I am writing to express my strong opposition to Bill 9, which proposes the phasing out of short-term rentals in Maui. I firmly believe that this bill, if passed, will have detrimental consequences on the local economy and small businesses that rely on short-term rentals for their survival.
The effects of this bill will be felt most dramatically by small businesses, resulting in a significant downturn that could push the county's economy into recession. While affordable housing is an important issue, I feel that the true intentions behind this bill may be to benefit hotels by eliminating competition from short-term rentals.
Despite claims of a housing shortage, there are numerous condos and homes currently available for sale in Maui. This leads me to question the necessity of targeting short-term rentals specifically. It is evident that this bill will not only harm the local economy but also jeopardize the livelihoods of those who depend on the short-term rental business to make ends meet.
I urge you as council members to consider the severe impact that Bill 9 could have on Maui and its residents. Please stand with us in opposition to this bill and protect our local economy and the well-being of our community members who rely on short-term rentals for their livelihoods.
Thank you for your attention to this pressing matter.
My name is Paul Carter from Waihe’e , and I’m writing in strong support of Bill 9
I am testifying on behalf of myself and my family And for all those who live and work here on Maui.
We are here to do what is right. That is our right. That is our kuleana. What is legal or permitted in the law is not always what’s right. Then it is our duty and our government’s duty to change the law to align the laws with what is right. But first and foremost, it is our duty, our work and our privilege to do what is right, and to correct wrongs whenever we can. That is why we are here today. It may have been technically legal to manipulate the system and allow short-term rentals in the Minatoya apartments, but let’s be very clear. It was never right it went completely against the intention and agreements of the people who established those buildings. It is your duty as council members to correct that. It has been far too many years already. This should’ve been corrected years ago. And certainly this bill should’ve been heard at least a year ago when it was passed through the planning commission. Not only have many people had to move away from Maui, thousands, but there are an estimate of thousands more who are on the edge of not being able to afford their rent and the current costs of living here. This bill should be passed now, and these apartments should be converted in the next year, not 5 to 10 years.
These units should be converted
to long-term rentals within the next year. This will add thousands of available long-term rentals and help bring down the cost of rentals in general providing housing for the many who need it right now, not in five years, right now. And next year.
And to those owners who say they won’t be able to afford their mortgage payments, well, they can do like the rest of us who live here legally. They can apply for mortgage assistance, they can look for a legal addition to their income to help them pay for their investment, or they can sell the property. But it is not the counties or the people‘s responsibility to help these people pay their mortgage on their investment properties. Right?
.
Also, I respectfully ask for no carve-outs or special protections for timeshares
Mahalo
Paul Carter
201 River Road
Waihe’e , Hawaii
Sent from my iPhone
My name is Nancy Moy. I own a short-term rental property in Maui County in the Honokowai area. I am writing today to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed legislation to phase out more than 7,000 vacation rentals.
From the time I owned my small 460 sq. ft. condominium in Paki Maui in 2010, I have always strived to be a responsible and community-oriented owner. I recommend local restaurants and tour guides in my welcome guide. My guests write about eating at the nearby restaurants such as The Fish Market, Okazuya plate lunch, Java Jazz, Miso Phat, and Joey's on the guest book. They get their massage at Zensations Spa, and their groceries at Times Supermarket, Napili Market and of course, the Farmer's Market. These are just a few of the many ways my small condo contribute to the local community. My guests often leave Maui saying they felt more connected to the island because of the personal experience they had in my home.
I employ local service providers — cleaners, maintenance techs, and landscapers — many of whom I have become good friends with over the years and they are the reason I look forward to visiting every year.
Owning in this complex has not been easy. We’ve faced huge maintenance costs, special assessments, and massive increases in insurance after the fires. These aren’t luxuries — they’re costs that ensure the property remains safe, functional, and appealing. STR income helps cover those costs while supporting local workers. The association dues alone for my small unit is $800 a month.
I urge you to please keep these things in mind as you navigate the future of short term rentals in Maui. Maui is my second home and just like the workers, restaurants, and other small businesses in the area, I too, depend on the income generated from STR to pay for the high monthly maintenance and upkeep costs.
Dear council members,
Bill 9 will devastate Maui‘s economy.
Besides losing all the TAT and GET taxes, there’s so Maui will lose. Visitors staying at STR‘s help support local businesses in so many way. The big resorts in Wailea and Kanapali do not support local businesses. Their guests do not support local business like the guest in STRs. Guests at STR are more like to eat at local restaurants, book local entertainment, but from local vendors. Maui will lose more tourism without STRs. These visitors will find other place to go. Most do not want to stay at a large resort and will find new places to go other than Maui. Maui needs to find a better solution. This has been a problem for the last 10 years. Maui need to be proactive and start reducing their red tape and start building affordable housing, like 5 years ago.
Bill 9 will destroy Maui economy. Sadly more families will have to leave seeking jobs. No jobs, nothing is affordable.
Deb Crowl
Dear council members,
Bill 9 will devastate Maui‘s economy.
Besides losing all the TAT and GET taxes, there’s so Maui will lose. Visitors staying at STR‘s help support local businesses in so many way. The big resorts in Wailea and Kanapali do not support local businesses. Their guests do not support local business like the guest in STRs. Guests at STR are more like to eat at local restaurants, book local entertainment, but from local vendors. Maui will lose more tourism without STRs. These visitors will find other place to go. Most do not want to stay at a large resort and will find new places to go other than Maui. Maui needs to find a better solution. This has been a problem for the last 10 years. Maui need to be proactive and start reducing their red tape and start building affordable housing, like 5 years ago.
Bill 9 will destroy Maui economy. Sadly more families will have to leave seeking jobs. No jobs, nothing is affordable.
Deb Crowl
I am writing to express my strong support for the ban on short-term rentals (STRs), within properties that were originally designated as workforce housing.
As a condo owner at Pacific Shores, I have witnessed firsthand the detrimental impact of the increasing number of STRs in our complex. For many years, Pacific Shores served as a stable and thriving community for its residents. However, since short-term rentals have become prevalent, our HOA fees have nearly tripled. This significant increase is largely due to the excessive utilization of our shared resources, including water, propane, and trash pickup, by short-term visitors. These units are frequently occupied at their maximum capacity, placing a disproportionate burden on our infrastructure compared to the usage of full-time residents.
Furthermore, the disrespect and lack of consideration shown by some visitors towards the owners and residents who call Pacific Shores their permanent home is deeply concerning and has significantly diminished our quality of life.
Pacific Shores was originally built to serve as workforce housing, and I firmly believe it is essential to return it to this intended purpose. While resorts designed specifically for tourism may be appropriate for short-term rentals, their proliferation in residential communities like ours erodes the sense of community and stability that residents deserve.
I urge you to seriously consider implementing the ban on short-term rentals in developments like Pacific Shores that were originally intended for workforce housing. This action would be a crucial step in restoring affordability, community spirit, and overall quality of life for the residents who call these places home.
Mahalo for your time and consideration of this vital issue.
i am a 23 year owner and part-time resident in Haleakala Shores, Kihei. I am heavily in favor of creating affordable housing. Please do let me know how I could help.
I oppose the taking of my unit back, and not allowing as STR because I'm 100% sure it will not work as affordable housing. And in addition, I pretty sure no one will rent it at all as long term. In 2024, my monthly expenses (HOA dues, property tax, mortgage and insurance is $3639 per month. To rent I would have to charge $3784 per month for a 2bd/2ba, no pets, no storage, and 1 parking place. Just to break even.
It has been a legal STR since 1973.
Another point, the county of Maui will get sued and will have to payout ... i calculate over $500 million in lost property value. Why not instead offer to subsidize owner's like me who change to long term. My other home, North Lake Tahoe, where we care about the land and need affordable housing desperately did this (see Truckee town subsidies for converted housing).
How about using the $500 million you would lose to buy out all developments in progress like Wailea 670 and turn into affordable housing project? After all, who is Wailea 670 new homes/condos built for? I don't get it.
How about change development laws so all new development have to make 80% affordable housing and 20% "their choice"?
Finally, thank you for your time and being on the council. Your public service is greatly appreciated by all of us.
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.
I oppose this bill, which would disallow TVRs, that have been legal since they were built over 35 years ago.
I fully support more housing, specifically affordable housing for locals. This bill will not allow for this. These units were built in areas that are apartment-zoned but with the intention and approval to be used as STRs. They were designed for short-term stays. As such, most of them have only one stall per unit, no storage, and high HOA fees to maintain the landscaping and pools. Many of these properties are ocean front, which increases the yearly maintenance costs and puts them at risk of being lost to sea level rise in the future. They are also old and will require ever-increasing "special assessment" fees for maintenance and repair.
Our County has had over 30 years to try and get ahead of the housing crisis and now wants to use private property owners as the scapegoat for our failed solutions. These units didn't create a lack of housing, they didn't take away from other housing that should have been built. But now they are an easy target because of their imperfect zoning and history. We should be working on real solutions for new affordable housing not casting blame and threatening to steal people's equity. "But they don't live here, so they don't matter." is a really sad way of looking at this situation. Just because someone doesn't live here doesn't mean they should be treated as less-than and have their property rights trampled with the false promise of the "greater good".
And what about the economy? This keeps getting downplayed by people who are not economists or businesspeople. If we want to move away from tourism, we need to start that process and have it show promise and success before cutting off our main revenue driver. The economic projections are from bad to worse, yet they get downplayed as if it is easy to make up tens of millions in revenue.
Sadly, if this gets approved, it will hurt many of the people who are pushing the hardest for it. We all want the same thing more: affordable housing for our local families. This, unfortunately, is not the solution.
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.
Born and raised in Hawaii, with deep roots here, I feel compelled to comment as I think this is a very important issue. I do not own a Short-Term Rental. No one in my family owns a short term rental.
And yet - I do not support taking them away from those who have worked hard to purchase them!
Tourism is a good thing for Maui, and it's time we remember our Aloha spirit, our Ho'okipa. The tourists want to come here to spread enormous amounts of wealth. To be mad at that is to spit in the face of God and what he has given you. To be mad at that, is to be mad at a girl with a beautiful voice for singing. It makes no sense.
We must embrace tourism, and show Aloha once more. Not only that, but by embracing and encouraging tourism on a local level - and not just at international megacorp-owned hotels - we can spread the Aloha and the blessings around. It's not just about money. Hawaii is a special place, and I have had some wonderful moments sharing the beauty and joy of this land with eager visitors. Why should we deny one of the world's most beautiful places? Why should we share it with hatred in our hearts, and a nickel-and-dime attitude toward the visitors? I think that is wrong.
I think this bill is an extension of that attitude. This bill is not really about housing, it is about hate. It is about hate towards the haole, the mainlander, and the tourist. If housing is the issue, we would simply build more. For, there can be no gain through theft. Stealing the Short-Term Rentals and trying to force their owners to make them long term rentals is a form of theft. These rentals were, by and large, intended to be short term rental accommodations. They were purchased for the same purpose. Through the Minatoya list, the County accepted these as Short-Term Rentals not only in practice, but in writing. To pull the rug now is just mean spirited.
Instead, if more housing is desired, we should build some. If we can relax regulations and streamline the permitting process for the Lahaina rebuild, which we should, we can relax them other places. Rather than focusing all this negative energy on violating property rights and ruining not only a group of well intentioned hard working people's investments, we could be focusing positive energy on solving real problems. We could be having a hard discussion about where to get water from, and how to supply the island with enough water for sustainable and safe development.
Instead, millions of dollars are wasted directly, millions more are lost in property values, millions more are lost in diminished tax revenue. Jobs are lost. Investors are turned away. Hate and tension is created. And why? For what? For an unfeasible idea that simply won't work in any event. The Minatoya list condos are not suitable for most local families.
We need to stop this divisive hate. We need to acknowledge that Short-Term Rental owners are our friends and neighbors, and not a class of hostile enemy. We need to encourage Aloha spirit again, and realize that tourism is actually a fountain of wealth that we should be grateful for, not irritated about. We need to reject this bill and focus on helping the community through positive action instead of negative.
My name is James Cameron, and I own property in the Kapalua Resort in Maui County. I am writing to express my 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.
In addition to all of the rationale delineated below, there is also a straight forward FAIRNESS issue. All of the Kapalua Bay, Ridge and Golf Villa owners purchased their property under clear precedence whereby short-term rentals were the norm. To retroactively change the conditions that have been in place since every owner purchased their properties is quite frankly wrong and unfair.
The Kapalua Resort is a master planned resort community, planned, approved, constructed, and sold for primarily vacation use, including short-term rental. They have been used continuously to include short-term rentals for over 45 years. Their use has never changed. They have never been affordable housing. Nor have they ever been workforce housing.
Owners in the Kapalua Resort, like me, support the local Maui community. We frequent and recommend many local businesses, in addition to food establishments, grocery stores and employ many local service providers, many of whom have become valued friends over the years. Sadly, the proposed ordinance has already damaged tourism and negatively impacted the local community.
The Kapalua Bay, Ridge, and Golf Villas are not suitable for affordable family housing and are very expensive to buy. Annual maintenance is hugely expensive for Owners and can exceed over $32,000. Insurance and taxes are grossly high cost and continue to increase. Future building repairs will have exorbitant costs for 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 the 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,
James Cameron
Aloha members of the Maui County Planning Commission,
I respectfully urge you to reconsider the proposed ban on short-term rentals (STRs) in Maui County. According to the University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization (UHERO) study, STRs contributed over $1.2 billion to Maui’s economy in 2022 alone. These rentals support more than 10,000 local jobs across a wide range of industries, including hospitality, maintenance, transportation, and food services. Eliminating STRs would not only destabilize a key economic driver but also jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands of local families who depend on this sector—many of whom are small business owners and local residents, not off-island investors.
Furthermore, local businesses—from mom-and-pop cafes to tour operators—thrive on the steady flow of guests who choose STRs for their affordability and cultural immersion. STR guests tend to stay longer and spend more in local communities compared to hotel visitors, often patronizing neighborhood shops and services. A blanket ban would shift visitors to resort zones, further centralizing tourism income and creating economic disparity across the island. We can protect housing availability without dismantling a vital part of our local economy. A balanced approach that includes regulation and enforcement, rather than an outright ban, is the path forward for Maui’s sustainability and prosperity.
My monthly condo expenses total $4,565. If I am unable to rent short-term, I will not be able to rent long-term, because no local tenant can afford to pay that much. This is the only condo I own, it’s my life savings and retirement, and I will go bankrupt.
The UHERO report concludes that phasing out STR would cost:
$900 million in annual tourism revenue
1,900 lost jobs - A nightmare
decrease GDP 4%
$75 million in annual tax revenue
I respectfully urged you to consider how this will kill tourism, jobs, and businesses.
Please don't ruin Maui's economy! I am a Maui homeowner who is unaffected directly by this bill. However, this is economic suicide for the people you say you're trying to save! This is like "cutting off the hand to save the foot", or "building a nursery when a child is already 5 years old." This is the wrong solution to the problem you are trying to solve.
My name is Renee Lach, and my sister and I are proud owners of a short-term rental (STR) property in Maui County. A home we purchased from our parents, who lovingly maintained it for nearly 20 years. I’m writing to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed legislation that would phase out over 7,000 vacation rentals.
This proposal is not just about property, it’s about people. My family has always approached ownership in Maui with deep respect for the island and its community. There is truly no place on earth more beautiful, and we feel privileged to be stewards of a home here. We’ve hired a local property manager who has been with us for over 15 years, along with her team of housekeepers, landscapers, and maintenance professionals, many of whom have become like family. In our welcome guide, we share personal recommendations that highlight local gems like Duke’s, Bad Ass Coffee, and various island tours and activities. Our guests often tell us that these local touches helped them feel a deeper, more personal connection to Maui. One they simply wouldn’t have found in a hotel!
Many of our guests return year after year, including one tenant who has visited every January for 20 consecutive years, two sisters who began coming with their husbands, now return as widows to honor old memories and create new ones. This is the kind of connection that builds lifelong loyalty to Maui and supports countless small businesses.
But here’s the truth: the majority of our guests tell us they would not come to Maui at all if short-term rentals weren’t available. Hotels and timeshares don’t offer the space, flexibility, or affordability that families and long-term visitors need. STRs are not a threat to tourism, they are part of its evolution. They support the very foundation of the visitor economy and contribute deeply to the character of the community.
The economic consequences of this legislation are staggering. According to research by the Travel Technology Association and Kloninger & Sims:
If only Mayor Minatoya’s List of STRs are phased out, Maui County would lose:
• $53.3 to $91.8 million in RPT, TAT, and GET tax revenue
• $1.3 billion in economic output
• 7,800 local jobs
If all STRs are removed, the losses jump to:
• $128.3 to $280.9 million in tax revenue
• $2.2 billion in economic output
• 23,000 local jobs
These aren’t just numbers, they represent livelihoods, small businesses, and essential services. STR guests spent $2.2 billion in 2023 in Maui County alone. Across Hawai‘i, that figure reached $11.3 billion and supported 66,000 jobs. What is the County’s plan to replace this revenue and protect the local economy and jobs?
Owning in Maui is not without its challenges. We’ve weathered steep increases in insurance following the fires (nearly 40%), rising maintenance costs, and special assessments ($30,000 in 2024), all to preserve our property and keep it safe, welcoming, and functional. STR income helps make this possible while keeping local service providers employed.
This legislation feels rushed and punitive. Instead of shutting down an industry that has demonstrated both economic and community value, I urge the Council to collaborate with responsible owners to find balanced, enforceable solutions. We are not your adversaries, we want to be part of the answer.
Mahalo for your time and consideration. I respectfully ask you to vote against this legislation and work toward a future that honors the needs of residents, visitors, and Maui’s economy alike.
Aloha Chair. I am a transplant. I know I'm only a bit less hated than STR owners but since I now live here and vote here that's all that matters for sending this in.
I came here from SoCal where costs are high like here. Housing expensive like here. Cali has fires, like here. A lot is alike. Cali is the World's 3rd largest economy. Maui County is only viable because of tourism. Want proof? Look over at Molokai. Look at Samoa. People here are nostalgic over the old days, even though they are 32. I lived in Cuba under Castro and know what poverty looks like and Molokai seems worse. I realize losing these strs won't send Maui into Castro territory but having moved around a lot I have some perspectives.
None of these owners bought out of malice or hate. They bought because they loved Maui. Think of all the places in the world and they chose Maui. Broke no laws and literally hurt and took nothing from anybody.
But that's the argument that they are evil, they are colonizers and they are full of malice and hate. Not the case.
Maui council remember that all this rhetoric at the owners is becoming toxic and hateful and then they do it back.
This is a very human situation so you have to see both sides as humans first.
Owners did lawful real estate purchases, ran tax paying businesses and I'm sure all they care is not losing the money they worked a lifetime for. Remember, they worked hard, saved up, followed the law, bought places anyone could have bought. Nothing stolen nobody hurt.
Now their opponents are saying screw what you worked for and earned and LET US HAVE IT. Let us have it to use for our friends and our family.
Did they work any number of years to buy one of those properties? No
Did they earn money to pay for furnishing or decorating those places? No
Did they pay special assessments to make sure the roof was water proof? No
Did they pay all the taxes related to the property? No
Did they spend tens, even hundreds of thousands of dollars making a 40 year old condo look 1 year old? No
Did they replace the appliances when they broke? No
Did they do ANYTHING other than be born on Maui (and I know many of these kids, some transplanted AFTER me) and then DEMAND the right to live in these properties?
Yeah I know its disqualifying to not be from here, but I've been here and other places long enough to look, watch and see.
None of this is right and I know there are some people of faith on council who see what I see and know this phase out isn't right.
I vote neutral in hopes you read my testimony and consider it. I came here with a 9 figure net worth and live up in Haiku and it won't matter one bit what you vote. But I didn't get where I am being unfair to people. Owners investments and futures need to be considered and they are no less human that the kids sitting on the beach for making housing a priority. The lie that they own 20 properties hasn't been proven. $750M net worth and I don't have 20 properties so be honest in this discussion. Housing is needed. These kids have valid point. But just because someone was "flown here not gown here" doesn't make them less of a person.
You all know you need STR revenue
You know a very small percentage of these units will ever become long term properties
You know that there are hundreds of places currently for sale and rent that could house every single person needing place
You know many of them are weeks and months, some over a year on the market
You know that these places aren't being taken because they are expensive
You know that no amount of wish-casting will make these condos truly affordable
You know that "converting" or "phasing out" doesn't magically make these places that no locals bought all of a sudden more appealing or affordable
" No one knows how better to care for Hawaiʻi, our island home, than those of us who have lived here for thousands of years" Haunani Kay-Trask
I thank you for this important meeting and Bill 9 as it reflects the urgent importance of living standards and respect for residents of Maui versus those eating up the resources and space with their colonial entitlement occupations. I support Bill 9. The long term residents are the heart of the community. I am a settler from the continent and have been here for only 14 years, I do not own anything and rent with my partner who is from the islands. We work in the community, we give to our community, learn from our community and are accountable to our community. My contribution to Maui doesn’t just come from the money I give to restaurants or stores or small businesses, or my taxes but comes from the boots on the ground, the hands in the soil, and the accountability that I offer everyday that I live here. It is so clearly entitled supremacy I read and when I listen to the occupied owners of the STRʻs. They think they are Kapalua and somehow they made it a place. Somehow they think their money is the community. It is horrific as the continuation of predominantly American occupiers think they are what makes Hawaii work. I know that local families do own STRʻs and this income supports their families. I know that solutions to housing are going to hurt some people but the majority of people who own do NOT want to live here and are not solutions to the massive crisis that Maui residents face everyday.
As far as Bill 9 I do have questions, the amendments made on June 3rd to make this go into effect 5 years from now. This bill needs to go into effect much sooner as in 5 years there is a devastation effect to Hawaii at large with the lack of housing and the detrimental effects of colonial occupation for tourism. I understand there are complications for all these owners that think they deserve to take up space because they bought in an illegally occupied nation. Yet 5 years seems way too long given the dire circumstance of housing needs. I also question the stated amendment reading “Clarifies that validly existing time share units or time share plans are exempt from being phased out;” how is it possible that these time shares are given exemptions from phase out? Given the issues with overuse of water, the diaspora, homeless disaster, illegal occupation, Hawaiian homelands still not being awarded, why would these STRʻs be given preferential treatment? Why are there exemptions given to them versus the actual people of Hawaii that have not been given any exceptions for land and housing that has been taken from them. The days of giving colonial pleasures exceptions over local families' living has come to end. I would also hope that the council continues to place restrictions on neighborhood owned vacation rental houses to restore a sense of place for the people who live here and the safety for the children.
I understand that the taxes and all the things give money but the fact is with that comes entitlement. The residents of this place cannot continue to be second-class citizens. I know there are good people who live here that live in other nations and that they love Maui. Yet the majority of what this brings is the contribution to how things work such as, making the prices skyrocket, the beaches overcrowded, the community their servants, the water disappear, the traffic unbearable, maintenance of homelessness and the diaspora of local families. I ask how many trees have they planted for the native ecosystem, how many streams have they worked to protect, how many teachers have they thanked, how many families have they helped to rise, how many local neighbors do they know, how many legislative sessions have they stood with local families? These are the differences of occupation owners versus people living in a place. The short term rentals are houses that should be for families that live here. Long term families should not be without housing so out of town people can come occupy when they or their friends like. The data is in the short term rentals and Minatoya list needs to be dealt with. I am thankful for the Maui County council and the Mayor for standing for the people. I support Bill 9 and stand with the people of Lahaina Strong, Lahaina Community Land trust, Maui Housing Hui, HAPA, and the other countless living and past residents of Maui and the need for housing to remain accessible and community owned. Phase out these STRʻs and if the owners are not happy that is ok. Local families are not happy, nor consenting, or thriving from all the years of illegal and continued suffering because of American occupation.
I support Bill 9. Housing for the community first and now.
Thank you Pahnelopi McKenzie
I am strongly opposed to short term rentals.
Dear Council Members,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to Bill 9, which proposes the phasing out of short-term rentals in Maui. I firmly believe that this bill, if passed, will have detrimental consequences on the local economy and small businesses that rely on short-term rentals for their survival.
The effects of this bill will be felt most dramatically by small businesses, resulting in a significant downturn that could push the county's economy into recession. While affordable housing is an important issue, I feel that the true intentions behind this bill may be to benefit hotels by eliminating competition from short-term rentals.
Despite claims of a housing shortage, there are numerous condos and homes currently available for sale in Maui. This leads me to question the necessity of targeting short-term rentals specifically. It is evident that this bill will not only harm the local economy but also jeopardize the livelihoods of those who depend on the short-term rental business to make ends meet.
I urge you as council members to consider the severe impact that Bill 9 could have on Maui and its residents. Please stand with us in opposition to this bill and protect our local economy and the well-being of our community members who rely on short-term rentals for their livelihoods.
Thank you for your attention to this pressing matter.
Warm regards,
This is not the solution.
Aloha Chair and Councilmembers,
My name is Paul Carter from Waihe’e , and I’m writing in strong support of Bill 9
I am testifying on behalf of myself and my family And for all those who live and work here on Maui.
We are here to do what is right. That is our right. That is our kuleana. What is legal or permitted in the law is not always what’s right. Then it is our duty and our government’s duty to change the law to align the laws with what is right. But first and foremost, it is our duty, our work and our privilege to do what is right, and to correct wrongs whenever we can. That is why we are here today. It may have been technically legal to manipulate the system and allow short-term rentals in the Minatoya apartments, but let’s be very clear. It was never right it went completely against the intention and agreements of the people who established those buildings. It is your duty as council members to correct that. It has been far too many years already. This should’ve been corrected years ago. And certainly this bill should’ve been heard at least a year ago when it was passed through the planning commission. Not only have many people had to move away from Maui, thousands, but there are an estimate of thousands more who are on the edge of not being able to afford their rent and the current costs of living here. This bill should be passed now, and these apartments should be converted in the next year, not 5 to 10 years.
These units should be converted
to long-term rentals within the next year. This will add thousands of available long-term rentals and help bring down the cost of rentals in general providing housing for the many who need it right now, not in five years, right now. And next year.
And to those owners who say they won’t be able to afford their mortgage payments, well, they can do like the rest of us who live here legally. They can apply for mortgage assistance, they can look for a legal addition to their income to help them pay for their investment, or they can sell the property. But it is not the counties or the people‘s responsibility to help these people pay their mortgage on their investment properties. Right?
.
Also, I respectfully ask for no carve-outs or special protections for timeshares
Mahalo
Paul Carter
201 River Road
Waihe’e , Hawaii
Sent from my iPhone
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members,
My name is Nancy Moy. I own a short-term rental property in Maui County in the Honokowai area. I am writing today to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed legislation to phase out more than 7,000 vacation rentals.
From the time I owned my small 460 sq. ft. condominium in Paki Maui in 2010, I have always strived to be a responsible and community-oriented owner. I recommend local restaurants and tour guides in my welcome guide. My guests write about eating at the nearby restaurants such as The Fish Market, Okazuya plate lunch, Java Jazz, Miso Phat, and Joey's on the guest book. They get their massage at Zensations Spa, and their groceries at Times Supermarket, Napili Market and of course, the Farmer's Market. These are just a few of the many ways my small condo contribute to the local community. My guests often leave Maui saying they felt more connected to the island because of the personal experience they had in my home.
I employ local service providers — cleaners, maintenance techs, and landscapers — many of whom I have become good friends with over the years and they are the reason I look forward to visiting every year.
Owning in this complex has not been easy. We’ve faced huge maintenance costs, special assessments, and massive increases in insurance after the fires. These aren’t luxuries — they’re costs that ensure the property remains safe, functional, and appealing. STR income helps cover those costs while supporting local workers. The association dues alone for my small unit is $800 a month.
I urge you to please keep these things in mind as you navigate the future of short term rentals in Maui. Maui is my second home and just like the workers, restaurants, and other small businesses in the area, I too, depend on the income generated from STR to pay for the high monthly maintenance and upkeep costs.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Nancy Moy
Dear council members,
Bill 9 will devastate Maui‘s economy.
Besides losing all the TAT and GET taxes, there’s so Maui will lose. Visitors staying at STR‘s help support local businesses in so many way. The big resorts in Wailea and Kanapali do not support local businesses. Their guests do not support local business like the guest in STRs. Guests at STR are more like to eat at local restaurants, book local entertainment, but from local vendors. Maui will lose more tourism without STRs. These visitors will find other place to go. Most do not want to stay at a large resort and will find new places to go other than Maui. Maui needs to find a better solution. This has been a problem for the last 10 years. Maui need to be proactive and start reducing their red tape and start building affordable housing, like 5 years ago.
Bill 9 will destroy Maui economy. Sadly more families will have to leave seeking jobs. No jobs, nothing is affordable.
Deb Crowl
Dear council members,
Bill 9 will devastate Maui‘s economy.
Besides losing all the TAT and GET taxes, there’s so Maui will lose. Visitors staying at STR‘s help support local businesses in so many way. The big resorts in Wailea and Kanapali do not support local businesses. Their guests do not support local business like the guest in STRs. Guests at STR are more like to eat at local restaurants, book local entertainment, but from local vendors. Maui will lose more tourism without STRs. These visitors will find other place to go. Most do not want to stay at a large resort and will find new places to go other than Maui. Maui needs to find a better solution. This has been a problem for the last 10 years. Maui need to be proactive and start reducing their red tape and start building affordable housing, like 5 years ago.
Bill 9 will destroy Maui economy. Sadly more families will have to leave seeking jobs. No jobs, nothing is affordable.
Deb Crowl
I am writing to express my strong support for the ban on short-term rentals (STRs), within properties that were originally designated as workforce housing.
As a condo owner at Pacific Shores, I have witnessed firsthand the detrimental impact of the increasing number of STRs in our complex. For many years, Pacific Shores served as a stable and thriving community for its residents. However, since short-term rentals have become prevalent, our HOA fees have nearly tripled. This significant increase is largely due to the excessive utilization of our shared resources, including water, propane, and trash pickup, by short-term visitors. These units are frequently occupied at their maximum capacity, placing a disproportionate burden on our infrastructure compared to the usage of full-time residents.
Furthermore, the disrespect and lack of consideration shown by some visitors towards the owners and residents who call Pacific Shores their permanent home is deeply concerning and has significantly diminished our quality of life.
Pacific Shores was originally built to serve as workforce housing, and I firmly believe it is essential to return it to this intended purpose. While resorts designed specifically for tourism may be appropriate for short-term rentals, their proliferation in residential communities like ours erodes the sense of community and stability that residents deserve.
I urge you to seriously consider implementing the ban on short-term rentals in developments like Pacific Shores that were originally intended for workforce housing. This action would be a crucial step in restoring affordability, community spirit, and overall quality of life for the residents who call these places home.
Mahalo for your time and consideration of this vital issue.
i am a 23 year owner and part-time resident in Haleakala Shores, Kihei. I am heavily in favor of creating affordable housing. Please do let me know how I could help.
I oppose the taking of my unit back, and not allowing as STR because I'm 100% sure it will not work as affordable housing. And in addition, I pretty sure no one will rent it at all as long term. In 2024, my monthly expenses (HOA dues, property tax, mortgage and insurance is $3639 per month. To rent I would have to charge $3784 per month for a 2bd/2ba, no pets, no storage, and 1 parking place. Just to break even.
It has been a legal STR since 1973.
Another point, the county of Maui will get sued and will have to payout ... i calculate over $500 million in lost property value. Why not instead offer to subsidize owner's like me who change to long term. My other home, North Lake Tahoe, where we care about the land and need affordable housing desperately did this (see Truckee town subsidies for converted housing).
How about using the $500 million you would lose to buy out all developments in progress like Wailea 670 and turn into affordable housing project? After all, who is Wailea 670 new homes/condos built for? I don't get it.
How about change development laws so all new development have to make 80% affordable housing and 20% "their choice"?
Finally, thank you for your time and being on the council. Your public service is greatly appreciated by all of us.
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,
Rachelle Jacobson
Papakea L-305
I oppose this bill, which would disallow TVRs, that have been legal since they were built over 35 years ago.
I fully support more housing, specifically affordable housing for locals. This bill will not allow for this. These units were built in areas that are apartment-zoned but with the intention and approval to be used as STRs. They were designed for short-term stays. As such, most of them have only one stall per unit, no storage, and high HOA fees to maintain the landscaping and pools. Many of these properties are ocean front, which increases the yearly maintenance costs and puts them at risk of being lost to sea level rise in the future. They are also old and will require ever-increasing "special assessment" fees for maintenance and repair.
Our County has had over 30 years to try and get ahead of the housing crisis and now wants to use private property owners as the scapegoat for our failed solutions. These units didn't create a lack of housing, they didn't take away from other housing that should have been built. But now they are an easy target because of their imperfect zoning and history. We should be working on real solutions for new affordable housing not casting blame and threatening to steal people's equity. "But they don't live here, so they don't matter." is a really sad way of looking at this situation. Just because someone doesn't live here doesn't mean they should be treated as less-than and have their property rights trampled with the false promise of the "greater good".
And what about the economy? This keeps getting downplayed by people who are not economists or businesspeople. If we want to move away from tourism, we need to start that process and have it show promise and success before cutting off our main revenue driver. The economic projections are from bad to worse, yet they get downplayed as if it is easy to make up tens of millions in revenue.
Sadly, if this gets approved, it will hurt many of the people who are pushing the hardest for it. We all want the same thing more: affordable housing for our local families. This, unfortunately, is not the solution.
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,
Steve Jacobson
Aloha Council Members,
Born and raised in Hawaii, with deep roots here, I feel compelled to comment as I think this is a very important issue. I do not own a Short-Term Rental. No one in my family owns a short term rental.
And yet - I do not support taking them away from those who have worked hard to purchase them!
Tourism is a good thing for Maui, and it's time we remember our Aloha spirit, our Ho'okipa. The tourists want to come here to spread enormous amounts of wealth. To be mad at that is to spit in the face of God and what he has given you. To be mad at that, is to be mad at a girl with a beautiful voice for singing. It makes no sense.
We must embrace tourism, and show Aloha once more. Not only that, but by embracing and encouraging tourism on a local level - and not just at international megacorp-owned hotels - we can spread the Aloha and the blessings around. It's not just about money. Hawaii is a special place, and I have had some wonderful moments sharing the beauty and joy of this land with eager visitors. Why should we deny one of the world's most beautiful places? Why should we share it with hatred in our hearts, and a nickel-and-dime attitude toward the visitors? I think that is wrong.
I think this bill is an extension of that attitude. This bill is not really about housing, it is about hate. It is about hate towards the haole, the mainlander, and the tourist. If housing is the issue, we would simply build more. For, there can be no gain through theft. Stealing the Short-Term Rentals and trying to force their owners to make them long term rentals is a form of theft. These rentals were, by and large, intended to be short term rental accommodations. They were purchased for the same purpose. Through the Minatoya list, the County accepted these as Short-Term Rentals not only in practice, but in writing. To pull the rug now is just mean spirited.
Instead, if more housing is desired, we should build some. If we can relax regulations and streamline the permitting process for the Lahaina rebuild, which we should, we can relax them other places. Rather than focusing all this negative energy on violating property rights and ruining not only a group of well intentioned hard working people's investments, we could be focusing positive energy on solving real problems. We could be having a hard discussion about where to get water from, and how to supply the island with enough water for sustainable and safe development.
Instead, millions of dollars are wasted directly, millions more are lost in property values, millions more are lost in diminished tax revenue. Jobs are lost. Investors are turned away. Hate and tension is created. And why? For what? For an unfeasible idea that simply won't work in any event. The Minatoya list condos are not suitable for most local families.
We need to stop this divisive hate. We need to acknowledge that Short-Term Rental owners are our friends and neighbors, and not a class of hostile enemy. We need to encourage Aloha spirit again, and realize that tourism is actually a fountain of wealth that we should be grateful for, not irritated about. We need to reject this bill and focus on helping the community through positive action instead of negative.
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members,
My name is James Cameron, and I own property in the Kapalua Resort in Maui County. I am writing to express my 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.
In addition to all of the rationale delineated below, there is also a straight forward FAIRNESS issue. All of the Kapalua Bay, Ridge and Golf Villa owners purchased their property under clear precedence whereby short-term rentals were the norm. To retroactively change the conditions that have been in place since every owner purchased their properties is quite frankly wrong and unfair.
The Kapalua Resort is a master planned resort community, planned, approved, constructed, and sold for primarily vacation use, including short-term rental. They have been used continuously to include short-term rentals for over 45 years. Their use has never changed. They have never been affordable housing. Nor have they ever been workforce housing.
Owners in the Kapalua Resort, like me, support the local Maui community. We frequent and recommend many local businesses, in addition to food establishments, grocery stores and employ many local service providers, many of whom have become valued friends over the years. Sadly, the proposed ordinance has already damaged tourism and negatively impacted the local community.
The Kapalua Bay, Ridge, and Golf Villas are not suitable for affordable family housing and are very expensive to buy. Annual maintenance is hugely expensive for Owners and can exceed over $32,000. Insurance and taxes are grossly high cost and continue to increase. Future building repairs will have exorbitant costs for 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 the 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,
James Cameron
Aloha members of the Maui County Planning Commission,
I respectfully urge you to reconsider the proposed ban on short-term rentals (STRs) in Maui County. According to the University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization (UHERO) study, STRs contributed over $1.2 billion to Maui’s economy in 2022 alone. These rentals support more than 10,000 local jobs across a wide range of industries, including hospitality, maintenance, transportation, and food services. Eliminating STRs would not only destabilize a key economic driver but also jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands of local families who depend on this sector—many of whom are small business owners and local residents, not off-island investors.
Furthermore, local businesses—from mom-and-pop cafes to tour operators—thrive on the steady flow of guests who choose STRs for their affordability and cultural immersion. STR guests tend to stay longer and spend more in local communities compared to hotel visitors, often patronizing neighborhood shops and services. A blanket ban would shift visitors to resort zones, further centralizing tourism income and creating economic disparity across the island. We can protect housing availability without dismantling a vital part of our local economy. A balanced approach that includes regulation and enforcement, rather than an outright ban, is the path forward for Maui’s sustainability and prosperity.
Mahalo,
Bret Nelson
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair and Council Members,
My monthly condo expenses total $4,565. If I am unable to rent short-term, I will not be able to rent long-term, because no local tenant can afford to pay that much. This is the only condo I own, it’s my life savings and retirement, and I will go bankrupt.
The UHERO report concludes that phasing out STR would cost:
$900 million in annual tourism revenue
1,900 lost jobs - A nightmare
decrease GDP 4%
$75 million in annual tax revenue
I respectfully urged you to consider how this will kill tourism, jobs, and businesses.
Mahalo,
Michael
Please don't ruin Maui's economy! I am a Maui homeowner who is unaffected directly by this bill. However, this is economic suicide for the people you say you're trying to save! This is like "cutting off the hand to save the foot", or "building a nursery when a child is already 5 years old." This is the wrong solution to the problem you are trying to solve.
Steve Reiff
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members,
My name is Renee Lach, and my sister and I are proud owners of a short-term rental (STR) property in Maui County. A home we purchased from our parents, who lovingly maintained it for nearly 20 years. I’m writing to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed legislation that would phase out over 7,000 vacation rentals.
This proposal is not just about property, it’s about people. My family has always approached ownership in Maui with deep respect for the island and its community. There is truly no place on earth more beautiful, and we feel privileged to be stewards of a home here. We’ve hired a local property manager who has been with us for over 15 years, along with her team of housekeepers, landscapers, and maintenance professionals, many of whom have become like family. In our welcome guide, we share personal recommendations that highlight local gems like Duke’s, Bad Ass Coffee, and various island tours and activities. Our guests often tell us that these local touches helped them feel a deeper, more personal connection to Maui. One they simply wouldn’t have found in a hotel!
Many of our guests return year after year, including one tenant who has visited every January for 20 consecutive years, two sisters who began coming with their husbands, now return as widows to honor old memories and create new ones. This is the kind of connection that builds lifelong loyalty to Maui and supports countless small businesses.
But here’s the truth: the majority of our guests tell us they would not come to Maui at all if short-term rentals weren’t available. Hotels and timeshares don’t offer the space, flexibility, or affordability that families and long-term visitors need. STRs are not a threat to tourism, they are part of its evolution. They support the very foundation of the visitor economy and contribute deeply to the character of the community.
The economic consequences of this legislation are staggering. According to research by the Travel Technology Association and Kloninger & Sims:
If only Mayor Minatoya’s List of STRs are phased out, Maui County would lose:
• $53.3 to $91.8 million in RPT, TAT, and GET tax revenue
• $1.3 billion in economic output
• 7,800 local jobs
If all STRs are removed, the losses jump to:
• $128.3 to $280.9 million in tax revenue
• $2.2 billion in economic output
• 23,000 local jobs
These aren’t just numbers, they represent livelihoods, small businesses, and essential services. STR guests spent $2.2 billion in 2023 in Maui County alone. Across Hawai‘i, that figure reached $11.3 billion and supported 66,000 jobs. What is the County’s plan to replace this revenue and protect the local economy and jobs?
Owning in Maui is not without its challenges. We’ve weathered steep increases in insurance following the fires (nearly 40%), rising maintenance costs, and special assessments ($30,000 in 2024), all to preserve our property and keep it safe, welcoming, and functional. STR income helps make this possible while keeping local service providers employed.
This legislation feels rushed and punitive. Instead of shutting down an industry that has demonstrated both economic and community value, I urge the Council to collaborate with responsible owners to find balanced, enforceable solutions. We are not your adversaries, we want to be part of the answer.
Mahalo for your time and consideration. I respectfully ask you to vote against this legislation and work toward a future that honors the needs of residents, visitors, and Maui’s economy alike.
Mahalo,
Renee Lach & Denise Walton
Sisters Oasis, LLC
Email: Sisteroasis.maui@gmail.com
Mobile: 408-887-1207
Aloha Chair. I am a transplant. I know I'm only a bit less hated than STR owners but since I now live here and vote here that's all that matters for sending this in.
I came here from SoCal where costs are high like here. Housing expensive like here. Cali has fires, like here. A lot is alike. Cali is the World's 3rd largest economy. Maui County is only viable because of tourism. Want proof? Look over at Molokai. Look at Samoa. People here are nostalgic over the old days, even though they are 32. I lived in Cuba under Castro and know what poverty looks like and Molokai seems worse. I realize losing these strs won't send Maui into Castro territory but having moved around a lot I have some perspectives.
None of these owners bought out of malice or hate. They bought because they loved Maui. Think of all the places in the world and they chose Maui. Broke no laws and literally hurt and took nothing from anybody.
But that's the argument that they are evil, they are colonizers and they are full of malice and hate. Not the case.
Maui council remember that all this rhetoric at the owners is becoming toxic and hateful and then they do it back.
This is a very human situation so you have to see both sides as humans first.
Owners did lawful real estate purchases, ran tax paying businesses and I'm sure all they care is not losing the money they worked a lifetime for. Remember, they worked hard, saved up, followed the law, bought places anyone could have bought. Nothing stolen nobody hurt.
Now their opponents are saying screw what you worked for and earned and LET US HAVE IT. Let us have it to use for our friends and our family.
Did they work any number of years to buy one of those properties? No
Did they earn money to pay for furnishing or decorating those places? No
Did they pay special assessments to make sure the roof was water proof? No
Did they pay all the taxes related to the property? No
Did they spend tens, even hundreds of thousands of dollars making a 40 year old condo look 1 year old? No
Did they replace the appliances when they broke? No
Did they do ANYTHING other than be born on Maui (and I know many of these kids, some transplanted AFTER me) and then DEMAND the right to live in these properties?
Yeah I know its disqualifying to not be from here, but I've been here and other places long enough to look, watch and see.
None of this is right and I know there are some people of faith on council who see what I see and know this phase out isn't right.
I vote neutral in hopes you read my testimony and consider it. I came here with a 9 figure net worth and live up in Haiku and it won't matter one bit what you vote. But I didn't get where I am being unfair to people. Owners investments and futures need to be considered and they are no less human that the kids sitting on the beach for making housing a priority. The lie that they own 20 properties hasn't been proven. $750M net worth and I don't have 20 properties so be honest in this discussion. Housing is needed. These kids have valid point. But just because someone was "flown here not gown here" doesn't make them less of a person.
You all know you need STR revenue
You know a very small percentage of these units will ever become long term properties
You know that there are hundreds of places currently for sale and rent that could house every single person needing place
You know many of them are weeks and months, some over a year on the market
You know that these places aren't being taken because they are expensive
You know that no amount of wish-casting will make these condos truly affordable
You know that "converting" or "phasing out" doesn't magically make these places that no locals bought all of a sudden more appealing or affordable
So you know that you have to oppose the bill.
Greetings Chair,Vice Chair and Council members,
" No one knows how better to care for Hawaiʻi, our island home, than those of us who have lived here for thousands of years" Haunani Kay-Trask
I thank you for this important meeting and Bill 9 as it reflects the urgent importance of living standards and respect for residents of Maui versus those eating up the resources and space with their colonial entitlement occupations. I support Bill 9. The long term residents are the heart of the community. I am a settler from the continent and have been here for only 14 years, I do not own anything and rent with my partner who is from the islands. We work in the community, we give to our community, learn from our community and are accountable to our community. My contribution to Maui doesn’t just come from the money I give to restaurants or stores or small businesses, or my taxes but comes from the boots on the ground, the hands in the soil, and the accountability that I offer everyday that I live here. It is so clearly entitled supremacy I read and when I listen to the occupied owners of the STRʻs. They think they are Kapalua and somehow they made it a place. Somehow they think their money is the community. It is horrific as the continuation of predominantly American occupiers think they are what makes Hawaii work. I know that local families do own STRʻs and this income supports their families. I know that solutions to housing are going to hurt some people but the majority of people who own do NOT want to live here and are not solutions to the massive crisis that Maui residents face everyday.
As far as Bill 9 I do have questions, the amendments made on June 3rd to make this go into effect 5 years from now. This bill needs to go into effect much sooner as in 5 years there is a devastation effect to Hawaii at large with the lack of housing and the detrimental effects of colonial occupation for tourism. I understand there are complications for all these owners that think they deserve to take up space because they bought in an illegally occupied nation. Yet 5 years seems way too long given the dire circumstance of housing needs. I also question the stated amendment reading “Clarifies that validly existing time share units or time share plans are exempt from being phased out;” how is it possible that these time shares are given exemptions from phase out? Given the issues with overuse of water, the diaspora, homeless disaster, illegal occupation, Hawaiian homelands still not being awarded, why would these STRʻs be given preferential treatment? Why are there exemptions given to them versus the actual people of Hawaii that have not been given any exceptions for land and housing that has been taken from them. The days of giving colonial pleasures exceptions over local families' living has come to end. I would also hope that the council continues to place restrictions on neighborhood owned vacation rental houses to restore a sense of place for the people who live here and the safety for the children.
I understand that the taxes and all the things give money but the fact is with that comes entitlement. The residents of this place cannot continue to be second-class citizens. I know there are good people who live here that live in other nations and that they love Maui. Yet the majority of what this brings is the contribution to how things work such as, making the prices skyrocket, the beaches overcrowded, the community their servants, the water disappear, the traffic unbearable, maintenance of homelessness and the diaspora of local families. I ask how many trees have they planted for the native ecosystem, how many streams have they worked to protect, how many teachers have they thanked, how many families have they helped to rise, how many local neighbors do they know, how many legislative sessions have they stood with local families? These are the differences of occupation owners versus people living in a place. The short term rentals are houses that should be for families that live here. Long term families should not be without housing so out of town people can come occupy when they or their friends like. The data is in the short term rentals and Minatoya list needs to be dealt with. I am thankful for the Maui County council and the Mayor for standing for the people. I support Bill 9 and stand with the people of Lahaina Strong, Lahaina Community Land trust, Maui Housing Hui, HAPA, and the other countless living and past residents of Maui and the need for housing to remain accessible and community owned. Phase out these STRʻs and if the owners are not happy that is ok. Local families are not happy, nor consenting, or thriving from all the years of illegal and continued suffering because of American occupation.
I support Bill 9. Housing for the community first and now.
Thank you Pahnelopi McKenzie