many young folks have to leave to another island for their education and that is costly when they could stay home with their families. I would hope there would be more programs included for people pursuing the nursing, agriculture, business fields without having to transfer to another college. I hope this expansion also aid in the students learning by having internships and real world experience available to students.
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony.
Dear Chairperson and Committee Members,
We have a condo in Wailea Ekahi unit 54 D. It has been in my family since the 1980's. We use it personally but also do short term rentals. We have never had any complaints from our neighbors while renting our unit. Also our neighbors support the property as short term rental. Our guests are always informed of the house rules and our manager Destination makes sure we follow the rules for the county and state.
Our rental supports a staff of local people which include house keeping, hotel staff, and maintenance people. This property is part of my small business enterprise which also supports the local community. We pay fair wages and do care about the local people. The current permits support the objective in the Countywide Policy Plan to encourage resident ownership of visitor related businesses. We are a legal legitimate vacation rental under the current laws, and we comply with all the county regulations in order to participate.
We also pay higher property taxes then the hotels. We pay the local daily taxes for each day rented.
I would be happy to discuss our concerns in person with each member of the committee.
In summary we oppose changing our residence classification to not allowing short term rental. We can support this as long as there are no changes to section 13.
Kind regards,
Jim Loughead
Aloha Council Members,
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony.
I fully support the PSLU item 69 passage and also support the removal of SECTION 13. Our island is overrun with tourists and we must contain the number of tourists coming to this island.
We live along the Road to Hana and face horrific traffic jams daily caused by the tourists who have no regard for our aina and flout our traffic laws.
It has become untenable.
Additionally, allowing non-hotel stays has driven up the cost of housing for everyday working people who need multiple jobs to stay here. It isn’t fair.
PLEASE HELP US BY PASSING ITEN 69 AND DELETING SECTION 13
Mahalo nui