I have been an owner at the Ridge in Kapalua for 4 years. I am opposed to the removal of short-term rentals. Kapalua was designed and approved in the 1970's as a 22,000-acre resort development. Maui and much of Hawaii has one major industry and that is tourism. The study that you commissioned last year came to the conclusion that almost a billion dollars of revenue would be lost, and 2-3,000 jobs would be lost if this were to be enacted. I am familiar with similar studies stateside and these loses are only the tip of the spear. In a relatively closed economy like Hawaii, when a dollar of revenue is lost its economic impact is roughly six-fold. This means that a dollar turns over throughout the island six times. So, if the direct loss of tax revenue is estimated at almost one billion dollars, the end result is an impact six billion and the ultimate job loss is considerably higher. One other cause and affect by this action from the reduced tourism is the effect it has on air service. A major reduction can occur from actions such as this. Once the airlines reduce flights (due to reduced demand) to and between the islands it can take years to reestablish them. Please vote NO as the already diminished tourism and revenue from it should be a clear signal. Existing commercial developments such as the mall adjoining the Safeway in Lahaina and across the street by the Ace continue to have multiple vacances that have had no tenants for at least the four years during the time that I have owned on the island. There are numerous and growing examples of this in Kahului and in Wailea which are the result of diminished tourism. I would be happy to visit further. Best, Jeff Fuechsel, Ridge owner at Kapalua
Dear Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee. I am 79 years old and my wife is 76. We are opposed to Bill 9. We purchased at The Palms at Wailea unit 1207 in 2003. We have seen increase of HOA"s from $850 per month to $1650.00 and taxes have more then doubled. We have employed local contractors to remodel over the last 22 years, employed cleaning people, gardeners and have purchased furniture from local furniture stores and have enjoyed our hard earned savings in local restaurants. We have donated to the Maui Food Bank, local church and Paciific Whale Foundation. These donations and use of our savings and income from our condo allow us continue to support the beautiful people of Maui. The income is needed to pay the taxes and HOA's. I am an Army Veteran, Agricultural career, wife was a pre kindergarten teacher. The economy has taken it's toll on our rental income and passing Bill 9 would cause loss of tax to the County of Maui ,loss of donations and affect the employment of local people at every level. I highly encourage you as representatives to vote no on Bill, Please.
Thank you in advance for voting NO on Bill 9.
Henry and Anna Marie Carrasco
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Honorable Committee Members,
My name is Nathalie Lincir, and I am the owner of a short term rental property in Maui County. I’m writing to share my strong opposition to the proposed legislation that would eliminate thousands of STR across the island.
This proposal threatens more than just property rights. It puts at risk the livelihoods of local workers and small businesses.
I’ve also made it a priority to support the community by recommending local restaurants, shops, and tour operators to every guest. Many of my guests choose a vacation rental over a hotel because it allows them to experience Maui in a more personal and authentic way. Several have told me they wouldn’t have visited at all without this option, meaning fewer dollars spent at local businesses and fewer opportunities to share the beauty and culture of the island in a meaningful way.
This bill feels rushed and unfair to owners who are following the rules and supporting the community. I urge you to work with us, not against us, to create a solution that protects local jobs, respects responsible owners, and keeps Maui’s economy strong.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Nathalie Lincir
Dear Chair Kama, Vice Chair Uʻu-Hodgins and Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee:
My name is Arlette Kiriyama. I was born and raised on Maui, but currently live on the mainland. My parents bought a condo in Kihei in the late 1970's for investment and rental purposes. After they passed away, I inherited the condo and we use it when we visit Maui once or twice a year. At other times it is rented to visitors.
I am in opposition of this bill.
I agree that Maui has a critical need for housing, but phasing out the STRs is not the answer. I feel that the planning commission needs to expedite the permitting process to enable more affordable housing to be constructed. . More subsidized housing also needs to be constructed. I hope we can come to a peaceful resolution concerning this problem.
Thank you.
Most STR are 1 bedrooms, small units with high HOA fees. My unit HOA fee is $725. A month and we don’t have a pool or groundskeepers so just imagine what other HOA fees are. This is not the type of work force housing people are looking for. I also pay a Maui resident to manage the property, a Maui resident to clean and a Maui resident for any maintenance. They will ALL be out of jobs. Losing STR’s will not help your housing crisis but only put more strain on your local economy without them. Why don’t you take all of the taxes we pay and start building nice affordable housing? And if this passes, how will you supplement all of the STR taxes you will be losing? One guess would be to increase property taxes on the local homeowners?
Aloha, My name is Holly Crouse, I am a property manager, and have been in Real Estate for 40+ years- 20 of them on Maui. I agree we need to find a solution for affordable housing on Maui- but my professional opinion is that passing this bill will not accomplish this goal. I manage long term rentals and vacation rentals (approx 65 units total) and since the fires, our owners income has dropped substantially, our cleaners, handiman, and our company are experiencing the financial hardship that this bill has created for our Island. Just discussing the idea of "We need Housing- Not Visitors" has given the message loud and clear we are no longer practicing the spirit of "Aloha" I have spoken to many people who are considering a vacation, but in the end do not book as they feel with the political climate that is just isn't safe or welcoming. Affordable housing has been a problem for 10+ years. I could repeat what so many have said about the condos being not suitable in size, parking, and cost- which is all true, but what I want to pass along, is that turning those vacation rentals into Long Term rentals, will also not be affordable. The cost of just the mortgage and association fees would surpass the amount it could rent it for. And many of my vacation rental owners are NOT wealthy- they are hardworking, people who loved the culture here, and the only alternative is to sell. This is obvious, when you see the jump in listings (presently over 900 condos for sale) and the small amount that have been sold, are not being purchased by "Our People" the listings are just sitting, reducing their prices, and loosing thousands a month because the reservations are so down. When/if the prices fall even more you will see investors with cash to swoop in and they expect a return on investment- so rents will be outrageous. If there are lawsuits - mortgage companies will not lend on the complex...therefore cash investors is all we will have ...and I know that is NOT what the people who are pushing this bill want to happen. The loss of monies that come from GE & TAT tax will be forced upon all of us to make up and the economy, restaurant closings, activity desks etc. etc. are already echoing Covid all over again! Please cancel this bill, and help save our Island from this attempt of economic suicide. Instead lets look at what we can do to streamline the permitting process and start building affordable homes- put together housing initiatives that will assist renters and homebuyers and concentrate on the real solution--like we should have over 10 years ago! Thank you for listening. Holly Crouse
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. The Maui Planning Commission has also requested that Papakea and 4 other properties be excluded from Bill 9.
Papakea has historically been a resort development and not an apartment development:
• 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.
Papakea Contributes to the Maui 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 Papakea Owners and guests also Contribute to the Maui 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 and have less flexibility.
• 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 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
• Papakea guests support many small businesses on the island including restaurants, food trucks, tour operators, activities, state parks, the national park, and shops.
I would like to thank the committee for the opportunity to comment.
I just work paving so don't really have a tourism related job but my gf just does work for them. Shes a trouble shooter for problems, like a property manager but isn't. She helps buy tings for condo owners like a new vacuum or change batteries in doors . Sounds like light work but they'll pay $50 just to have her go pick up some new beach chairs or $100 to pick up a order at Foodland. I like wat the bill says it will do for us but shes not with a hotel so her and the other girls who do this will lose good paying low skill work and she makes more than I do with my hot outdoor work. And I just dont think that whats promised can be done and I know that because all we have are a promise and no plan for after. I know jobs like Kaias will be lost and I know that makes our life way hard. I think we can do thiseasier and better so I oposse the bill.
Aloha, and thank you for taking the time to read and consider my testimony.
I am an owner at the Grand Champions Villas in Wailea.
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.
Behind Kaanapali, Wailea was designed and built as Maui's second "Master Planned Resort Community". Being a resort community means that it has amenities that cater to visitors seeking a resort experience, and not those seeing a residential/neighborhood/family/child-rearing life. There are no schools, no playgrounds, no gas stations, no grocery stores and very few non-tourism related workplaces. There are however, many expensive restaurants, several golf courses, a half dozen luxury hotels, well over a thousand LEGAL short-term rentals, as well as hundreds of multi-million dollar luxury homes.
I am 100% in support of increasing Maui's affordable housing inventory and like knowing that a portion of the taxes collected from my short-term rental are earmarked for the Affordable Housing Fund. Short term rentals are the largest contributor to this fund.
But if the goal of phasing out short-term rentals in the apartment district is to make condo units available to local residents for long-term occupancy, then it doesn't seem reasonable to phase out condos in a renowned resort community, surrounded by hotels, hotel zoned STRs, thousands of tourists, and devoid of the amenities that simplify daily living.
Mayor Bissen's bold approach to solving the housing crisis on Maui is admirable, but he, along with our esteemed council, are erudite and refined individuals who are capable of a more nuanced and surgical approach to this phase-out. It is my hope that the 4 complexes in the resort are of Wailea be excluded from the phase-out and are permitted to continue to rent on a short-term basis. By doing so, these prohibitively expensive condos can continue to employ local workers at high wages, continue to bring in high net-worth travelers who spend disproportionately high amounts while on vacation, and most of all, will continue to collect taxes which will yield positive outcomes through developments paid to the Affordable Housing Fund.
Aloha and Mahalo for the opportunity to voice my opposition to this Bill:
My name is Lonelle Newman and I am part owner of a small family owned property management company on the West side my Mom started in the early 80's. We currently directly employ @ 25 people not to mention many outside vendors including housekeepers etc. who depend primarily on us for their livelihood. We manage both Vacation Rentals and Associations. This Bill would devastate both them and us and nullify my Mom's almost 50 years legacy.
A few years ago i wrote to the county council when I started noticing the mauka units historically used as long term being turned into STR's due to the low sale price and AOAO fees. This was alarming as many of my friends were being displaced after years living in the same place. This, in my opinion, contributed to where we are today. Napili Ridge, for example, WAS built for workforce housing and now is over 2/3rd STR.
We housed fire survivors thru Airbnb after the fire and still have tenants. We have offered them long term leases as their contract with Airbnb are set to expire at fair market value. So far only one has agreed to a 6 month lease and we need a year to qualify for the tax exemption. Other units I have attempted to rent and received TWO inquiries in 6 weeks.
There is no easy answer to this. It does seem that nearly every state has some kind of housing crunch so we are certainly not alone is this dilemma.
Catch 22
No economy= no jobs= no $ for rent= many empty condos...
Mahalo for your time.
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. Below I have listed some of the reasons I believe Papakea Oceanfront Resort should be excluded from Bill 9:
* 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.
Here are some of 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; many 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.
Here are just some of the individual Owner Contributions to the Community:
* Owners support/hire 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 on the opposition of Bill 9.
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. Below I have listed some of the reasons I believe Papakea Oceanfront Resort should be excluded from Bill 9:
* 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.
Here are some of 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; many 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.
Here are just some of the individual Owner Contributions to the Community:
* Owners support/hire 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 on the opposition of Bill 9.
Aloha Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee,
Banning STR’s on Maui would be absolutely devastating to the economy. Nearly everyone I know will lose their job or businesses instantly. No one in need of affordable housing will be able to afford living here and paying whatever monthly rent is needed to pay the monthly mortgage, high HOA fees, increasing insurance costs and taxes of the landowner to come close to breaking even. This is common sense. I understand the desperate need for affordable housing for folks living here (I am one of them) but this is not the way. This bill is a lose/lose proposition and offers only the smallest of benefits in the very short term and it’s only going to make a bad situation worse.
Submitted for the Maui County Council Meeting on June 9, 2025
Aloha Chair and Councilmembers,
My name is Rhonda Alexander Monkres, and I am writing on behalf of myself and my ʻohana as a lifelong and generational resident of Hawaiʻi, living here on Maui. I write in strong and unwavering support of Bill 9 to phase out short-term rentals on the Minatoya list.
This issue is personal. I am a mother of two young adults — Kainoa, age 21, and Puamana, age 19 — who dream of building their future here on Maui. They want to live, work, raise their families, and contribute to their community. But like so many of their peers, they are fearful if they can afford it. They are not alone — countless local families are being priced out, pushed out, or forced to live in overcrowded or unsafe housing. This is not just a housing crisis. It’s a crisis of identity, equity, and survival.
As part of Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama Disaster Long Term Recovery Group, I see firsthand the desperation of wildfire survivors who are still without stable housing. The number one barrier to recovery — to health, to family stability, to mental wellness — is the severe lack of available, affordable rentals. Housing is not a luxury. It is a basic human need and an essential, non-negotiable part of recovery and long-term resilience.
It is time to be bold. This Council has the chance — and the responsibility — to take a clear stand for our people and our future. I support banning short-term rentals in residential communities, especially in West Maui and all areas where housing insecurity continues to threaten the well-being of our residents.
As Mayor Bissen wisely said:
“We often talk about the economic impact of change, but we rarely talk about the cost of doing nothing. The real loss isn’t measured in dollars — it’s in the families forced to leave, the cultural ties we weaken, and the future we risk for our keiki.”
The cost of doing nothing is is erasing the community that gives Maui its heart and identity. The cost is watching our children leave. The cost is the quiet displacement of those who are Maui. It’s empty classrooms, disconnected kupuna, and broken communities. We cannot keep prioritizing visitor accommodations while our own keiki are houseless, our families sleep in cars, or multiple generations are crammed under one roof — not by choice, but by necessity.
Let’s be honest. Short-term rentals are a root cause of the current housing crisis - and the same in other States and countries. The love that some claim for Maui from afar is not the same as the love shown daily by those who live here — who go to work, show up for their neighbors, volunteer in schools, and raise the next generation. That is real love for this place. That is who we must protect.
Many STR owners say they love Maui. But when disaster struck, and thousands were left without homes, most did not open their doors. They chose instead to rent to FEMA and the State at inflated rates of $7,000 to $11,000 per month. That is not love — that is profit.
We are not asking for punishment. We are demanding a pivot — a restoration of balance. This phase-out is not about resentment. It’s about survival, equity, and the right of our keiki to live in their community. We are willing to take the reductions in tourism jobs or tax revenues, if it means our local families can live with dignity.
We cannot afford to delay any longer. We must shift from transient lodging to permanent housing. We must reclaim homes for families, not vacationers. This is about more than policy. It’s about courage, justice, and doing the pono thing.
I urge you — for my children, my nephews, my cousins, for our fire survivors, for the families who refuse to give up — please pass Bill 9 and begin the long-overdue work of putting Maui residents first.
Mahalo for your leadership, your courage, and your deep commitment to a healthier, more just Maui - where every local ʻohana has a real chance to stay, grow, and build their future here.
I own a short term rental unit in Kihei and strongly oppose this bill. When my wife and I bought this unit many years ago we bought it with the idea of using the money earned to visit Maui twice a year and this is what we have done. We employ cleaners, repair workers, plumbers, electricians and these trades people would be seriously impacted by changing the zoning. We visit for 3 months and year and support local business like restaurants, groceries, tourist sites and spend considerable amounts of money which would be lost. It would have a devastating affect on Maui's economy and give Maui a horrible reputation at being hostile to visitors and an unreliable place to make any kind of investment.It is shameful that
you would change the rules after the fact and impact all the people like me who trusted the government and you elected officials.
My name is Ryan LIncir and I am a STR property owner in Maui County. I am writing this testimony to express my opposition to the proposed legislation aiming to phase out over 7,000 STR units also known as the “Minatoya List”.
STR’s are a huge part of Maui’s economy! They significantly contribute to the local economy by attracting tourists that patronize local businesses. In Honokowai alone where my STR is, there are many businesses that benefit from the STR’s that are in close proximity. Businesses such as Fish Market Maui, Okazuya Deli, Bad Ass Coffee, and all the Food Trucks in the lot nearby to name only a few. STR’s create a more affordable option for tourists in comparison to hotels. Tourists are likely able to spend the money they saved on local businesses. The proposed legislation to eliminate STR’s on the “Minatoya List” zoned A1-A2 will immensely affect the local businesses that rely heavily on tourism dollars.
STR’s provide a unique housing option preferred by families and groups seeking a more affordable home-like option. As I said in the previous paragraph, when tourists save on lodging they are likely to spend the money they saved and put it right back into the local economy! It’s as simple as that! Not everyone can afford a seven hundred plus dollar a night hotel room! The diversity in accommodation options makes Maui an accessible destination for a broader range of visitors. The proposed legislation to eliminate STR’s on the “Minatoya List” zoned A1-A2 will directly affect the range of visitors that are able to come to Maui. This will tremendously affect Maui’s economy.
STR’s create more jobs for locals! Property Management, Cleaners, Plumbers, Electricians, Painters, landscapers etc… The proposed legislation to eliminate STR’s on the “Minatoya List” zoned A1-A2 will greatly reduce job opportunities and income for local families.
As an owner of an STR I am faced with a plethora of costs associated with owning a STR condo. Association dues, Land Lease, and special assessment costs add up to over $2500 a month. These expenses are necessary to maintain safety, property quality, and the appeal of the neighborhood.
Please take the time to consider how much the proposed legislation will affect local families, local economy, local employment, and local community well- being for the worse. Again, I would like to reiterate that I am against the proposed legislation to eliminate STR’s on the “Minatoya List” zoned A1-A2. Thankyou to The Maui Planning Commission for taking my testimony into consideration.
Dear members of the Housing and Land Use Committee,
As a small business owner on Maui, I am writing to express my strong support for Bill 9, phasing out short-term rentals currently operating under the Minatoya List and returning those homes to the housing inventory.
My employees are the backbone of my business—and many of them are struggling with exorbitant rents and the constant worry that next time they have to move they’ll be forced to leave the island altogether. This isn’t just a housing issue—this is a community crisis that affects our workforce, our economy, and our future.
The proliferation of short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods has made a difficult situation worse. These units could and should be used to house local residents and workers. Instead, they are catering to visitors, further reducing the already limited inventory of housing available to people who actually live and work here.
As a business owner, I often worry about losing talented, dedicated staff because they simply can’t afford to stay on Maui. If we want our businesses and communities to thrive, we need to ensure that our workers can live with dignity and stability—not be priced out or pushed out.
Bill 9 is a necessary step toward restoring that balance. It represents an opportunity to return housing to the long-term rental market and begin healing the damage done to our neighborhoods. I urge you to adopt this bill without weakening amendments, and to stand firm in your commitment to housing local people first.
Thank you for taking this bold and much-needed action.
Being an owner and investor of an airb&b in Kihei, I have been negatively affected by this prevailing issue in Maui.
All I beg of the county is to understand how our investments can help in boosting Maui’s economy by encouraging us to run our business with less taxes and stiff regilations.
Thank you.
Myself and my wife live full time in Kihei, and we strongly oppose this bill.
The University of Hawaii’s recent study: “Economic Impacts of Reducing TVR’s on Maui” clearly indicates the many economic reasons this bill is a bad idea. It shows that this bill will cost an estimated 2000 jobs. It will cost the state an estimated 90 million dollars in lost tax revenues. It will not magically convert TVR’s into affordable housing for local residents. IT WILL lower property values and make our lives, the people who live here, more difficult in the long term.
Did the Mayor’s office or anyone else in Maui or State government do any analysis at all as of why this measure is good for Maui? If so where is that information?
Those people that lost their homes and jobs on the west side will not benefit from this bill, and every one of them wants to stay on the west side, but they can’t until additional “low-cost housing” is built for them on the west side; this should be the focus of Maui government.
I have been an owner at the Ridge in Kapalua for 4 years. I am opposed to the removal of short-term rentals. Kapalua was designed and approved in the 1970's as a 22,000-acre resort development. Maui and much of Hawaii has one major industry and that is tourism. The study that you commissioned last year came to the conclusion that almost a billion dollars of revenue would be lost, and 2-3,000 jobs would be lost if this were to be enacted. I am familiar with similar studies stateside and these loses are only the tip of the spear. In a relatively closed economy like Hawaii, when a dollar of revenue is lost its economic impact is roughly six-fold. This means that a dollar turns over throughout the island six times. So, if the direct loss of tax revenue is estimated at almost one billion dollars, the end result is an impact six billion and the ultimate job loss is considerably higher. One other cause and affect by this action from the reduced tourism is the effect it has on air service. A major reduction can occur from actions such as this. Once the airlines reduce flights (due to reduced demand) to and between the islands it can take years to reestablish them. Please vote NO as the already diminished tourism and revenue from it should be a clear signal. Existing commercial developments such as the mall adjoining the Safeway in Lahaina and across the street by the Ace continue to have multiple vacances that have had no tenants for at least the four years during the time that I have owned on the island. There are numerous and growing examples of this in Kahului and in Wailea which are the result of diminished tourism. I would be happy to visit further. Best, Jeff Fuechsel, Ridge owner at Kapalua
Dear Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee. I am 79 years old and my wife is 76. We are opposed to Bill 9. We purchased at The Palms at Wailea unit 1207 in 2003. We have seen increase of HOA"s from $850 per month to $1650.00 and taxes have more then doubled. We have employed local contractors to remodel over the last 22 years, employed cleaning people, gardeners and have purchased furniture from local furniture stores and have enjoyed our hard earned savings in local restaurants. We have donated to the Maui Food Bank, local church and Paciific Whale Foundation. These donations and use of our savings and income from our condo allow us continue to support the beautiful people of Maui. The income is needed to pay the taxes and HOA's. I am an Army Veteran, Agricultural career, wife was a pre kindergarten teacher. The economy has taken it's toll on our rental income and passing Bill 9 would cause loss of tax to the County of Maui ,loss of donations and affect the employment of local people at every level. I highly encourage you as representatives to vote no on Bill, Please.
Thank you in advance for voting NO on Bill 9.
Henry and Anna Marie Carrasco
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Honorable Committee Members,
My name is Nathalie Lincir, and I am the owner of a short term rental property in Maui County. I’m writing to share my strong opposition to the proposed legislation that would eliminate thousands of STR across the island.
This proposal threatens more than just property rights. It puts at risk the livelihoods of local workers and small businesses.
I’ve also made it a priority to support the community by recommending local restaurants, shops, and tour operators to every guest. Many of my guests choose a vacation rental over a hotel because it allows them to experience Maui in a more personal and authentic way. Several have told me they wouldn’t have visited at all without this option, meaning fewer dollars spent at local businesses and fewer opportunities to share the beauty and culture of the island in a meaningful way.
This bill feels rushed and unfair to owners who are following the rules and supporting the community. I urge you to work with us, not against us, to create a solution that protects local jobs, respects responsible owners, and keeps Maui’s economy strong.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Nathalie Lincir
Dear Chair Kama, Vice Chair Uʻu-Hodgins and Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee:
My name is Arlette Kiriyama. I was born and raised on Maui, but currently live on the mainland. My parents bought a condo in Kihei in the late 1970's for investment and rental purposes. After they passed away, I inherited the condo and we use it when we visit Maui once or twice a year. At other times it is rented to visitors.
I am in opposition of this bill.
I agree that Maui has a critical need for housing, but phasing out the STRs is not the answer. I feel that the planning commission needs to expedite the permitting process to enable more affordable housing to be constructed. . More subsidized housing also needs to be constructed. I hope we can come to a peaceful resolution concerning this problem.
Thank you.
Most STR are 1 bedrooms, small units with high HOA fees. My unit HOA fee is $725. A month and we don’t have a pool or groundskeepers so just imagine what other HOA fees are. This is not the type of work force housing people are looking for. I also pay a Maui resident to manage the property, a Maui resident to clean and a Maui resident for any maintenance. They will ALL be out of jobs. Losing STR’s will not help your housing crisis but only put more strain on your local economy without them. Why don’t you take all of the taxes we pay and start building nice affordable housing? And if this passes, how will you supplement all of the STR taxes you will be losing? One guess would be to increase property taxes on the local homeowners?
Aloha, My name is Holly Crouse, I am a property manager, and have been in Real Estate for 40+ years- 20 of them on Maui. I agree we need to find a solution for affordable housing on Maui- but my professional opinion is that passing this bill will not accomplish this goal. I manage long term rentals and vacation rentals (approx 65 units total) and since the fires, our owners income has dropped substantially, our cleaners, handiman, and our company are experiencing the financial hardship that this bill has created for our Island. Just discussing the idea of "We need Housing- Not Visitors" has given the message loud and clear we are no longer practicing the spirit of "Aloha" I have spoken to many people who are considering a vacation, but in the end do not book as they feel with the political climate that is just isn't safe or welcoming. Affordable housing has been a problem for 10+ years. I could repeat what so many have said about the condos being not suitable in size, parking, and cost- which is all true, but what I want to pass along, is that turning those vacation rentals into Long Term rentals, will also not be affordable. The cost of just the mortgage and association fees would surpass the amount it could rent it for. And many of my vacation rental owners are NOT wealthy- they are hardworking, people who loved the culture here, and the only alternative is to sell. This is obvious, when you see the jump in listings (presently over 900 condos for sale) and the small amount that have been sold, are not being purchased by "Our People" the listings are just sitting, reducing their prices, and loosing thousands a month because the reservations are so down. When/if the prices fall even more you will see investors with cash to swoop in and they expect a return on investment- so rents will be outrageous. If there are lawsuits - mortgage companies will not lend on the complex...therefore cash investors is all we will have ...and I know that is NOT what the people who are pushing this bill want to happen. The loss of monies that come from GE & TAT tax will be forced upon all of us to make up and the economy, restaurant closings, activity desks etc. etc. are already echoing Covid all over again! Please cancel this bill, and help save our Island from this attempt of economic suicide. Instead lets look at what we can do to streamline the permitting process and start building affordable homes- put together housing initiatives that will assist renters and homebuyers and concentrate on the real solution--like we should have over 10 years ago! Thank you for listening. Holly Crouse
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. The Maui Planning Commission has also requested that Papakea and 4 other properties be excluded from Bill 9.
Papakea has historically been a resort development and not an apartment development:
• 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.
Papakea Contributes to the Maui 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 Papakea Owners and guests also Contribute to the Maui 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 and have less flexibility.
• 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 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
• Papakea guests support many small businesses on the island including restaurants, food trucks, tour operators, activities, state parks, the national park, and shops.
I would like to thank the committee for the opportunity to comment.
Sincerely,
Lou Bellardo
3543 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Apartment L-404
Aloha counsel
I just work paving so don't really have a tourism related job but my gf just does work for them. Shes a trouble shooter for problems, like a property manager but isn't. She helps buy tings for condo owners like a new vacuum or change batteries in doors . Sounds like light work but they'll pay $50 just to have her go pick up some new beach chairs or $100 to pick up a order at Foodland. I like wat the bill says it will do for us but shes not with a hotel so her and the other girls who do this will lose good paying low skill work and she makes more than I do with my hot outdoor work. And I just dont think that whats promised can be done and I know that because all we have are a promise and no plan for after. I know jobs like Kaias will be lost and I know that makes our life way hard. I think we can do thiseasier and better so I oposse the bill.
Much mahalos Lane
Aloha, and thank you for taking the time to read and consider my testimony.
I am an owner at the Grand Champions Villas in Wailea.
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.
Behind Kaanapali, Wailea was designed and built as Maui's second "Master Planned Resort Community". Being a resort community means that it has amenities that cater to visitors seeking a resort experience, and not those seeing a residential/neighborhood/family/child-rearing life. There are no schools, no playgrounds, no gas stations, no grocery stores and very few non-tourism related workplaces. There are however, many expensive restaurants, several golf courses, a half dozen luxury hotels, well over a thousand LEGAL short-term rentals, as well as hundreds of multi-million dollar luxury homes.
I am 100% in support of increasing Maui's affordable housing inventory and like knowing that a portion of the taxes collected from my short-term rental are earmarked for the Affordable Housing Fund. Short term rentals are the largest contributor to this fund.
But if the goal of phasing out short-term rentals in the apartment district is to make condo units available to local residents for long-term occupancy, then it doesn't seem reasonable to phase out condos in a renowned resort community, surrounded by hotels, hotel zoned STRs, thousands of tourists, and devoid of the amenities that simplify daily living.
Mayor Bissen's bold approach to solving the housing crisis on Maui is admirable, but he, along with our esteemed council, are erudite and refined individuals who are capable of a more nuanced and surgical approach to this phase-out. It is my hope that the 4 complexes in the resort are of Wailea be excluded from the phase-out and are permitted to continue to rent on a short-term basis. By doing so, these prohibitively expensive condos can continue to employ local workers at high wages, continue to bring in high net-worth travelers who spend disproportionately high amounts while on vacation, and most of all, will continue to collect taxes which will yield positive outcomes through developments paid to the Affordable Housing Fund.
Mahalo,
Fiona and Joe Dinan
Aloha and Mahalo for the opportunity to voice my opposition to this Bill:
My name is Lonelle Newman and I am part owner of a small family owned property management company on the West side my Mom started in the early 80's. We currently directly employ @ 25 people not to mention many outside vendors including housekeepers etc. who depend primarily on us for their livelihood. We manage both Vacation Rentals and Associations. This Bill would devastate both them and us and nullify my Mom's almost 50 years legacy.
A few years ago i wrote to the county council when I started noticing the mauka units historically used as long term being turned into STR's due to the low sale price and AOAO fees. This was alarming as many of my friends were being displaced after years living in the same place. This, in my opinion, contributed to where we are today. Napili Ridge, for example, WAS built for workforce housing and now is over 2/3rd STR.
We housed fire survivors thru Airbnb after the fire and still have tenants. We have offered them long term leases as their contract with Airbnb are set to expire at fair market value. So far only one has agreed to a 6 month lease and we need a year to qualify for the tax exemption. Other units I have attempted to rent and received TWO inquiries in 6 weeks.
There is no easy answer to this. It does seem that nearly every state has some kind of housing crunch so we are certainly not alone is this dilemma.
Catch 22
No economy= no jobs= no $ for rent= many empty condos...
Mahalo for your time.
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. Below I have listed some of the reasons I believe Papakea Oceanfront Resort should be excluded from Bill 9:
* 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.
Here are some of 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; many 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.
Here are just some of the individual Owner Contributions to the Community:
* Owners support/hire 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 on the opposition of Bill 9.
Sincerely,
Brandon Ringstad
3543 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Apartment K206
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. Below I have listed some of the reasons I believe Papakea Oceanfront Resort should be excluded from Bill 9:
* 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.
Here are some of 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; many 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.
Here are just some of the individual Owner Contributions to the Community:
* Owners support/hire 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 on the opposition of Bill 9.
Sincerely,
Michele Ringstad
3543 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Apartment K206
Aloha Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee,
Banning STR’s on Maui would be absolutely devastating to the economy. Nearly everyone I know will lose their job or businesses instantly. No one in need of affordable housing will be able to afford living here and paying whatever monthly rent is needed to pay the monthly mortgage, high HOA fees, increasing insurance costs and taxes of the landowner to come close to breaking even. This is common sense. I understand the desperate need for affordable housing for folks living here (I am one of them) but this is not the way. This bill is a lose/lose proposition and offers only the smallest of benefits in the very short term and it’s only going to make a bad situation worse.
Submitted for the Maui County Council Meeting on June 9, 2025
Aloha Chair and Councilmembers,
My name is Rhonda Alexander Monkres, and I am writing on behalf of myself and my ʻohana as a lifelong and generational resident of Hawaiʻi, living here on Maui. I write in strong and unwavering support of Bill 9 to phase out short-term rentals on the Minatoya list.
This issue is personal. I am a mother of two young adults — Kainoa, age 21, and Puamana, age 19 — who dream of building their future here on Maui. They want to live, work, raise their families, and contribute to their community. But like so many of their peers, they are fearful if they can afford it. They are not alone — countless local families are being priced out, pushed out, or forced to live in overcrowded or unsafe housing. This is not just a housing crisis. It’s a crisis of identity, equity, and survival.
As part of Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama Disaster Long Term Recovery Group, I see firsthand the desperation of wildfire survivors who are still without stable housing. The number one barrier to recovery — to health, to family stability, to mental wellness — is the severe lack of available, affordable rentals. Housing is not a luxury. It is a basic human need and an essential, non-negotiable part of recovery and long-term resilience.
It is time to be bold. This Council has the chance — and the responsibility — to take a clear stand for our people and our future. I support banning short-term rentals in residential communities, especially in West Maui and all areas where housing insecurity continues to threaten the well-being of our residents.
As Mayor Bissen wisely said:
“We often talk about the economic impact of change, but we rarely talk about the cost of doing nothing. The real loss isn’t measured in dollars — it’s in the families forced to leave, the cultural ties we weaken, and the future we risk for our keiki.”
The cost of doing nothing is is erasing the community that gives Maui its heart and identity. The cost is watching our children leave. The cost is the quiet displacement of those who are Maui. It’s empty classrooms, disconnected kupuna, and broken communities. We cannot keep prioritizing visitor accommodations while our own keiki are houseless, our families sleep in cars, or multiple generations are crammed under one roof — not by choice, but by necessity.
Let’s be honest. Short-term rentals are a root cause of the current housing crisis - and the same in other States and countries. The love that some claim for Maui from afar is not the same as the love shown daily by those who live here — who go to work, show up for their neighbors, volunteer in schools, and raise the next generation. That is real love for this place. That is who we must protect.
Many STR owners say they love Maui. But when disaster struck, and thousands were left without homes, most did not open their doors. They chose instead to rent to FEMA and the State at inflated rates of $7,000 to $11,000 per month. That is not love — that is profit.
We are not asking for punishment. We are demanding a pivot — a restoration of balance. This phase-out is not about resentment. It’s about survival, equity, and the right of our keiki to live in their community. We are willing to take the reductions in tourism jobs or tax revenues, if it means our local families can live with dignity.
We cannot afford to delay any longer. We must shift from transient lodging to permanent housing. We must reclaim homes for families, not vacationers. This is about more than policy. It’s about courage, justice, and doing the pono thing.
I urge you — for my children, my nephews, my cousins, for our fire survivors, for the families who refuse to give up — please pass Bill 9 and begin the long-overdue work of putting Maui residents first.
Mahalo for your leadership, your courage, and your deep commitment to a healthier, more just Maui - where every local ʻohana has a real chance to stay, grow, and build their future here.
Me ka haʻahaʻa,
Rhonda Alexander Monkres
I own a short term rental unit in Kihei and strongly oppose this bill. When my wife and I bought this unit many years ago we bought it with the idea of using the money earned to visit Maui twice a year and this is what we have done. We employ cleaners, repair workers, plumbers, electricians and these trades people would be seriously impacted by changing the zoning. We visit for 3 months and year and support local business like restaurants, groceries, tourist sites and spend considerable amounts of money which would be lost. It would have a devastating affect on Maui's economy and give Maui a horrible reputation at being hostile to visitors and an unreliable place to make any kind of investment.It is shameful that
you would change the rules after the fact and impact all the people like me who trusted the government and you elected officials.
To: The Maui Planning Commission
My name is Ryan LIncir and I am a STR property owner in Maui County. I am writing this testimony to express my opposition to the proposed legislation aiming to phase out over 7,000 STR units also known as the “Minatoya List”.
STR’s are a huge part of Maui’s economy! They significantly contribute to the local economy by attracting tourists that patronize local businesses. In Honokowai alone where my STR is, there are many businesses that benefit from the STR’s that are in close proximity. Businesses such as Fish Market Maui, Okazuya Deli, Bad Ass Coffee, and all the Food Trucks in the lot nearby to name only a few. STR’s create a more affordable option for tourists in comparison to hotels. Tourists are likely able to spend the money they saved on local businesses. The proposed legislation to eliminate STR’s on the “Minatoya List” zoned A1-A2 will immensely affect the local businesses that rely heavily on tourism dollars.
STR’s provide a unique housing option preferred by families and groups seeking a more affordable home-like option. As I said in the previous paragraph, when tourists save on lodging they are likely to spend the money they saved and put it right back into the local economy! It’s as simple as that! Not everyone can afford a seven hundred plus dollar a night hotel room! The diversity in accommodation options makes Maui an accessible destination for a broader range of visitors. The proposed legislation to eliminate STR’s on the “Minatoya List” zoned A1-A2 will directly affect the range of visitors that are able to come to Maui. This will tremendously affect Maui’s economy.
STR’s create more jobs for locals! Property Management, Cleaners, Plumbers, Electricians, Painters, landscapers etc… The proposed legislation to eliminate STR’s on the “Minatoya List” zoned A1-A2 will greatly reduce job opportunities and income for local families.
As an owner of an STR I am faced with a plethora of costs associated with owning a STR condo. Association dues, Land Lease, and special assessment costs add up to over $2500 a month. These expenses are necessary to maintain safety, property quality, and the appeal of the neighborhood.
Please take the time to consider how much the proposed legislation will affect local families, local economy, local employment, and local community well- being for the worse. Again, I would like to reiterate that I am against the proposed legislation to eliminate STR’s on the “Minatoya List” zoned A1-A2. Thankyou to The Maui Planning Commission for taking my testimony into consideration.
Sincerely,
Ryan Lincir
310-977-0202
rlincir@gmail.com
Dear members of the Housing and Land Use Committee,
As a small business owner on Maui, I am writing to express my strong support for Bill 9, phasing out short-term rentals currently operating under the Minatoya List and returning those homes to the housing inventory.
My employees are the backbone of my business—and many of them are struggling with exorbitant rents and the constant worry that next time they have to move they’ll be forced to leave the island altogether. This isn’t just a housing issue—this is a community crisis that affects our workforce, our economy, and our future.
The proliferation of short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods has made a difficult situation worse. These units could and should be used to house local residents and workers. Instead, they are catering to visitors, further reducing the already limited inventory of housing available to people who actually live and work here.
As a business owner, I often worry about losing talented, dedicated staff because they simply can’t afford to stay on Maui. If we want our businesses and communities to thrive, we need to ensure that our workers can live with dignity and stability—not be priced out or pushed out.
Bill 9 is a necessary step toward restoring that balance. It represents an opportunity to return housing to the long-term rental market and begin healing the damage done to our neighborhoods. I urge you to adopt this bill without weakening amendments, and to stand firm in your commitment to housing local people first.
Thank you for taking this bold and much-needed action.
Sincerely,
Melody Torres
Haiku, Maui
Being an owner and investor of an airb&b in Kihei, I have been negatively affected by this prevailing issue in Maui.
All I beg of the county is to understand how our investments can help in boosting Maui’s economy by encouraging us to run our business with less taxes and stiff regilations.
Thank you.
Aloha, I support the mayors plan to phase out short term rentals.
Mahalo Richard Rodarte
Myself and my wife live full time in Kihei, and we strongly oppose this bill.
The University of Hawaii’s recent study: “Economic Impacts of Reducing TVR’s on Maui” clearly indicates the many economic reasons this bill is a bad idea. It shows that this bill will cost an estimated 2000 jobs. It will cost the state an estimated 90 million dollars in lost tax revenues. It will not magically convert TVR’s into affordable housing for local residents. IT WILL lower property values and make our lives, the people who live here, more difficult in the long term.
Did the Mayor’s office or anyone else in Maui or State government do any analysis at all as of why this measure is good for Maui? If so where is that information?
Those people that lost their homes and jobs on the west side will not benefit from this bill, and every one of them wants to stay on the west side, but they can’t until additional “low-cost housing” is built for them on the west side; this should be the focus of Maui government.