i am a resident of canada, and an owner of property at the Papakae resort. we use it as an air bnb, and we employ many hawaiian residents in the process. We like to stay there as well. When we stay, there is 8 in total in our family, and we are very generous to the local economy. restaurants , rentals, groceries, tours. If this legislation goes through, we wont be able to afford the property, and it is likely that we will find a different place to vacation. i think many people will take this same stance.
I dont want the hawaii people to suffer in any way. i think canadians and hawaiians see the world similarly. i think affordable housing is needed. i think there are many other ways to accomplish those goals. this approach is reactionary and doesnt address so many other issues that will result if STRs in so many places are disallowed.
whatever decision is made, it wont affect my life in any significant way, but i do have concern for the people of hawaii who may not have the vision of the negative effects of this abrupt approach with such minimal understanding of long term effects.
Thank you for your time and for hearing our opinions on this important matter. I am in strong opposition to this bill and implore you to vote this down. I was born and raised here in Maui and agree that housing is a major issue; but this has been an issue for 40+ years and we never seem to want to tackle the root of the issue like infrastructure, bureaucracy, and increasing resident income. If I actually believed this bill would solve the issue I might change my stance. It will almost certainly make things worse for all of us. I make my living managing these STR's. This business gives me unique insight on the financials and has allowed me to hire many of my friends and family and offer them high paying careers. Today we have a staff of 24 and 70 independent contractors who all depend on these condos to pay their bills.
1. In managing these condos for over 15 years the expense is astronomical. They would not be financially feasible for the vast majority of landlords to rent them out long term. If an owner has any type of mortgage on the unit, you can expect their minimum expense to be in the realm of $3k-4k just for 1 bedroom unit. The Uhero study got this part completely wrong. Please seek additional information from Lenders and Realtors that have accurate data; but even with their lower figures, the study still points out that at these prices the very people this bill is intended to help will not be able to afford the "new rents."
2. Tourism is our lifeblood in Maui, thousands of us depend on it. The Mayor likes to point out that London and New York City banned vacation rentals and they're doing alright. Well that's great, but Maui isn't a metropolis that that has a plethora of thriving industries we can all just switch to. Diversification is good, but that takes time to foster, please don't cut us off at the knees and say good luck. There are not options for us, and I don't see that changing in 2 or 5 years. How many of our favorite restaurants, shops, and tour companies will close their doors for good? How many more residents will be forced to leave when we lose these jobs?
3. Why not use this industry that supplies jobs, tax revenue, and visitor spending to help bring in more income for things like infrastructure. Redesignate so much of the wasted Ag Land to residential only if the landowners commit to developing workforce housing in x number of years. There are so many more creative things that could be done, using this industry as an accelerator rather than killing it.
This bill has created strong emotions and the mayors bill sounds like a quick fix to a 50 year problem, but a fix for our housing problem is not going to be easy. If passed, this bill will hurt so many of my friends, family, employees, and contractors. There will be so many unintended consequences. I know each of are feeling immense pressure on your decision and I do not envy you, but you were each elected to make the right decision. I think it is clear that this bill will hurt more residents than it helps. After looking through all the evidence we have here, if you cannot guarantee this bill will solve our housing problem you need to vote this bill down.
We have owned a short-term vacation rental condo in Kapalua Resort for the past 8 years, and it has become our family's home away from home when we come visit from Colorado. We love West Maui's natural beauty and warm community, and we support numerous local businesses when we visit. We endeavor to be a part of the local community in every way possible, and we were indeed devastated the day of the Lahaina fires (my son and I were crying in front of the TV while we learned of the horrific tragedy...the unprecedented loss of life and the historic town that I have loved dearly my whole life). We spent that Christmas and New Years on island helping local organizations cook for displaced families and volunteering at events that distributed toys over the holidays to children who lost their homes. It was a deeply meaningful experience to be a part of the community and help out even in small ways. In addition, we offered our condo to a displaced family in August, and participated in the FEMA program though November. Since then our property management company (a local family who has lived on Maui for many generations) has asked if we would put our condo back on the STR program since their livelihood (as well as all those that they employ) depends upon the vacation rental turnover. We are writing today to ask you to please reconsider the passage of Bill 9, especially as it relates to eliminating short term rentals of condos in planned resort communities such as Kapalua.
Kapalua Resort is a master-planned community and vacation destination with hotels and condominiums that were constructed and intended for short term rental since the mid-1970s. The Bay Villas, Ridge Villas and Golf Villas were built in order to provide more space (additional bedrooms, baths and a kitchen) than a hotel room for families visiting Kapalua. They have never been considered affordable or workforce housing. In fact, the original Kapalua Resort investors/builders were required to build workforce housing just south of Kapalua in order to attract and house employees for the hotels, golf courses, restaurants and other local businesses that comprise our unique community. At this point 45-50 years later, it would be impossible for a local family displaced by the fires to afford to live in Kapalua with HOA, maintenance, insurance, taxes and utility costs surpassing $6,000 a month.
We feel it makes sense to exclude condos in the Kapalua Resort from Bill 9's proposed STR ban, as they are not suitable for long-term workforce housing, and our unit as a vacation rental contributes significantly to the West Maui economy. We hope to continue contributing financially as well as through volunteer work with local organizations to supporting and rebuilding our beautiful Lahaina town. Mahalo nui loa for your time and careful consideration of this important piece of legislation.
With respect,
Jenny and Jay McCulloch
jenjaymcculloch@gmail.com
(970) 215-8898
As a resident of Kihei, I would be in favor of reducing new units built as short-term rentals and also cracking down on airbnb in residential neighborhoods, but it doesn't make much sense to try to convert something built for vacation rentals to long term housing.
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members,
We own property in the Kapalua Resort in Maui County and are writing to express our strong belief that the proposed legislation is overbroad and should be amended to exempt the Kapalua Resort clearly and unambiguously from the proposed short-term rental ban.
The Kapalua Resort is a master planned resort community. The Kapalua Bay Villas were planned, approved, constructed, and sold primarily for vacation use, including short-term rental. After they were constructed in 1977 they actually had hotel service for a period of time from the Kapalua Bay Hotel to the villas. They have been used continuously for short-term rentals for over 45 years and have never been affordable housing. Nor have they ever been workforce housing.
Owners in the Kapalua Resort, like us, support the local Maui community. We frequent and recommend local businesses and employ many local service providers, with whom we’ve had lasting relationships for years.
The Kapalua Bay Villas are not suitable for affordable family housing. The Villas are very expensive to buy and maintain and have pricey HOA fees of over $1600 a month. Insurance and taxes are very costly and have gone up considerably since the Maui fires. Future building repairs will be very expensive in our over-45-year-old buildings. Kapalua Resort rules ban work vehicles, restrict parking, limit occupancy, prohibit pets, and lack storage space, as just some examples.
Multiple studies have shown that the proposed ordinance will have a very harmful impact on the Maui economy, particularly if a ban is overbroad and not carefully tailored to balance the need for affordable housing with the significant damage to tourism and the Maui economy, including its tax base. In balancing these considerations, the clear and obvious public interest requires exempting the Kapalua Resort from any short-term rental ban the County might adopt.
Please exclude the Kapalua Resort from any short-term rental ban you might recommend.
Mahalo for your time and careful consideration.
Sincerely,
Kathy & Kevin Patterson
KBV 25G4
(650) 387-2297
Aloha Council Members and mahalo for your service.
I am respectfully expressing my very strong OPPOSITION to this proposed legislation aimed at phasing out over 7,000 short-term rental units. I am an owner at Paki Maui, an oceanfront complex in Honokowai. I am extremely concerned with the housing situation for locals and strongly feel this legislation is not the answer.
I thought I’d just stick to the dollar amounts that clearly do not support a feasible framework for a long-term rental.
Here are my current minimum monthly fees:
• Mortgage $2600
• HOA Fees $2900
• Insurance (H06 + Hurricane) $ 96
• Property Taxes (2024) $1358
• Ikehu Electric (avg) $ 350
TOTAL MONTHLY FEES $ 7304
I’ve shown this basic financial picture here to demonstrate how long-term housing just won’t work for my unit.
A CRITICAL POINT OF EMPHASIS: I’m so nervous for my property manager and his crew who rely on my short-term rental business (turning over the condo after each rental check-out) for a steady stream of income.
I thank you for your service and implore folks to use reason looking at the probable economic impact if STRs are required to turn into LTRs. The numbers just don’t support that transition so please help advise on other solutions to find (build) affordable housing for the wonderful people of Lahaina.
Much aloha to you all,
Jill Fletcher
Paki Maui owner
Dear Chair Kama, Vice Chair Uʻu-Hodgins and Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee:
I oppose Bill 9 as drafted and propose that the Council amend Bill 9 to exclude Papakea Oceanfront Resort which the
County has historically identified as having A2-H2 zoning.
Background on Papakea
• Papakea was initially marketed and sold as a legal vacation rental property before any zoning restrictions limited
transient vacation rentals in apartment zoned properties.
• Papakea owners have been operating legal vacation rentals for almost fifty years.
• Papakea has never been workforce housing so Papakea is not an example of a property that converted from
workforce housing to transient vacation rental use.
• The majority of units at Papakea are under 600 square feet and the property has limited parking.
• Papakea is not in a residential neighborhood and is located alongside a long stretch of hotel-zoned properties
and directly adjacent to multiple commercially-zoned properties.
Unlike apartment buildings designed for long-term residential use, Papakea has a front desk, an activity concierge,
shared activity space, and numerous other common resort amenities.
• Owners purchased condos at Papakea with the reasonable expectation that short-term rentals were legal based
on ordinances as far back as 1989, and as recent as 2022.
• In reliance on the Maui County ordinances and published documents, Hawaii state law, and constitutional protections,
owners invested in costly renovations, furnishings, and long-term financial commitments such as mortgages that make
any phase out of short-term rental right offensive of each buyer’s investment-backed expectations.
Papakea’s Contributions to the Community
• Papakea’s resort operations provide full-time, benefited, employment for 35 local resident employees; some have
worked at the property for over 17 years; some started in entry-level positions and worked into supervisory roles.
• Papakea supports a wide variety of local trade professionals including pest control, HVAC, painting, plumbing,
electrical, general contracting, masonry, tile and flooring, fitness instructors, entertainers, and tree trimming.
Individual Owner Contributions to the Community
• Many small businesses owned and operated by local residents from the Maui community rely on Papakea short-term
rentals including housekeepers, handymen, on-island agents, and contractors. These service providers set their own rates,
work hours, select their own clients, work conditions and standard operating procedures. Shutting down short-term rentals
at Papakea means telling local entrepreneurs that worked hard to build a small business that they need to just go get a job
somewhere else to make less money, have less flexibility, and be subject to oppressive corporate policies.
• Papakea STRs support the State of Hawaii and County of Maui through payment of property taxes (many at the short-term
rental rate), Transient Accommodations Tax, General Excise Tax, and Maui County Transient Accommodations Tax.
• Papakea guests support many small businesses on the island including restaurants, food trucks, tour operators, activities,
state parks, the national park, and shops.
• Papakea owners and guests regularly participate in community activities including volunteering at beach cleanups, Maui
Humane Society, the hospital, and many other local organizations, and contribute to local philanthropic and cultural efforts.
I would like to thank the committee for the opportunity to comment.
Sincerely,
Michael Magruder
3543 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Apartment B202
Dear Chair Kama, Vice Chair Uʻu-Hodgins and Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee:
I am Lisa Bryant and I humbly ask that you recommend denial of the proposed STR bill.
I moved to Maui 38 years ago from Oahu. My ancestors were from Maui, and my children and grandchildren are here. Maui is my home.
I work in vacation rentals. Our company employs 20 Maui residents and provides work for about 100 cleaners and maintenance vendors, all Maui residents. The travelers who come to stay at our vacation rentals contribute to Maui's economy when they visit the stores, restaurants, and activity businesses on island.
I agree that Maui has a housing crisis. With rent and sale prices as high as they are now, I understand that something needs to be done. I don't agree that phasing out short-term rentals in apartment-zoned areas is the answer. It will result in layoffs for most of our staff & independent contractors, As we are already seeing, travelers are discouraged from coming to Maui, opting for Kauai instead.
Most of the apartment-zoned properties on the Minatoya list are older buildings that are now requiring major renovations like new roofs, new plumbing, and concrete work. These projects add sizeable assessments of tens of thousands of dollars per owner on top of their mortgage, tax, insurance, and AOAO payments. I wouldn't be able to afford one of those apartments. I don't think eliminating STRs will solve our housing crisis. Instead, I suggest cracking down on illegal rentals and focusing on adding new affordable houses to buy and to rent. Let's keep looking for a better solution--one that doesn't hurt so many people already struggling to make ends meet.
Thank you for receiving my testimony. I encourage this committee to recommend denial.
"Dear members of the Housing and Land Use Committee,
As a concerned renter and member of our community, I urge you to support the Minatoya short-term rental (STR) phase-out. This policy is a necessary step toward restoring housing affordability and availability for residents.
Research shows that phasing out short-term rentals can reduce local rents by 6–14%, making a real difference for working families and individuals struggling with the high cost of living. In addition, it would free up much-needed housing inventory currently tied up in the STR market—units that could otherwise provide stable homes for long-term residents.
Renters are being priced out of the communities we work in and contribute to. Prioritizing housing for residents over tourists is a matter of fairness, sustainability, and economic stability.
Please stand with local residents and take action to support the Minatoya STR phase-out. Our community can’t afford to wait.
I’m writing today to express my opposition to Bill 9 as currently written, and to ask that Papakea Oceanfront Resort be specifically excluded. Papakea has long been treated as A2-H2 zoned by the County, and this recognition should continue.
A Little Context About Papakea
• Papakea was established and sold as a legal vacation rental destination well before any zoning rules restricted short-term rentals in apartment-type zones.
• Owners at Papakea have been operating short-term rentals legally for nearly five decades.
• This property was never intended for — or used as — workforce housing. It’s simply not a case of homes being taken away from local long-term residents.
• The majority of Papakea units are quite small (under 600 square feet), and the property has limited parking — it’s not set up for typical long-term residential use.
• Papakea is located in an area surrounded by hotel and commercially zoned properties — not in a residential neighborhood. It functions as a resort, with a staffed front desk, concierge services, and a range of shared amenities designed for short-term guests.
• Buyers made their purchases with the understanding that short-term rentals were legal, an understanding based on official County rules and documentation going back to 1989 and as recently as 2022.
• Owners also made long-term investments in good faith — often taking on mortgages, upgrading their units, and furnishing them for guests — based on those laws. Changing the rules now undermines those expectations and would unfairly penalize responsible property owners.
Papakea’s Positive Local Impact
• The resort provides stable, full-time jobs to 35 Maui residents — with benefits. Many of these team members have been working there for over 17 years, having grown into leadership roles over time.
• Papakea contracts with a wide range of local professionals — electricians, painters, pest control, tile installers, general contractors, fitness teachers, and more — helping keep small businesses going.
Local Economic Support by Individual Owners
• A lot of locally owned small businesses — cleaners, handymen, contractors, property managers — rely on work generated by short-term rentals at Papakea. These are independent workers who choose their clients and hours. If these rentals are shut down, it’s not just income lost — it’s control over their livelihoods and independence.
• Papakea STRs also contribute substantial tax revenue through property taxes (at STR rates), TAT, GET, and more. These funds support vital public services.
• Visitors who stay at Papakea help keep other small Maui businesses alive — from restaurants and food trucks to shops, tour companies, and park vendors.
• Finally, many owners and guests give back by volunteering with local organizations — whether it's beach cleanups, local shelters, or community fundraising events.
I appreciate your time, and all the effort you’ve put into addressing this issue. Thank you for hearing our voices.
Out of the millions of dollars created from high STR taxes, wouldn’t it be a great idea to use the money to create infrastructure to support building of affordable housing? Create water, wastewater, and electricity infrastructure to support developers as incentive to building affordable housing.
From the UHERO Report
“the reduction in visitor accommodations is projected to decrease total visitor spending by $900 million annually, resulting in job losses and a contraction in household income and GDP. Additionally, a decline in property values and economic activity would shrink county tax revenues, contributing to an estimated $75 million annual gap by 2029.”
In addition to the income lost, voting for removal of legally operated STRs will cost the county much more money in legal fees to fight a case that will likely be lost due to a violation of property rights. The odds of a legal case are at or near 100% should the bill pass. Your vote will be remembered when the county has to tell the people of Maui it wasted millions of their tax dollars fighting a losing case. Also, one of the alternatives suggested by UHERO was to increase STR taxes. Well, the county already did that. Maui is one of the highest TAT taxes on the planet. Use that money for the people of Maui for affordable housing infrastructure.
We, Maui, is in critical need to have the housing market opened for permanent long-term residents. It is only fair and pono that housing be legally established and Bill 9 with help promote that or create opening the housing market for our long-term residents.
Dear Chair Kama, Vice Chair Uʻu-Hodgins and Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee:
I oppose Bill 9 as drafted and propose that the Council amend Bill 9 to exclude Papakea Oceanfront Resort which the County has historically identified as having A2-H2 zoning.
Background on Papakea
Papakea was initially marketed and sold as a legal vacation rental property before any zoning restrictions limited transient vacation rentals in apartment zoned properties.
Papakea owners have been operating legal vacation rentals for almost fifty years.
Papakea has never been workforce housing so Papakea is not an example of a property that converted from workforce housing to transient vacation rental use.
The majority of units at Papakea are under 600 square feet and the property has limited parking.
Papakea is not in a residential neighborhood and is located alongside a long stretch of hotel-zoned properties and directly adjacent to multiple commercially-zoned properties.
Unlike apartment buildings designed for long-term residential use, Papakea has a front desk, an activity concierge, shared activity space, and numerous other common resort amenities.
Owners purchased condos at Papakea with the reasonable expectation that short-term rentals were legal based on ordinances as far back as 1989, and as recent as 2022.
In reliance on the Maui County ordinances and published documents, Hawaii state law, and constitutional protections, owners invested in costly renovations, furnishings, and long-term financial commitments such as mortgages that make any phase out of short-term rental right offensive of each buyer’s investment-backed expectations.
Papakea’s Contributions to the Community
Papakea’s resort operations provide full-time, benefited, employment for 35 local resident employees; some have worked at the property for over 17 years; some started in entry-level positions and worked into supervisory roles.
Papakea supports a wide variety of local trade professionals including pest control, HVAC, painting, plumbing, electrical, general contracting, masonry, tile and flooring, fitness instructors, entertainers, and tree trimming.
Individual Owner Contributions to the Community
Many small businesses owned and operated by local residents from the Maui community rely on Papakea short-term rentals including housekeepers, handymen, on-island agents, and contractors. These service providers set their own rates, work hours, select their own clients, work conditions and standard operating procedures. Shutting down short-term rentals at Papakea means telling local entrepreneurs that worked hard to build a small business that they need to just go get a job somewhere else to make less money, have less flexibility, and be subject to oppressive corporate policies.
Papakea STRs support the State of Hawaii and County of Maui through payment of property taxes (many at the short-term rental rate), Transient Accommodations Tax, General Excise Tax, and Maui County Transient Accommodations Tax.
Papakea guests support many small businesses on the island including restaurants, food trucks, tour operators, activities, state parks, the national park, and shops.
Papakea owners and guests regularly participate in community activities including volunteering at beach cleanups, Maui Humane Society, the hospital, and many other local organizations, and contribute to local philanthropic nd cultural efforts.
I would like to thank the committee for the opportunity to comment.
Dear Chair Kama, Vice Chair Uʻu-Hodgins and Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee:
I oppose Bill 9 as drafted and propose that the Council amend Bill 9 to exclude Papakea Oceanfront Resort which the County has historically identified as having A2-H2 zoning.
Background on Papakea
• Papakea was initially marketed and sold as a legal vacation rental property before any zoning restrictions limited transient vacation rentals in apartment zoned properties.
• Papakea owners have been operating legal vacation rentals for almost fifty years.
• Papakea has never been workforce housing so Papakea is not an example of a property that converted from workforce housing to transient vacation rental use.
• The majority of units at Papakea are under 600 square feet and the property has limited parking.
• Papakea is not in a residential neighborhood and is located alongside a long stretch of hotel-zoned properties and directly adjacent to multiple commercially-zoned properties.
Unlike apartment buildings designed for long-term residential use, Papakea has a front desk, an activity concierge, shared activity space, and numerous other common resort amenities.
• Owners purchased condos at Papakea with the reasonable expectation that short-term rentals were legal based on ordinances as far back as 1989, and as recent as 2022.
• In reliance on the Maui County ordinances and published documents, Hawaii state law, and constitutional protections, owners invested in costly renovations, furnishings, and long-term financial commitments such as mortgages that make any phase out of short-term rental right offensive of each buyer’s investment-backed expectations.
Papakea’s Contributions to the Community
• Papakea’s resort operations provide full-time, benefited, employment for 35 local resident employees; some have worked at the property for over 17 years; some started in entry-level positions and worked into supervisory roles.
• Papakea supports a wide variety of local trade professionals including pest control, HVAC, painting, plumbing, electrical, general contracting, masonry, tile and flooring, fitness instructors, entertainers, and tree trimming.
Individual Owner Contributions to the Community
• Many small businesses owned and operated by local residents from the Maui community rely on Papakea short-term rentals including housekeepers, handymen, on-island agents, and contractors. These service providers set their own rates, work hours, select their own clients, work conditions and standard operating procedures. Shutting down short-term rentals at Papakea means telling local entrepreneurs that worked hard to build a small business that they need to just go get a job somewhere else to make less money, have less flexibility, and be subject to oppressive corporate policies.
• Papakea STRs support the State of Hawaii and County of Maui through payment of property taxes (many at the short-term rental rate), Transient Accommodations Tax, General Excise Tax, and Maui County Transient Accommodations Tax.
• Papakea guests support many small businesses on the island including restaurants, food trucks, tour operators, activities, state parks, the national park, and shops.
• Papakea owners and guests regularly participate in community activities including volunteering at beach cleanups, Maui Humane Society, the hospital, and many other local organizations, and contribute to local philanthropic nd cultural efforts.
Thanks to the committee for your hard work the opportunity to give imput.
My name is Scott Chong. I am a former Hawai‘i resident and current owner of a short-term rental (STR) property at the Kihei Bay Surf in Maui County. I’m writing to express my deep concern and strong opposition to HLU-4 Bill 9, which proposes phasing out over 7,000 vacation rentals.
I and our local property management staff have worked hard to be a responsible and community-focused owner. I promote local restaurants, tour guides, and small businesses. I employ local cleaners, maintenance technicians, property managers, and landscapers. My guests often choose vacation rentals not only because of hotel costs, but because they seek a more personal, authentic experience, one that reflects a less "commercial" Maui that they remember.
Many have told me they wouldn’t have visited at all without a vacation rental option. That decision matter, not just to me, but to the many small businesses they supported while here. These guests explore beyond the hotel corridor, spending their time and money in local communities.
Income from STRs helps sustain local jobs, cover maintenance costs, special assessments, and major insurance increases after the fires.
This legislation feels rushed and imbalanced. I respectfully urge the Council to collaborate with owners like myself to create a fair, responsible path forward, one that preserves local employment, protects the economy, and upholds high operational standards, without eliminating an entire segment of housing that supports Maui’s recovery and future.
I strongly oppose to Bill 9, which proposes to phase out short-term rental (STR) rights for condominium units located in the Apartment zoning district. Papakea is zoned H2/A2 and therefore this would be a violation of vested property rights. Many owners purchased units in full reliance on the legal right to conduct short-term rentals, which have been longstanding and legally permitted under existing zoning and County policy. Phasing out these rights represents a de facto taking of property use without compensation and severely undermines trust in County governance.
Hello, I am the owner of Unit 705 at The Kuleana,
3959 Lower Honoapiilini Rd.
For the record: These are my monthly expenses
Mortgage: $2588 ($31,056 annual)
HOA Fees: $1040 ($12,480 annual)
Utilities $140 ($1680.00 annual)
Insurance $50 ($600.00 annual)
Property taxes $927 ($11,124 annual)
Utilities $95 ($1140 annual)
Misc $150 ($1800.00 annual)
I employ housekeepers, maintenance (when necessary)
these expenses are increasing yearly
I'm proud to state I have repeating guests among new guests who help support the economy
Dear Chair Kama, Vice Chair Uʻu-Hodgins and Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee:
I oppose Bill 9 as drafted and propose that the Council amend Bill 9 to exclude Papakea Oceanfront Resort which the County has historically identified as having A2-H2 zoning.
Background on Papakea
Papakea was initially marketed and sold as a legal vacation rental property before any zoning restrictions limited transient vacation rentals in apartment zoned properties.
Papakea owners have been operating legal vacation rentals for almost fifty years.
Papakea has never been workforce housing so Papakea is not an example of a property that converted from workforce housing to transient vacation rental use.
The majority of units at Papakea are under 600 square feet and the property has limited parking.
Papakea is not in a residential neighborhood and is located alongside a long stretch of hotel-zoned properties and directly adjacent to multiple commercially-zoned properties.
Unlike apartment buildings designed for long-term residential use, Papakea has a front desk, an activity concierge, shared activity space, and numerous other common resort amenities.
Owners purchased condos at Papakea with the reasonable expectation that short-term rentals were legal based on ordinances as far back as 1989, and as recent as 2022.
In reliance on the Maui County ordinances and published documents, Hawaii state law, and constitutional protections, owners invested in costly renovations, furnishings, and long-term financial commitments such as mortgages that make any phase out of short-term rental right offensive of each buyer’s investment-backed expectations.
Papakea’s Contributions to the Community
Papakea’s resort operations provide full-time, benefited, employment for 35 local resident employees; some have worked at the property for over 17 years; some started in entry-level positions and worked into supervisory roles.
Papakea supports a wide variety of local trade professionals including pest control, HVAC, painting, plumbing, electrical, general contracting, masonry, tile and flooring, fitness instructors, entertainers, and tree trimming.
Individual Owner Contributions to the Community
Many small businesses owned and operated by local residents from the Maui community rely on Papakea short-term rentals including housekeepers, handymen, on-island agents, and contractors. These service providers set their own rates, work hours, select their own clients, work conditions and standard operating procedures. Shutting down short-term rentals at Papakea means telling local entrepreneurs that worked hard to build a small business that they need to just go get a job somewhere else to make less money, have less flexibility, and be subject to oppressive corporate policies.
Papakea STRs support the State of Hawaii and County of Maui through payment of property taxes (many at the short-term rental rate), Transient Accommodations Tax, General Excise Tax, and Maui County Transient Accommodations Tax.
Papakea guests support many small businesses on the island including restaurants, food trucks, tour operators, activities, state parks, the national park, and shops.
Papakea owners and guests regularly participate in community activities including volunteering at beach cleanups, Maui Humane Society, the hospital, and many other local organizations, and contribute to local philanthropic and cultural efforts.
I would like to thank the committee for the opportunity to comment.
i am a resident of canada, and an owner of property at the Papakae resort. we use it as an air bnb, and we employ many hawaiian residents in the process. We like to stay there as well. When we stay, there is 8 in total in our family, and we are very generous to the local economy. restaurants , rentals, groceries, tours. If this legislation goes through, we wont be able to afford the property, and it is likely that we will find a different place to vacation. i think many people will take this same stance.
I dont want the hawaii people to suffer in any way. i think canadians and hawaiians see the world similarly. i think affordable housing is needed. i think there are many other ways to accomplish those goals. this approach is reactionary and doesnt address so many other issues that will result if STRs in so many places are disallowed.
whatever decision is made, it wont affect my life in any significant way, but i do have concern for the people of hawaii who may not have the vision of the negative effects of this abrupt approach with such minimal understanding of long term effects.
Aloha Council Members,
Thank you for your time and for hearing our opinions on this important matter. I am in strong opposition to this bill and implore you to vote this down. I was born and raised here in Maui and agree that housing is a major issue; but this has been an issue for 40+ years and we never seem to want to tackle the root of the issue like infrastructure, bureaucracy, and increasing resident income. If I actually believed this bill would solve the issue I might change my stance. It will almost certainly make things worse for all of us. I make my living managing these STR's. This business gives me unique insight on the financials and has allowed me to hire many of my friends and family and offer them high paying careers. Today we have a staff of 24 and 70 independent contractors who all depend on these condos to pay their bills.
1. In managing these condos for over 15 years the expense is astronomical. They would not be financially feasible for the vast majority of landlords to rent them out long term. If an owner has any type of mortgage on the unit, you can expect their minimum expense to be in the realm of $3k-4k just for 1 bedroom unit. The Uhero study got this part completely wrong. Please seek additional information from Lenders and Realtors that have accurate data; but even with their lower figures, the study still points out that at these prices the very people this bill is intended to help will not be able to afford the "new rents."
2. Tourism is our lifeblood in Maui, thousands of us depend on it. The Mayor likes to point out that London and New York City banned vacation rentals and they're doing alright. Well that's great, but Maui isn't a metropolis that that has a plethora of thriving industries we can all just switch to. Diversification is good, but that takes time to foster, please don't cut us off at the knees and say good luck. There are not options for us, and I don't see that changing in 2 or 5 years. How many of our favorite restaurants, shops, and tour companies will close their doors for good? How many more residents will be forced to leave when we lose these jobs?
3. Why not use this industry that supplies jobs, tax revenue, and visitor spending to help bring in more income for things like infrastructure. Redesignate so much of the wasted Ag Land to residential only if the landowners commit to developing workforce housing in x number of years. There are so many more creative things that could be done, using this industry as an accelerator rather than killing it.
This bill has created strong emotions and the mayors bill sounds like a quick fix to a 50 year problem, but a fix for our housing problem is not going to be easy. If passed, this bill will hurt so many of my friends, family, employees, and contractors. There will be so many unintended consequences. I know each of are feeling immense pressure on your decision and I do not envy you, but you were each elected to make the right decision. I think it is clear that this bill will hurt more residents than it helps. After looking through all the evidence we have here, if you cannot guarantee this bill will solve our housing problem you need to vote this bill down.
Sincerely,
Dave Englert
Wailuku Hi
Oppose
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair and Committee Members,
We have owned a short-term vacation rental condo in Kapalua Resort for the past 8 years, and it has become our family's home away from home when we come visit from Colorado. We love West Maui's natural beauty and warm community, and we support numerous local businesses when we visit. We endeavor to be a part of the local community in every way possible, and we were indeed devastated the day of the Lahaina fires (my son and I were crying in front of the TV while we learned of the horrific tragedy...the unprecedented loss of life and the historic town that I have loved dearly my whole life). We spent that Christmas and New Years on island helping local organizations cook for displaced families and volunteering at events that distributed toys over the holidays to children who lost their homes. It was a deeply meaningful experience to be a part of the community and help out even in small ways. In addition, we offered our condo to a displaced family in August, and participated in the FEMA program though November. Since then our property management company (a local family who has lived on Maui for many generations) has asked if we would put our condo back on the STR program since their livelihood (as well as all those that they employ) depends upon the vacation rental turnover. We are writing today to ask you to please reconsider the passage of Bill 9, especially as it relates to eliminating short term rentals of condos in planned resort communities such as Kapalua.
Kapalua Resort is a master-planned community and vacation destination with hotels and condominiums that were constructed and intended for short term rental since the mid-1970s. The Bay Villas, Ridge Villas and Golf Villas were built in order to provide more space (additional bedrooms, baths and a kitchen) than a hotel room for families visiting Kapalua. They have never been considered affordable or workforce housing. In fact, the original Kapalua Resort investors/builders were required to build workforce housing just south of Kapalua in order to attract and house employees for the hotels, golf courses, restaurants and other local businesses that comprise our unique community. At this point 45-50 years later, it would be impossible for a local family displaced by the fires to afford to live in Kapalua with HOA, maintenance, insurance, taxes and utility costs surpassing $6,000 a month.
We feel it makes sense to exclude condos in the Kapalua Resort from Bill 9's proposed STR ban, as they are not suitable for long-term workforce housing, and our unit as a vacation rental contributes significantly to the West Maui economy. We hope to continue contributing financially as well as through volunteer work with local organizations to supporting and rebuilding our beautiful Lahaina town. Mahalo nui loa for your time and careful consideration of this important piece of legislation.
With respect,
Jenny and Jay McCulloch
jenjaymcculloch@gmail.com
(970) 215-8898
As a resident of Kihei, I would be in favor of reducing new units built as short-term rentals and also cracking down on airbnb in residential neighborhoods, but it doesn't make much sense to try to convert something built for vacation rentals to long term housing.
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members,
We own property in the Kapalua Resort in Maui County and are writing to express our strong belief that the proposed legislation is overbroad and should be amended to exempt the Kapalua Resort clearly and unambiguously from the proposed short-term rental ban.
The Kapalua Resort is a master planned resort community. The Kapalua Bay Villas were planned, approved, constructed, and sold primarily for vacation use, including short-term rental. After they were constructed in 1977 they actually had hotel service for a period of time from the Kapalua Bay Hotel to the villas. They have been used continuously for short-term rentals for over 45 years and have never been affordable housing. Nor have they ever been workforce housing.
Owners in the Kapalua Resort, like us, support the local Maui community. We frequent and recommend local businesses and employ many local service providers, with whom we’ve had lasting relationships for years.
The Kapalua Bay Villas are not suitable for affordable family housing. The Villas are very expensive to buy and maintain and have pricey HOA fees of over $1600 a month. Insurance and taxes are very costly and have gone up considerably since the Maui fires. Future building repairs will be very expensive in our over-45-year-old buildings. Kapalua Resort rules ban work vehicles, restrict parking, limit occupancy, prohibit pets, and lack storage space, as just some examples.
Multiple studies have shown that the proposed ordinance will have a very harmful impact on the Maui economy, particularly if a ban is overbroad and not carefully tailored to balance the need for affordable housing with the significant damage to tourism and the Maui economy, including its tax base. In balancing these considerations, the clear and obvious public interest requires exempting the Kapalua Resort from any short-term rental ban the County might adopt.
Please exclude the Kapalua Resort from any short-term rental ban you might recommend.
Mahalo for your time and careful consideration.
Sincerely,
Kathy & Kevin Patterson
KBV 25G4
(650) 387-2297
Aloha Council Members and mahalo for your service.
I am respectfully expressing my very strong OPPOSITION to this proposed legislation aimed at phasing out over 7,000 short-term rental units. I am an owner at Paki Maui, an oceanfront complex in Honokowai. I am extremely concerned with the housing situation for locals and strongly feel this legislation is not the answer.
I thought I’d just stick to the dollar amounts that clearly do not support a feasible framework for a long-term rental.
Here are my current minimum monthly fees:
• Mortgage $2600
• HOA Fees $2900
• Insurance (H06 + Hurricane) $ 96
• Property Taxes (2024) $1358
• Ikehu Electric (avg) $ 350
TOTAL MONTHLY FEES $ 7304
I’ve shown this basic financial picture here to demonstrate how long-term housing just won’t work for my unit.
A CRITICAL POINT OF EMPHASIS: I’m so nervous for my property manager and his crew who rely on my short-term rental business (turning over the condo after each rental check-out) for a steady stream of income.
I thank you for your service and implore folks to use reason looking at the probable economic impact if STRs are required to turn into LTRs. The numbers just don’t support that transition so please help advise on other solutions to find (build) affordable housing for the wonderful people of Lahaina.
Much aloha to you all,
Jill Fletcher
Paki Maui owner
Dear Chair Kama, Vice Chair Uʻu-Hodgins and Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee:
I oppose Bill 9 as drafted and propose that the Council amend Bill 9 to exclude Papakea Oceanfront Resort which the
County has historically identified as having A2-H2 zoning.
Background on Papakea
• Papakea was initially marketed and sold as a legal vacation rental property before any zoning restrictions limited
transient vacation rentals in apartment zoned properties.
• Papakea owners have been operating legal vacation rentals for almost fifty years.
• Papakea has never been workforce housing so Papakea is not an example of a property that converted from
workforce housing to transient vacation rental use.
• The majority of units at Papakea are under 600 square feet and the property has limited parking.
• Papakea is not in a residential neighborhood and is located alongside a long stretch of hotel-zoned properties
and directly adjacent to multiple commercially-zoned properties.
Unlike apartment buildings designed for long-term residential use, Papakea has a front desk, an activity concierge,
shared activity space, and numerous other common resort amenities.
• Owners purchased condos at Papakea with the reasonable expectation that short-term rentals were legal based
on ordinances as far back as 1989, and as recent as 2022.
• In reliance on the Maui County ordinances and published documents, Hawaii state law, and constitutional protections,
owners invested in costly renovations, furnishings, and long-term financial commitments such as mortgages that make
any phase out of short-term rental right offensive of each buyer’s investment-backed expectations.
Papakea’s Contributions to the Community
• Papakea’s resort operations provide full-time, benefited, employment for 35 local resident employees; some have
worked at the property for over 17 years; some started in entry-level positions and worked into supervisory roles.
• Papakea supports a wide variety of local trade professionals including pest control, HVAC, painting, plumbing,
electrical, general contracting, masonry, tile and flooring, fitness instructors, entertainers, and tree trimming.
Individual Owner Contributions to the Community
• Many small businesses owned and operated by local residents from the Maui community rely on Papakea short-term
rentals including housekeepers, handymen, on-island agents, and contractors. These service providers set their own rates,
work hours, select their own clients, work conditions and standard operating procedures. Shutting down short-term rentals
at Papakea means telling local entrepreneurs that worked hard to build a small business that they need to just go get a job
somewhere else to make less money, have less flexibility, and be subject to oppressive corporate policies.
• Papakea STRs support the State of Hawaii and County of Maui through payment of property taxes (many at the short-term
rental rate), Transient Accommodations Tax, General Excise Tax, and Maui County Transient Accommodations Tax.
• Papakea guests support many small businesses on the island including restaurants, food trucks, tour operators, activities,
state parks, the national park, and shops.
• Papakea owners and guests regularly participate in community activities including volunteering at beach cleanups, Maui
Humane Society, the hospital, and many other local organizations, and contribute to local philanthropic and cultural efforts.
I would like to thank the committee for the opportunity to comment.
Sincerely,
Michael Magruder
3543 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Apartment B202
Dear Chair Kama, Vice Chair Uʻu-Hodgins and Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee:
I am Lisa Bryant and I humbly ask that you recommend denial of the proposed STR bill.
I moved to Maui 38 years ago from Oahu. My ancestors were from Maui, and my children and grandchildren are here. Maui is my home.
I work in vacation rentals. Our company employs 20 Maui residents and provides work for about 100 cleaners and maintenance vendors, all Maui residents. The travelers who come to stay at our vacation rentals contribute to Maui's economy when they visit the stores, restaurants, and activity businesses on island.
I agree that Maui has a housing crisis. With rent and sale prices as high as they are now, I understand that something needs to be done. I don't agree that phasing out short-term rentals in apartment-zoned areas is the answer. It will result in layoffs for most of our staff & independent contractors, As we are already seeing, travelers are discouraged from coming to Maui, opting for Kauai instead.
Most of the apartment-zoned properties on the Minatoya list are older buildings that are now requiring major renovations like new roofs, new plumbing, and concrete work. These projects add sizeable assessments of tens of thousands of dollars per owner on top of their mortgage, tax, insurance, and AOAO payments. I wouldn't be able to afford one of those apartments. I don't think eliminating STRs will solve our housing crisis. Instead, I suggest cracking down on illegal rentals and focusing on adding new affordable houses to buy and to rent. Let's keep looking for a better solution--one that doesn't hurt so many people already struggling to make ends meet.
Thank you for receiving my testimony. I encourage this committee to recommend denial.
Mahalo,
Lisa Bryant
Wailuku, Maui
"Dear members of the Housing and Land Use Committee,
As a concerned renter and member of our community, I urge you to support the Minatoya short-term rental (STR) phase-out. This policy is a necessary step toward restoring housing affordability and availability for residents.
Research shows that phasing out short-term rentals can reduce local rents by 6–14%, making a real difference for working families and individuals struggling with the high cost of living. In addition, it would free up much-needed housing inventory currently tied up in the STR market—units that could otherwise provide stable homes for long-term residents.
Renters are being priced out of the communities we work in and contribute to. Prioritizing housing for residents over tourists is a matter of fairness, sustainability, and economic stability.
Please stand with local residents and take action to support the Minatoya STR phase-out. Our community can’t afford to wait.
Sincerely,
Joelene Kuaana
Upcountry Maui
Opposed
Dear Councilmembers,
I’m writing today to express my opposition to Bill 9 as currently written, and to ask that Papakea Oceanfront Resort be specifically excluded. Papakea has long been treated as A2-H2 zoned by the County, and this recognition should continue.
A Little Context About Papakea
• Papakea was established and sold as a legal vacation rental destination well before any zoning rules restricted short-term rentals in apartment-type zones.
• Owners at Papakea have been operating short-term rentals legally for nearly five decades.
• This property was never intended for — or used as — workforce housing. It’s simply not a case of homes being taken away from local long-term residents.
• The majority of Papakea units are quite small (under 600 square feet), and the property has limited parking — it’s not set up for typical long-term residential use.
• Papakea is located in an area surrounded by hotel and commercially zoned properties — not in a residential neighborhood. It functions as a resort, with a staffed front desk, concierge services, and a range of shared amenities designed for short-term guests.
• Buyers made their purchases with the understanding that short-term rentals were legal, an understanding based on official County rules and documentation going back to 1989 and as recently as 2022.
• Owners also made long-term investments in good faith — often taking on mortgages, upgrading their units, and furnishing them for guests — based on those laws. Changing the rules now undermines those expectations and would unfairly penalize responsible property owners.
Papakea’s Positive Local Impact
• The resort provides stable, full-time jobs to 35 Maui residents — with benefits. Many of these team members have been working there for over 17 years, having grown into leadership roles over time.
• Papakea contracts with a wide range of local professionals — electricians, painters, pest control, tile installers, general contractors, fitness teachers, and more — helping keep small businesses going.
Local Economic Support by Individual Owners
• A lot of locally owned small businesses — cleaners, handymen, contractors, property managers — rely on work generated by short-term rentals at Papakea. These are independent workers who choose their clients and hours. If these rentals are shut down, it’s not just income lost — it’s control over their livelihoods and independence.
• Papakea STRs also contribute substantial tax revenue through property taxes (at STR rates), TAT, GET, and more. These funds support vital public services.
• Visitors who stay at Papakea help keep other small Maui businesses alive — from restaurants and food trucks to shops, tour companies, and park vendors.
• Finally, many owners and guests give back by volunteering with local organizations — whether it's beach cleanups, local shelters, or community fundraising events.
I appreciate your time, and all the effort you’ve put into addressing this issue. Thank you for hearing our voices.
Warm regards,
Terry Gardiner
Owner of H401 at the Papakea
Out of the millions of dollars created from high STR taxes, wouldn’t it be a great idea to use the money to create infrastructure to support building of affordable housing? Create water, wastewater, and electricity infrastructure to support developers as incentive to building affordable housing.
From the UHERO Report
“the reduction in visitor accommodations is projected to decrease total visitor spending by $900 million annually, resulting in job losses and a contraction in household income and GDP. Additionally, a decline in property values and economic activity would shrink county tax revenues, contributing to an estimated $75 million annual gap by 2029.”
In addition to the income lost, voting for removal of legally operated STRs will cost the county much more money in legal fees to fight a case that will likely be lost due to a violation of property rights. The odds of a legal case are at or near 100% should the bill pass. Your vote will be remembered when the county has to tell the people of Maui it wasted millions of their tax dollars fighting a losing case. Also, one of the alternatives suggested by UHERO was to increase STR taxes. Well, the county already did that. Maui is one of the highest TAT taxes on the planet. Use that money for the people of Maui for affordable housing infrastructure.
We, Maui, is in critical need to have the housing market opened for permanent long-term residents. It is only fair and pono that housing be legally established and Bill 9 with help promote that or create opening the housing market for our long-term residents.
Dear Chair Kama, Vice Chair Uʻu-Hodgins and Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee:
I oppose Bill 9 as drafted and propose that the Council amend Bill 9 to exclude Papakea Oceanfront Resort which the County has historically identified as having A2-H2 zoning.
Background on Papakea
Papakea was initially marketed and sold as a legal vacation rental property before any zoning restrictions limited transient vacation rentals in apartment zoned properties.
Papakea owners have been operating legal vacation rentals for almost fifty years.
Papakea has never been workforce housing so Papakea is not an example of a property that converted from workforce housing to transient vacation rental use.
The majority of units at Papakea are under 600 square feet and the property has limited parking.
Papakea is not in a residential neighborhood and is located alongside a long stretch of hotel-zoned properties and directly adjacent to multiple commercially-zoned properties.
Unlike apartment buildings designed for long-term residential use, Papakea has a front desk, an activity concierge, shared activity space, and numerous other common resort amenities.
Owners purchased condos at Papakea with the reasonable expectation that short-term rentals were legal based on ordinances as far back as 1989, and as recent as 2022.
In reliance on the Maui County ordinances and published documents, Hawaii state law, and constitutional protections, owners invested in costly renovations, furnishings, and long-term financial commitments such as mortgages that make any phase out of short-term rental right offensive of each buyer’s investment-backed expectations.
Papakea’s Contributions to the Community
Papakea’s resort operations provide full-time, benefited, employment for 35 local resident employees; some have worked at the property for over 17 years; some started in entry-level positions and worked into supervisory roles.
Papakea supports a wide variety of local trade professionals including pest control, HVAC, painting, plumbing, electrical, general contracting, masonry, tile and flooring, fitness instructors, entertainers, and tree trimming.
Individual Owner Contributions to the Community
Many small businesses owned and operated by local residents from the Maui community rely on Papakea short-term rentals including housekeepers, handymen, on-island agents, and contractors. These service providers set their own rates, work hours, select their own clients, work conditions and standard operating procedures. Shutting down short-term rentals at Papakea means telling local entrepreneurs that worked hard to build a small business that they need to just go get a job somewhere else to make less money, have less flexibility, and be subject to oppressive corporate policies.
Papakea STRs support the State of Hawaii and County of Maui through payment of property taxes (many at the short-term rental rate), Transient Accommodations Tax, General Excise Tax, and Maui County Transient Accommodations Tax.
Papakea guests support many small businesses on the island including restaurants, food trucks, tour operators, activities, state parks, the national park, and shops.
Papakea owners and guests regularly participate in community activities including volunteering at beach cleanups, Maui Humane Society, the hospital, and many other local organizations, and contribute to local philanthropic nd cultural efforts.
I would like to thank the committee for the opportunity to comment.
Sincerely,
Name Ronald Bower
3543 Lower Honoapiilani Road,
Dear Chair Kama, Vice Chair Uʻu-Hodgins and Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee:
I oppose Bill 9 as drafted and propose that the Council amend Bill 9 to exclude Papakea Oceanfront Resort which the County has historically identified as having A2-H2 zoning.
Background on Papakea
• Papakea was initially marketed and sold as a legal vacation rental property before any zoning restrictions limited transient vacation rentals in apartment zoned properties.
• Papakea owners have been operating legal vacation rentals for almost fifty years.
• Papakea has never been workforce housing so Papakea is not an example of a property that converted from workforce housing to transient vacation rental use.
• The majority of units at Papakea are under 600 square feet and the property has limited parking.
• Papakea is not in a residential neighborhood and is located alongside a long stretch of hotel-zoned properties and directly adjacent to multiple commercially-zoned properties.
Unlike apartment buildings designed for long-term residential use, Papakea has a front desk, an activity concierge, shared activity space, and numerous other common resort amenities.
• Owners purchased condos at Papakea with the reasonable expectation that short-term rentals were legal based on ordinances as far back as 1989, and as recent as 2022.
• In reliance on the Maui County ordinances and published documents, Hawaii state law, and constitutional protections, owners invested in costly renovations, furnishings, and long-term financial commitments such as mortgages that make any phase out of short-term rental right offensive of each buyer’s investment-backed expectations.
Papakea’s Contributions to the Community
• Papakea’s resort operations provide full-time, benefited, employment for 35 local resident employees; some have worked at the property for over 17 years; some started in entry-level positions and worked into supervisory roles.
• Papakea supports a wide variety of local trade professionals including pest control, HVAC, painting, plumbing, electrical, general contracting, masonry, tile and flooring, fitness instructors, entertainers, and tree trimming.
Individual Owner Contributions to the Community
• Many small businesses owned and operated by local residents from the Maui community rely on Papakea short-term rentals including housekeepers, handymen, on-island agents, and contractors. These service providers set their own rates, work hours, select their own clients, work conditions and standard operating procedures. Shutting down short-term rentals at Papakea means telling local entrepreneurs that worked hard to build a small business that they need to just go get a job somewhere else to make less money, have less flexibility, and be subject to oppressive corporate policies.
• Papakea STRs support the State of Hawaii and County of Maui through payment of property taxes (many at the short-term rental rate), Transient Accommodations Tax, General Excise Tax, and Maui County Transient Accommodations Tax.
• Papakea guests support many small businesses on the island including restaurants, food trucks, tour operators, activities, state parks, the national park, and shops.
• Papakea owners and guests regularly participate in community activities including volunteering at beach cleanups, Maui Humane Society, the hospital, and many other local organizations, and contribute to local philanthropic nd cultural efforts.
Thanks to the committee for your hard work the opportunity to give imput.
Thank you,
Jill Oudil
Unit H401 - 3543 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Lahaina
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members,
My name is Scott Chong. I am a former Hawai‘i resident and current owner of a short-term rental (STR) property at the Kihei Bay Surf in Maui County. I’m writing to express my deep concern and strong opposition to HLU-4 Bill 9, which proposes phasing out over 7,000 vacation rentals.
I and our local property management staff have worked hard to be a responsible and community-focused owner. I promote local restaurants, tour guides, and small businesses. I employ local cleaners, maintenance technicians, property managers, and landscapers. My guests often choose vacation rentals not only because of hotel costs, but because they seek a more personal, authentic experience, one that reflects a less "commercial" Maui that they remember.
Many have told me they wouldn’t have visited at all without a vacation rental option. That decision matter, not just to me, but to the many small businesses they supported while here. These guests explore beyond the hotel corridor, spending their time and money in local communities.
Income from STRs helps sustain local jobs, cover maintenance costs, special assessments, and major insurance increases after the fires.
This legislation feels rushed and imbalanced. I respectfully urge the Council to collaborate with owners like myself to create a fair, responsible path forward, one that preserves local employment, protects the economy, and upholds high operational standards, without eliminating an entire segment of housing that supports Maui’s recovery and future.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Scott Chong
650-218-7386
I strongly oppose to Bill 9, which proposes to phase out short-term rental (STR) rights for condominium units located in the Apartment zoning district. Papakea is zoned H2/A2 and therefore this would be a violation of vested property rights. Many owners purchased units in full reliance on the legal right to conduct short-term rentals, which have been longstanding and legally permitted under existing zoning and County policy. Phasing out these rights represents a de facto taking of property use without compensation and severely undermines trust in County governance.
Best,
Val Jones
Hello, I am the owner of Unit 705 at The Kuleana,
3959 Lower Honoapiilini Rd.
For the record: These are my monthly expenses
Mortgage: $2588 ($31,056 annual)
HOA Fees: $1040 ($12,480 annual)
Utilities $140 ($1680.00 annual)
Insurance $50 ($600.00 annual)
Property taxes $927 ($11,124 annual)
Utilities $95 ($1140 annual)
Misc $150 ($1800.00 annual)
I employ housekeepers, maintenance (when necessary)
these expenses are increasing yearly
I'm proud to state I have repeating guests among new guests who help support the economy
Margie Chiechi
408-482-5086
margieclaire@gmail.com
Dear Chair Kama, Vice Chair Uʻu-Hodgins and Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee:
I oppose Bill 9 as drafted and propose that the Council amend Bill 9 to exclude Papakea Oceanfront Resort which the County has historically identified as having A2-H2 zoning.
Background on Papakea
Papakea was initially marketed and sold as a legal vacation rental property before any zoning restrictions limited transient vacation rentals in apartment zoned properties.
Papakea owners have been operating legal vacation rentals for almost fifty years.
Papakea has never been workforce housing so Papakea is not an example of a property that converted from workforce housing to transient vacation rental use.
The majority of units at Papakea are under 600 square feet and the property has limited parking.
Papakea is not in a residential neighborhood and is located alongside a long stretch of hotel-zoned properties and directly adjacent to multiple commercially-zoned properties.
Unlike apartment buildings designed for long-term residential use, Papakea has a front desk, an activity concierge, shared activity space, and numerous other common resort amenities.
Owners purchased condos at Papakea with the reasonable expectation that short-term rentals were legal based on ordinances as far back as 1989, and as recent as 2022.
In reliance on the Maui County ordinances and published documents, Hawaii state law, and constitutional protections, owners invested in costly renovations, furnishings, and long-term financial commitments such as mortgages that make any phase out of short-term rental right offensive of each buyer’s investment-backed expectations.
Papakea’s Contributions to the Community
Papakea’s resort operations provide full-time, benefited, employment for 35 local resident employees; some have worked at the property for over 17 years; some started in entry-level positions and worked into supervisory roles.
Papakea supports a wide variety of local trade professionals including pest control, HVAC, painting, plumbing, electrical, general contracting, masonry, tile and flooring, fitness instructors, entertainers, and tree trimming.
Individual Owner Contributions to the Community
Many small businesses owned and operated by local residents from the Maui community rely on Papakea short-term rentals including housekeepers, handymen, on-island agents, and contractors. These service providers set their own rates, work hours, select their own clients, work conditions and standard operating procedures. Shutting down short-term rentals at Papakea means telling local entrepreneurs that worked hard to build a small business that they need to just go get a job somewhere else to make less money, have less flexibility, and be subject to oppressive corporate policies.
Papakea STRs support the State of Hawaii and County of Maui through payment of property taxes (many at the short-term rental rate), Transient Accommodations Tax, General Excise Tax, and Maui County Transient Accommodations Tax.
Papakea guests support many small businesses on the island including restaurants, food trucks, tour operators, activities, state parks, the national park, and shops.
Papakea owners and guests regularly participate in community activities including volunteering at beach cleanups, Maui Humane Society, the hospital, and many other local organizations, and contribute to local philanthropic and cultural efforts.
I would like to thank the committee for the opportunity to comment.
Sincerely,
Kim Vernor
3543 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Apartment J203