I oppose this bill. My family has used one of these rentals. We spent thousands of dollars on our trip. When talking to my wife I even commented on how cohesive things felt for the week as a vacationer, living amongst my fellow Americans. I couldn't imagine paying the prices in the resort areas. No chance I could afford a vacation to your beautiful island. We have the upmost respect for Maui, and the lovely people we had the opportunity to meet and enjoy life with. From the outside looking in, I fear the worst if these rentals were taken away from us main landers. We deserve an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful life that you get to enjoy every day. It was the best two weeks of my life. I appreciate your time and will keep you in my prayers with your decision making.
Aloha
We write to express our profound opposition to Maui County’s proposed legislation which would prohibit short term rentals by owners of condos which fall on the Minatoya list. This concept is wrong on many counts.
#1 Honest, Ethical, Stable Government
In 2013, my wife and I, newly retired, contemplated finding a refuge from our harsh winters; a place where we could celebrate vacations with our children, and at that time, hoped for grandchildren. We are not wealthy, I am a retired public servant, and my wife a retired nurse. We did, however, have equity in our house, the product of rising property values, which have been experienced around the world. We knew that the only way to purchase a second home was to mortgage our primary residence. This purchase would be one of the biggest financial gambles of our married life. We did our homework.
We looked at many options. There was no question that other jurisdictions and countries such as Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, etc. offered far more property value for our dollar, but in the end, we were concerned about the stability and basic honesty of some local governments and their politicians. Ultimately, we decided to avoid the risk and focus on Maui. The additional cost of buying on Maui meant that our purchase would only work if we could rent out our condo on a short-term basis when we weren’t there.
We decided to purchase a condo in South Kihei, but before we purchased, we did more homework to ensure that short term rentals were permitted. We reviewed the prospectus for the then yet to be built Hale Kamaole condo complex. We reviewed the by-laws of the complex’s AOAO from inception to the current date. We reviewed various Maui County Council decisions. We noted that Maui’s property tax office classified our property as “Hotel/Resort”, even though it was on the Minatoya List. (This remained true for a number of years after purchase). It was clear from everything that we viewed that from the outset, our complex was built for vacation rentals, and had always operated as a complex for vacation rentals…with the full knowledge, acquiescence, and approval of Maui County Council.
Turns out that we were incorrect in thinking that Maui would guarantee honest, ethical, and stable government. Mayor Bissen’s motion to renege on previous Councils’ “codified” decisions is not only ill-considered, but should give anyone considering doing business, or investing in the County of Maui substantial doubt.
#2 Allegation that Vacation Rentals Replaced Accommodation Designed for Workers
This argument advanced by the mayor and supporters of his motion, particularly when considering the condominiums in Kihei and Wailea is just plain untrue. That this argument is used by those who know better, or ought, by virtue of their office, to know better, is disgraceful. In the absence of clear apartment zoning in the 1970’s, our Kihei complex was built for vacation rentals. Our unit has never housed a local worker, it has been used as a vacation rental for nearly 50 years…with the full knowledge of County Council(s).
#3 Our Vacation Rental Would Provide an Affordable Housing Option for a Local Resident
The AOAO fees for our condo are currently $1275. per month. In addition, we pay $2500 in special repair assessment and fees each month for a total of $3775 per month. Note that this is before insurance, taxes, electricity, and mortgage fees. Does anyone really think this would provide affordable accommodation?
#4 Vacation Rentals Create Unaffordability
Our property taxes, based on a property assessment which is wildly above any potential selling price, are currently $14,500 annually. Vacation rentals, although a tiny fraction of the number of households in Maui, pay a huge percentage of all property taxes on Maui and are the largest contributor to Maui’s Affordable Housing Fund. Maui Council continues to cut rates for resident homeowners at the expense of vacation rental homeowners. This is understandable, but begs the question as to how resident property owners will react to replacing the revenue and contributions if Council cuts off this source of revenue. Will they want to Council to cut programs or raise their taxes?
#5 Vacation Rental Owners Are “Investors”, And as Such, Should Be Prepared To Lose Their Investment.
Some politicians and advocacy leaders have stated that vacation rental owners are investors, and as such, should be prepared to lose their investments. First of all, what a unique approach to the concept of “aloha”! Is that the way they regard their own homes? We do not regard our condo as an investment; it is our home., We reside there for four months a year and treasure our community and our time spent there. In good times, our rental income barely covers our high expenses. We operated at a substantial loss last year, and this year will be worse. In any event, every single dime that we receive from our rentals is deposited to a bank in Kihei and is spent entirely in Maui. Can the hotels claim the same thing?
#6 Vacation Rentals are Ruining Maui’s Quality of Life.
We have a vested interest in helping to preserve the Maui, its lifestyle, and its people that attracted us to Maui in the first place. We are very careful to tread lightly, treating the land and people with respect. We instruct our guests, at length and in considerable detail, to do the same, to practice aloha and pono. We go to great lengths to buy local and support local businesses over big box stores. We are fanatical recyclers and we donate to local charities. We are happy to provide employment to property management staff, cleaners, landscapers, and all the other tradesmen who maintain and repair our aging complex. We love our local restaurants and provide our guests with a list of recommendations. Our guests don’t confine themselves to hotel grounds; they get out and spend their money in the community, where the money stays in Maui.
In conclusion, we recognize the very real pressures of housing supply and affordability. These are not unique to Maui; they are world wide. We grieve with the people of Lahaina. But Maui Council needs to replace the lost homes, it needs to build additional housing by removing barriers to building homes, to streamline permitting, to address the very real inequities in access to water. It needs to take positive action; not unfair, illogical, and financial ruinous action. Finally, Council needs to work to find ways to rebuild harmony between residents and visitors.
We urge Maui County Council to reject this motion to prohibit vacation rentals in condos on Minatoya list.
Mahalo,
Chris and Sheila Vondette
Hale Kamaole #333
As someone who grew up visiting Maui and now has the privilege of being a host, I strongly oppose Bill 9 and the proposed phase-out of short-term rentals on the Minatoya list. Owning a property on Maui has been incredibly meaningful to me, and sharing it with others has allowed me to contribute to the local economy while creating special experiences for guests who love the island as much as I do. Hosting supports jobs, sustains small businesses, and helps many of us afford the rising costs of ownership.
Dear Chair Kama, Vice Chair U'u-Hodgins and members of the Housing and Land use committee:
We : Julianna and Layton Monroe owners of Papakea unit D105 oppose Bill 9 and ask that the Council amend this Bill to exclude Papakea Oceanfront Resort.
Historically Papakea resort has been zoned as A2-H2 property.
Outlined below are our reasons why we feel this amendment should exclude Papakea Oceanfront resort.
- Papakea was initially marketed and sold as legal vacation rental property.
- Owners at Papakea have been operating legal vacation rentals for almost 50 years.
- The majority of units at Papakea are under 600 square feet with limited parking .
- Papakea has never been workforce housing and has not been converted from such type of housing.
- Papakea sits adjacent to a long stretch of hotel -zoned properties and is also adjacent to multiple- commercially zoned properties, allowing for much foot traffic to the local stores and businesses.
- Papakea has a front desk , activity concierge and many other resort activities and amenities .
- Owners purchased units at Papakea with information from Maui County ordinances , published documents, Hawaii state law and local Realtors that short-term rentals were legal based on such ordinances dating back as far as 1989 and as recent as 2022.
- Papakea Oceanfront Resort provides full time employment and benefits to local residents ( 35 ) some which have worked on the property for over 17 years. and some that have started in a entry-level position and have worked their way up to supervisory roles making this their career.
- Papakea supports many local trade professionals: masonry, tile, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, painting , general contracting , pest control, fitness instructors , entertainers, , tree trimmers , pool and pond maintenance to name several.
- Many small. business owners rely on Papakea's STR to provide work for their employees, including housekeeping, accounting, handymen, on-island agents which also provides for some flexibility for these employees home life and families. Taking away the STR's at Papakea would men these local residents would have to find other work which may not provide for the same kind of flexibility.
- Many Papakea guests return to the property and along with owners support many local businesses on the island, including, stores, restaurants, small businesses , tour and activity operators , State and National parks and give back to the community by volunteering in beach clean -ups , at the hospital, Maui Humane Society and contribute to other local philanthropic efforts.
- Papakea's STRs supports the State of HI and County of Maui through payment of property taxes ( most at STR rates ) Transient Accommodation Tax, General Excise Tax and Maui County TAT .
- Shutting down STR;s at Papakea would mean many lost jobs for local residents and less foot traffic for the local business in the area.
Thank You for this opportunity to allow for comments, we hope you take the above comments into consideration..
Best regards :
Julianna and Layton Monroe
3543 Lower Honoapi'iilani Hwy D105
Thank you for considering my testimony. I am a current STR owner. I urge the council to vote No to Bill 9 to convert short-term rentals (STR) to long-term (LTR) and rather consider options that are best for all involved. Converting to an LTR would take away the intent of the purchase - to use it and in some small way to be part of the Maui community by supporting local businesses and by hiring locals to care for the property such as my maintenance man. Contrary to popular belief, it is not primarily a monetary investment. In fact, as an STR owner I have yet to break even on my purchase.
Some questions that may help in making the decision:
1. How many local families have taken advantage of the current STR long-term leases? (Verifying the numbers through FEMA would likely be most accurate).
2. What do locals desire in long-term housing and in what areas do they prefer to live?
I understand this is not an easy decision and local Hawaiian’s are the priority, but banning current legal STR’s will undermine not further this goal. It will eliminate many local jobs supporting local Hawaiian’s and their businesses and reduce tax revenue while not accomplishing the goal of providing long-term housing that addresses the needs of displaced local families. I urge the council to vote No to Bill 9 that bans current legal STR’s converting them to LTR’s and to look at other options, like fast tracking permits for building new homes.
Richard & Marlene Rainen
3643 Lower Honoapiilani Rd, A 301
Lahaina, HI 96761
June 8, 2025
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,
Richard & Marlene Rainen
3543 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Apartment A 301
Dear Chair Kama, Vice Chair Uʻu-Hodgins and Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee:
Thank you for your consideration.
I have been an owner of a Papakea Resort unit since 1990 and have been to Maui over 100 times since my first two month visit living in Kihei in 1974. I have retained a local property management company to procure short term rentals for the entire 35 years I have owned my unit.
I currently have as my management company My Perfect Stays and truly appreciate their homeowner liaison, Promis, who makes each of my visits more real from her resident's perspective.
In speaking with her during my May visit, she explained how doing away with short term rentals would be so devastating for her community. The tourist industry provides so many jobs for so many of her friends and family. I have the impression that she has lived her entire life on Maui as has her husband and their four children. There was grave concern in her voice when she indicated that she didn't know what she and her family would do if Bill 9 passed. Leaving Maui would have to be a consideration she hopes she doesn't face.
The Lahaina fire has put Maui in a precarious position. Please do not compound the problem by trying to "legislate" a solution. Usually "unintended consequences" negate the intended benefits of drastic legislation. Here we are staring at truly "obvious consequences" that will greatly impact tourism as well as property values.
My best friend from kindergarten was second in command at the Attorney General's Office for the State of Alaska and was in charge of crisis management for the State of Alaska. When tragedy would strike everybody would voice that "something had to be done". The first option that he always considered was...what are the consequences of doing nothing? He found that "doing nothing of significance" was surprisingly the best option about 50% of the time. All other options had adverse consequences that outweighed the benefits in his analysis.
I believe that Bill 9 has been generated by the feeling that "something must be done" moreso than it is sound legislation.
I hope that your leadership in these very trying times will allow you to stay the course and not compound the tragedy that has befallen our Island. My prayers are with you.
Aloha. My name is Trevor Alt. I am a Lahaina resident lucky enough to have been spared by the fire and I am the owner/manager of 2 west Maui vacation rentable properties that are not on the Minatoya list and would not be phased out if this legislation passes. At this time the revenue from my vacation rental business does not cover all the expenses but I am not in danger of losing anything and I am hopeful that our economy will recover and someday I may turn a profit. Over the years my business has paid more than half a million dollars in Transient Accommodation Taxes, General Excise Taxes, and property taxes (at a rate more than six times higher than the rate that applies to owner occupants). Multiply the amount of taxes I've paid by the number of vacation rentals that would be phased out and you get an idea of what the tax revenue losses would look like over the next ten years if the phaseout passes - it's not something Maui county or it's people could endure.
Ironically, the studies done on the effects of the phaseout show that so many Maui residents would lose their jobs if Bill 9 passes, that the housing crisis might be *solved* when thousands of residents lost their jobs created by vacation rentals and were forced to leave the island - but that's an outcome that only the uncaring corporate hotel industry would favor.
I oppose the phaseout because it would be a disaster for Maui's economy. The studies done on the subject all showed disastrous job losses, loss of visitor spending, and massive losses of tax revenue that cannot be replaced. Each of my west Maui vacation rentals has an on island representative, cleaners, handymen, and other vendors who earn good money as a part of my team - much more than the hotel industry would pay if they were employed by hotels. Personally I make it a point to support locally owned businesses by giving them my business, tipping generously, and by referring my guests to those locally owned businesses rather than to businesses owned by off island corporations. I recently attended a the Lahaina Restoration Foundation Benefit Luau at the Old Lahaina Luau.
We need to broaden Maui's economy to make it less dependent on tourism and we need real, practical solutions to the housing crisis that has been essentially ignored for most of the last 40 years. There are better tools to get us there — enforce existing illegal STR bans, increase enforcement/collection of taxes, incentivize affordable housing development, reduce permitting delays and expenses, build more infrastructure to tap Maui's abundant supplies of ground water, and create programs that actually help working families stay on island like the downpayment assistance program. Let’s choose solutions that help Maui's people more than off island corporations and build a future that feels right for all of Maui.
I truly hope you recommend to not have the STR Bill approved.
There must be a better approach to reduce the pressure on rental and home ownership inventory than what has been proposed by Mayor Bissen.
The Minatoya properties have been generating 100’s of millions of dollars in land tax and GE/TAT income for decades as well as supporting the Maui economy with spin-off tourism revenues.
STR’s are the Backbone of Middle Class tourism and provide families with the type of accommodation hotels don’t offer, like kitchens to cook some of their meals.
An example of a more effective approach to STR’s, British Columbia (BC, Canada) last year banned non-hosted rental properties and all rentals must be registered and VRBO and AirBnB must provide the government any properties that have no licence.
In the City of Kelowna over 2,700 properties were freed up and now only 700 are licensed.
Please restore visitor confidence in coming to Maui and staying in legal STR’s as they always have.
This bill will be an economic crisis for many reasons and cause many workers to lose their jobs or erode their income.
Thank you for your time and wisdom to do the right thing for our Maui Island.
Mahalo!
I feel that the removal of 6,000 short term rental units would create a devastating economic ripple affect , causing the loss of 1,000's jobs that rely on them for income. They lose their job, can't pay the rent , no need for this additional housing.
Mahalo,
M.H.
I am the resort manager at the Kihei Resort and converting those units to longterm would be a terrible terrible decision. These units are not built for longterm housing, explicitly built for vacation properties and not workforce housing back in the 80s. There is no storage whatsoever, only 1 assigned parking stall. Where should people park??? There is no parking on S. Kihei Rd. Also with the HOA fees it is highly non affordable for longterm. Please use common sense and put an end to that ridiculous agenda.
My name is Kevin Block. I am an attorney in private practice and a more than forty year resident of Maui.
I support phasing out the Minatoya list with no carveouts. For too long, county policy and lawmakers have favored new arrivals and the interests of investment and capitalism rather than the long time residents of Maui. In Lahaina, it is unconsionable that there should be short term vacation rentals in favor of housing for the residents. It is time for our leadership to show courage and integrity in standing up to moneyed interests and suppporting the people of Lahaina, Kanaka Maoli and long-time residents. Let their voices lead.
I understand that there are interests who may have to change their plans for their second homes or investment properties but we have to weigh that against the far more significant harm of local families being forced out of their homeland. The choice is clear when guided by principle rather than profit.
Aloha,
Let's be clear-this housing crisis didn't happen overnight. It happened because short-term rentals were allowed to expand far beyond resort zones and into the very neighborhoods where local people are trying to live. By the time the fire hit, nearly 90% of homes north of Kã'anapali were STRs. That's not tourism, it's displacement.
And phasing out STRs doesn't mean we're rejecting tourism. It means we're calling for it to return to the resort areas where it was always meant to be. The data shows that even with thousands of STRs removed, our occupancy rate is still projected to increase. Tourism can thrive and our people can have homes.
This also isn't about jobs. Most of these STRs don't employ local workers. They're often remote-managed, non-union, and disconnected from our local economy. Meanwhile, we have hundreds of open jobs in the County-jobs with benefits that our residents could fill if they had housing.
We've waited long enough. We've watched our communities hollow out while other places took action. It's time for Maui to stand up for its people and stop treating STRs like they're above regulation.
And please-I ask you to include no carve-outs or exemptions for timeshares. Every exception chips away at the solution.
Mahalo for your time and for standing with those of us who are still fighting to stay home.
Sincerely, Rochelle Coop
My husband and I own property in the Kapalua Bay Villas, Kapalua Resort in Maui County. We are writing to express our strong opposition to the proposed short-term rental ban.
The Kapalua Resort is a master planned resort community. The Kapalua Bay, Ridge, and Golf Villas were 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 us, support the local Maui community. We frequent and recommend many local businesses and employ many local service providers, many of whom have become valued friends over the years. The proposed ordinance has already damaged tourism and negatively impacted the local community.
The Kapalua Bay Villas are not suitable for affordable family housing. The Villas are very expensive to buy. Annual maintenance is hugely expensive. Annual homeowners’ expenses can exceed tens of thousands of dollars. Insurance and taxes are very expensive. Our taxes have tripled since we purchased our property. Future building repairs will be very expensive in our over-45-year-old buildings. Kapalua Resort rules ban work vehicles, restrict parking, limit occupancy, prohibit pets, and have little to no storage space.
Multiple studies have shown that the proposed ordinance will have a very harmful impact on the Maui economy, particularly if a ban is overbroad and not carefully tailored to balance the need for affordable housing with the significant damage to tourism and the Maui economy, including its tax base. In balancing these considerations, the clear and obvious public interest requires exempting the Kapalua Resort from any short-term rental ban the County might adopt.
Please exclude the Kapalua Resort from any short-term rental ban you might recommend.
Mahalo for your time and careful consideration.
Sincerely,
Bruce and Jana Hall
Kapalua Bay Villas
Maui Council Written Testimony in opposition to Bill 9 for June 9th
Kevin and Fely Krewell, owners of a condo on the Minatoya list
Thank you for reading our testimony.
We listen to almost the entire testimony on June 25th, 2024 to the Maui Planning Committee and heard two distinct messages:
From those in favor of this measure to eliminate TVRs – Maui needs more housing now and eliminating the TVRs will dramatically increase the pool of units for long term rental or purchase. But most of testimony was about the loss of homelands and community on West Maui.
Those who spoke in opposition to the measure, expressed much sympathy with the Lahaina community and several provided details of how they have contributed to help the Lahaina Fire survivors. Many of the opponents are small businesses that need the TVRs to survive.
The Minatoya list has been in existence for decades. This contrasts with major cities such as New York and Barcelona whose TVRs only came about recently due to online services like AirBnB. The properties on the Minatoya list were built prior to AirBnB, some even predate the Internet. Trading STRs for possible long-term housing does not address the environmental impact of too much development. There needs to be a holistic study and plan for housing and development on Maui.
And let’s be clear: you are not voting to “convert” TVRs to long-term housing, you are just voting to eliminate TVRs – the use of the privately held units is still up to the owners and the housing market.
There’s no demonstratable proof that eliminating TVRs will significantly increase AFFORDABLE housing. Locals always had the opportunity to buy these properties in the past and chose not to. Why is it different now? Expenses are presently skyrocketing with higher insurance, maintenance, and taxes.
We own an STR unit on the Minatoya list, we spend almost half the year on Maui since we retired and the other half renting it out. Our unit rents at a fraction of the cost of a hotel and that allows tourists to spend additional money on local businesses – they are locked in to hotel services.
Because it’s our home on Maui, we will not offer it as a long-term rental and do not plan to sell it. If the proposal passes, we would not be able to rent it out, depriving local merchants of additional tourist dollars for short term renters and the Maui government of tax revenue. Many other TVR owners are in similar situations. The market value of these units will fall further and that will also deprive Maui of tax revenue.
The elimination of ALL units on the A1/A2 area of the Minatoya list is too radical, happening too quickly for Maui’s economy and STR owners to adjust.
Please consider this testimony and reject Bill 9. We consider Maui our home and want the best for all of Maui.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony.
Thank you, once again, for the opportunity to write and express my opinion on this very ill conceived idea to get rid of condo rentals on Molokai. In addition to the already stated reasons (more taxes collected on all fronts - property, GE from workers, as well as TAT), where are the LOCALS to stay for a funeral, graduation, etc? I'm sorry, Maui fire victims are not moving here in droves to rent a one bedroom condo on Molokai. I take care of many houses that used to be rentals (owners being petrified of renting due to county restrictions) and am amazed at how many locals ask me if they can rent, when they know they are illegal. The guest books in the condos are full of thank yous from the local who has moved to the mainland and is back for Uncle's funeral, etc, who, if this law goes through, will not be able to do that. This begs one question from Ms. Poepoe: Will you put these people up? Respectfully, Karen Larsen
Public Testimony: Opposition to Bill 9 – Mike and Joanne Pelfini
Maui County Council – Housing and Land Use Committee
Aloha Council Members,
We are Mike and Joanne Pelfini, the owners of a condominium in the Wailea Ekahi complex. We are writing to respectfully express our strong opposition to Bill 9, which would eliminate the legal right to operate transient vacation rentals in Minatoya properties, including ours.
Our unit has been responsibly operated under existing legal frameworks, and we believe Bill 9 unfairly targets compliant property owners while ignoring the broader contributions we make to the Maui community. We urge the Council to reconsider the long-term implications of this bill, for the following reasons:
Substantial Contribution to County Revenue
Short-term rental property owners like us contribute approximately 37% of Maui County’s total property tax revenue. These funds directly support essential public services, infrastructure, and community programs. Removing legally operating vacation rentals from the equation would have a significant fiscal impact on the County’s ability to meet its obligations.
Support for Local Employment and Business
Our property is managed by a locally owned Maui business that employs over 100 residents. The success of this business directly supports local jobs and keeps profits circulating within the Maui economy. Eliminating legal short-term rentals would undermine the economic viability of such employers.
Small Business Owners at Risk
Our housekeepers are independent small business owners, many of whom are residents who depend on vacation rental contracts for their livelihood. If Bill 9 passes, these hardworking professionals could lose a critical source of income.
Local Trade Network and Economic Ripple Effects
Vacation rentals like ours rely on local vendors—plumbers, electricians, maintenance workers, and contractors—to maintain and operate safely and professionally. These service providers form an essential part of the economic fabric of Maui and would suffer serious setbacks if legal STRs are shut down.
Direct Humanitarian Support for the Community
In the wake of the recent wildfires, we actively reached out to help displaced residents. We opened our home to a wildfire survivor family, providing free housing for a month until they were able to find a longer-term solution. This is just one example of the many ways responsible property owners can—and do—support Maui residents in times of need.
We recognize the urgent need to address Maui’s housing crisis, but we respectfully submit that Bill 9 is a blunt instrument that punishes legally operating property owners and undermines local jobs, revenue, and community resilience. We ask you to preserve the rights of Minatoya properties and pursue more balanced, evidence-based solutions that address housing challenges without destabilizing Maui's economy and workforce.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Mike and Joanne Pelfini
Owners, Wailea Ekahi Unit #5E
Hello Chair, Vice, Chair, and Committee Members. My name is Beth Hodges, and I own a short-term rental property in Maui County. I am writing today to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed legislation to phase out more than 7000 vacation rentals.
Many families coming to enjoy the special magic of the island of Maui would not be able to afford the trip if they had to rent multiple hotel rooms to hold their family members. The option of a short term rental,often with a kitchen, allows these families to experience Maui and still have additional money left over to enjoy Activities, food experiences, ecological trips, whale watching and other activities that employ many Maui citizens. We know many business owners and Maui citizens who are extremely worried about the passage of this bill hurting their businesses and their employment prospects. Every short term rental owner employees local service providers, such as cleaners, maintenance technicians, landscapers, and rental managers. All of these people would be unemployed without the work they do for properties like ours.
We have made multiple trips back to Maui since the fire and have also talked many times to friends and acquaintances who live and work on Maui full-time. Out of all of the people we have communicated with, almost 100% of these people feel that this legislation will negatively affect their lives if it goes through. They are the people living and working on Maui, and their voices should count.
This legislation feels rushed and one-sided. I urge the Council to work with Owners like us to find a fair and balanced path forward that protects local jobs, supports the economy, and holds short term rental owners to high standards, instead of phasing us out completely.
Greetings, Members of the Maui County Housing and Land Use Committee,
Thank you for allowing us to submit written testimony regarding Bill 9. We own a condominium on the Minatoya list and strongly oppose Bill 9, which would phase-out short-term rentals (STRs).
We are primarily concerned about the number of full-time jobs that would be lost by the employees supporting these STRs. At our 30-unit condominium complex, these people would undoubtedly lose their jobs if Bill 9 is approved:
1. Tammy Estrada, Reservation Booking Manager (FT)
2. Ricky Lew, Resident Maintenance Manager (FT)
3. Mariano Diego-Clarion, who owns and operates a housekeeping business, with four employees (FT)
4. Wyatt Loft, who owns and operated a garden service, with ten employees (FT)
5. Moy Sanchez, Handyman (PT)
6. Will Means, Handyman (PT)
All of these people are long-time, permanent Maui residents who depend on the income from their jobs, supporting and maintaining STRs, to support their families.
In addition, there are many contractors who would lose a significant volume of
business – painters for example.
There are 161 names on the Minatoya List (104 in Apartment Districts plus 57 in the non-Apartment Districts), so I calculate a minimum of 966 full-time job would be lost (calculated as 6 x 161). Perhaps as many as 2,737 (calculated as 17 x 161).
Immediately after the 2023 Wildfire, we invited the Diego-Clarion family to use our condominium, free of cost. Their home on Ainakea Place, was destroyed by the fire. This six-member family and their dog, stayed for four months, until they were able to find a larger rental house.
I have a couple of suggestions as alternatives to a complete STR ban:
1. Require all condominiums owner associations to request a change of zoning from STR to Hotel District if they wish to be exempted from Bill 9. The Maui County Planning Department has a formal application procedure for this action. We actually submitted our application two months ago; however, the Planning Department is holding our application until the County Council reaches a decision on Bill 9. If an applicant can satisfy the department’s criteria, then the Council should exempt those STRs from Bill 9. Incidentally, this is a good source of income for the County, as the fee for each application is $4,500. The fees collected could be used to fund affordable housing. You could increase the fee if you wish.
2. In Lahaina, designate all condominiums on the west side of Lower Honoapiilani Rd as a hotel district zone; and designate all condominiums on the east side of Lower Honoapiilani Rd as workforce housing.
Thank you for considering our testimony in opposition to Bill 9.
Mary and Tom Victorine
Makani Sands Condominiums
3565 Lower Honoapiilani Rd, Unit #110
Lahaina, HI 96761
TJMJV@PACBELL.NET
I oppose this bill. My family has used one of these rentals. We spent thousands of dollars on our trip. When talking to my wife I even commented on how cohesive things felt for the week as a vacationer, living amongst my fellow Americans. I couldn't imagine paying the prices in the resort areas. No chance I could afford a vacation to your beautiful island. We have the upmost respect for Maui, and the lovely people we had the opportunity to meet and enjoy life with. From the outside looking in, I fear the worst if these rentals were taken away from us main landers. We deserve an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful life that you get to enjoy every day. It was the best two weeks of my life. I appreciate your time and will keep you in my prayers with your decision making.
Robert Douglas
Aloha
We write to express our profound opposition to Maui County’s proposed legislation which would prohibit short term rentals by owners of condos which fall on the Minatoya list. This concept is wrong on many counts.
#1 Honest, Ethical, Stable Government
In 2013, my wife and I, newly retired, contemplated finding a refuge from our harsh winters; a place where we could celebrate vacations with our children, and at that time, hoped for grandchildren. We are not wealthy, I am a retired public servant, and my wife a retired nurse. We did, however, have equity in our house, the product of rising property values, which have been experienced around the world. We knew that the only way to purchase a second home was to mortgage our primary residence. This purchase would be one of the biggest financial gambles of our married life. We did our homework.
We looked at many options. There was no question that other jurisdictions and countries such as Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, etc. offered far more property value for our dollar, but in the end, we were concerned about the stability and basic honesty of some local governments and their politicians. Ultimately, we decided to avoid the risk and focus on Maui. The additional cost of buying on Maui meant that our purchase would only work if we could rent out our condo on a short-term basis when we weren’t there.
We decided to purchase a condo in South Kihei, but before we purchased, we did more homework to ensure that short term rentals were permitted. We reviewed the prospectus for the then yet to be built Hale Kamaole condo complex. We reviewed the by-laws of the complex’s AOAO from inception to the current date. We reviewed various Maui County Council decisions. We noted that Maui’s property tax office classified our property as “Hotel/Resort”, even though it was on the Minatoya List. (This remained true for a number of years after purchase). It was clear from everything that we viewed that from the outset, our complex was built for vacation rentals, and had always operated as a complex for vacation rentals…with the full knowledge, acquiescence, and approval of Maui County Council.
Turns out that we were incorrect in thinking that Maui would guarantee honest, ethical, and stable government. Mayor Bissen’s motion to renege on previous Councils’ “codified” decisions is not only ill-considered, but should give anyone considering doing business, or investing in the County of Maui substantial doubt.
#2 Allegation that Vacation Rentals Replaced Accommodation Designed for Workers
This argument advanced by the mayor and supporters of his motion, particularly when considering the condominiums in Kihei and Wailea is just plain untrue. That this argument is used by those who know better, or ought, by virtue of their office, to know better, is disgraceful. In the absence of clear apartment zoning in the 1970’s, our Kihei complex was built for vacation rentals. Our unit has never housed a local worker, it has been used as a vacation rental for nearly 50 years…with the full knowledge of County Council(s).
#3 Our Vacation Rental Would Provide an Affordable Housing Option for a Local Resident
The AOAO fees for our condo are currently $1275. per month. In addition, we pay $2500 in special repair assessment and fees each month for a total of $3775 per month. Note that this is before insurance, taxes, electricity, and mortgage fees. Does anyone really think this would provide affordable accommodation?
#4 Vacation Rentals Create Unaffordability
Our property taxes, based on a property assessment which is wildly above any potential selling price, are currently $14,500 annually. Vacation rentals, although a tiny fraction of the number of households in Maui, pay a huge percentage of all property taxes on Maui and are the largest contributor to Maui’s Affordable Housing Fund. Maui Council continues to cut rates for resident homeowners at the expense of vacation rental homeowners. This is understandable, but begs the question as to how resident property owners will react to replacing the revenue and contributions if Council cuts off this source of revenue. Will they want to Council to cut programs or raise their taxes?
#5 Vacation Rental Owners Are “Investors”, And as Such, Should Be Prepared To Lose Their Investment.
Some politicians and advocacy leaders have stated that vacation rental owners are investors, and as such, should be prepared to lose their investments. First of all, what a unique approach to the concept of “aloha”! Is that the way they regard their own homes? We do not regard our condo as an investment; it is our home., We reside there for four months a year and treasure our community and our time spent there. In good times, our rental income barely covers our high expenses. We operated at a substantial loss last year, and this year will be worse. In any event, every single dime that we receive from our rentals is deposited to a bank in Kihei and is spent entirely in Maui. Can the hotels claim the same thing?
#6 Vacation Rentals are Ruining Maui’s Quality of Life.
We have a vested interest in helping to preserve the Maui, its lifestyle, and its people that attracted us to Maui in the first place. We are very careful to tread lightly, treating the land and people with respect. We instruct our guests, at length and in considerable detail, to do the same, to practice aloha and pono. We go to great lengths to buy local and support local businesses over big box stores. We are fanatical recyclers and we donate to local charities. We are happy to provide employment to property management staff, cleaners, landscapers, and all the other tradesmen who maintain and repair our aging complex. We love our local restaurants and provide our guests with a list of recommendations. Our guests don’t confine themselves to hotel grounds; they get out and spend their money in the community, where the money stays in Maui.
In conclusion, we recognize the very real pressures of housing supply and affordability. These are not unique to Maui; they are world wide. We grieve with the people of Lahaina. But Maui Council needs to replace the lost homes, it needs to build additional housing by removing barriers to building homes, to streamline permitting, to address the very real inequities in access to water. It needs to take positive action; not unfair, illogical, and financial ruinous action. Finally, Council needs to work to find ways to rebuild harmony between residents and visitors.
We urge Maui County Council to reject this motion to prohibit vacation rentals in condos on Minatoya list.
Mahalo,
Chris and Sheila Vondette
Hale Kamaole #333
As someone who grew up visiting Maui and now has the privilege of being a host, I strongly oppose Bill 9 and the proposed phase-out of short-term rentals on the Minatoya list. Owning a property on Maui has been incredibly meaningful to me, and sharing it with others has allowed me to contribute to the local economy while creating special experiences for guests who love the island as much as I do. Hosting supports jobs, sustains small businesses, and helps many of us afford the rising costs of ownership.
Dear Chair Kama, Vice Chair U'u-Hodgins and members of the Housing and Land use committee:
We : Julianna and Layton Monroe owners of Papakea unit D105 oppose Bill 9 and ask that the Council amend this Bill to exclude Papakea Oceanfront Resort.
Historically Papakea resort has been zoned as A2-H2 property.
Outlined below are our reasons why we feel this amendment should exclude Papakea Oceanfront resort.
- Papakea was initially marketed and sold as legal vacation rental property.
- Owners at Papakea have been operating legal vacation rentals for almost 50 years.
- The majority of units at Papakea are under 600 square feet with limited parking .
- Papakea has never been workforce housing and has not been converted from such type of housing.
- Papakea sits adjacent to a long stretch of hotel -zoned properties and is also adjacent to multiple- commercially zoned properties, allowing for much foot traffic to the local stores and businesses.
- Papakea has a front desk , activity concierge and many other resort activities and amenities .
- Owners purchased units at Papakea with information from Maui County ordinances , published documents, Hawaii state law and local Realtors that short-term rentals were legal based on such ordinances dating back as far as 1989 and as recent as 2022.
- Papakea Oceanfront Resort provides full time employment and benefits to local residents ( 35 ) some which have worked on the property for over 17 years. and some that have started in a entry-level position and have worked their way up to supervisory roles making this their career.
- Papakea supports many local trade professionals: masonry, tile, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, painting , general contracting , pest control, fitness instructors , entertainers, , tree trimmers , pool and pond maintenance to name several.
- Many small. business owners rely on Papakea's STR to provide work for their employees, including housekeeping, accounting, handymen, on-island agents which also provides for some flexibility for these employees home life and families. Taking away the STR's at Papakea would men these local residents would have to find other work which may not provide for the same kind of flexibility.
- Many Papakea guests return to the property and along with owners support many local businesses on the island, including, stores, restaurants, small businesses , tour and activity operators , State and National parks and give back to the community by volunteering in beach clean -ups , at the hospital, Maui Humane Society and contribute to other local philanthropic efforts.
- Papakea's STRs supports the State of HI and County of Maui through payment of property taxes ( most at STR rates ) Transient Accommodation Tax, General Excise Tax and Maui County TAT .
- Shutting down STR;s at Papakea would mean many lost jobs for local residents and less foot traffic for the local business in the area.
Thank You for this opportunity to allow for comments, we hope you take the above comments into consideration..
Best regards :
Julianna and Layton Monroe
3543 Lower Honoapi'iilani Hwy D105
June 9, 2025
Dear Maui Council Members,
Thank you for considering my testimony. I am a current STR owner. I urge the council to vote No to Bill 9 to convert short-term rentals (STR) to long-term (LTR) and rather consider options that are best for all involved. Converting to an LTR would take away the intent of the purchase - to use it and in some small way to be part of the Maui community by supporting local businesses and by hiring locals to care for the property such as my maintenance man. Contrary to popular belief, it is not primarily a monetary investment. In fact, as an STR owner I have yet to break even on my purchase.
Some questions that may help in making the decision:
1. How many local families have taken advantage of the current STR long-term leases? (Verifying the numbers through FEMA would likely be most accurate).
2. What do locals desire in long-term housing and in what areas do they prefer to live?
I understand this is not an easy decision and local Hawaiian’s are the priority, but banning current legal STR’s will undermine not further this goal. It will eliminate many local jobs supporting local Hawaiian’s and their businesses and reduce tax revenue while not accomplishing the goal of providing long-term housing that addresses the needs of displaced local families. I urge the council to vote No to Bill 9 that bans current legal STR’s converting them to LTR’s and to look at other options, like fast tracking permits for building new homes.
Mahalo for your thoughtful consideration.
Kevin Krafft
Richard & Marlene Rainen
3643 Lower Honoapiilani Rd, A 301
Lahaina, HI 96761
June 8, 2025
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,
Richard & Marlene Rainen
3543 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Apartment A 301
Dear Chair Kama, Vice Chair Uʻu-Hodgins and Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee:
Thank you for your consideration.
I have been an owner of a Papakea Resort unit since 1990 and have been to Maui over 100 times since my first two month visit living in Kihei in 1974. I have retained a local property management company to procure short term rentals for the entire 35 years I have owned my unit.
I currently have as my management company My Perfect Stays and truly appreciate their homeowner liaison, Promis, who makes each of my visits more real from her resident's perspective.
In speaking with her during my May visit, she explained how doing away with short term rentals would be so devastating for her community. The tourist industry provides so many jobs for so many of her friends and family. I have the impression that she has lived her entire life on Maui as has her husband and their four children. There was grave concern in her voice when she indicated that she didn't know what she and her family would do if Bill 9 passed. Leaving Maui would have to be a consideration she hopes she doesn't face.
The Lahaina fire has put Maui in a precarious position. Please do not compound the problem by trying to "legislate" a solution. Usually "unintended consequences" negate the intended benefits of drastic legislation. Here we are staring at truly "obvious consequences" that will greatly impact tourism as well as property values.
My best friend from kindergarten was second in command at the Attorney General's Office for the State of Alaska and was in charge of crisis management for the State of Alaska. When tragedy would strike everybody would voice that "something had to be done". The first option that he always considered was...what are the consequences of doing nothing? He found that "doing nothing of significance" was surprisingly the best option about 50% of the time. All other options had adverse consequences that outweighed the benefits in his analysis.
I believe that Bill 9 has been generated by the feeling that "something must be done" moreso than it is sound legislation.
I hope that your leadership in these very trying times will allow you to stay the course and not compound the tragedy that has befallen our Island. My prayers are with you.
Brad N. Baker -- Papakea Resort
Aloha. My name is Trevor Alt. I am a Lahaina resident lucky enough to have been spared by the fire and I am the owner/manager of 2 west Maui vacation rentable properties that are not on the Minatoya list and would not be phased out if this legislation passes. At this time the revenue from my vacation rental business does not cover all the expenses but I am not in danger of losing anything and I am hopeful that our economy will recover and someday I may turn a profit. Over the years my business has paid more than half a million dollars in Transient Accommodation Taxes, General Excise Taxes, and property taxes (at a rate more than six times higher than the rate that applies to owner occupants). Multiply the amount of taxes I've paid by the number of vacation rentals that would be phased out and you get an idea of what the tax revenue losses would look like over the next ten years if the phaseout passes - it's not something Maui county or it's people could endure.
Ironically, the studies done on the effects of the phaseout show that so many Maui residents would lose their jobs if Bill 9 passes, that the housing crisis might be *solved* when thousands of residents lost their jobs created by vacation rentals and were forced to leave the island - but that's an outcome that only the uncaring corporate hotel industry would favor.
I oppose the phaseout because it would be a disaster for Maui's economy. The studies done on the subject all showed disastrous job losses, loss of visitor spending, and massive losses of tax revenue that cannot be replaced. Each of my west Maui vacation rentals has an on island representative, cleaners, handymen, and other vendors who earn good money as a part of my team - much more than the hotel industry would pay if they were employed by hotels. Personally I make it a point to support locally owned businesses by giving them my business, tipping generously, and by referring my guests to those locally owned businesses rather than to businesses owned by off island corporations. I recently attended a the Lahaina Restoration Foundation Benefit Luau at the Old Lahaina Luau.
We need to broaden Maui's economy to make it less dependent on tourism and we need real, practical solutions to the housing crisis that has been essentially ignored for most of the last 40 years. There are better tools to get us there — enforce existing illegal STR bans, increase enforcement/collection of taxes, incentivize affordable housing development, reduce permitting delays and expenses, build more infrastructure to tap Maui's abundant supplies of ground water, and create programs that actually help working families stay on island like the downpayment assistance program. Let’s choose solutions that help Maui's people more than off island corporations and build a future that feels right for all of Maui.
Mahalo for your consideration.
Trevor Alt
Aloha Committee Members,
I truly hope you recommend to not have the STR Bill approved.
There must be a better approach to reduce the pressure on rental and home ownership inventory than what has been proposed by Mayor Bissen.
The Minatoya properties have been generating 100’s of millions of dollars in land tax and GE/TAT income for decades as well as supporting the Maui economy with spin-off tourism revenues.
STR’s are the Backbone of Middle Class tourism and provide families with the type of accommodation hotels don’t offer, like kitchens to cook some of their meals.
An example of a more effective approach to STR’s, British Columbia (BC, Canada) last year banned non-hosted rental properties and all rentals must be registered and VRBO and AirBnB must provide the government any properties that have no licence.
In the City of Kelowna over 2,700 properties were freed up and now only 700 are licensed.
Please restore visitor confidence in coming to Maui and staying in legal STR’s as they always have.
This bill will be an economic crisis for many reasons and cause many workers to lose their jobs or erode their income.
Thank you for your time and wisdom to do the right thing for our Maui Island.
Mahalo!
I feel that the removal of 6,000 short term rental units would create a devastating economic ripple affect , causing the loss of 1,000's jobs that rely on them for income. They lose their job, can't pay the rent , no need for this additional housing.
Mahalo,
M.H.
I am the resort manager at the Kihei Resort and converting those units to longterm would be a terrible terrible decision. These units are not built for longterm housing, explicitly built for vacation properties and not workforce housing back in the 80s. There is no storage whatsoever, only 1 assigned parking stall. Where should people park??? There is no parking on S. Kihei Rd. Also with the HOA fees it is highly non affordable for longterm. Please use common sense and put an end to that ridiculous agenda.
My name is Kevin Block. I am an attorney in private practice and a more than forty year resident of Maui.
I support phasing out the Minatoya list with no carveouts. For too long, county policy and lawmakers have favored new arrivals and the interests of investment and capitalism rather than the long time residents of Maui. In Lahaina, it is unconsionable that there should be short term vacation rentals in favor of housing for the residents. It is time for our leadership to show courage and integrity in standing up to moneyed interests and suppporting the people of Lahaina, Kanaka Maoli and long-time residents. Let their voices lead.
I understand that there are interests who may have to change their plans for their second homes or investment properties but we have to weigh that against the far more significant harm of local families being forced out of their homeland. The choice is clear when guided by principle rather than profit.
Aloha,
Let's be clear-this housing crisis didn't happen overnight. It happened because short-term rentals were allowed to expand far beyond resort zones and into the very neighborhoods where local people are trying to live. By the time the fire hit, nearly 90% of homes north of Kã'anapali were STRs. That's not tourism, it's displacement.
And phasing out STRs doesn't mean we're rejecting tourism. It means we're calling for it to return to the resort areas where it was always meant to be. The data shows that even with thousands of STRs removed, our occupancy rate is still projected to increase. Tourism can thrive and our people can have homes.
This also isn't about jobs. Most of these STRs don't employ local workers. They're often remote-managed, non-union, and disconnected from our local economy. Meanwhile, we have hundreds of open jobs in the County-jobs with benefits that our residents could fill if they had housing.
We've waited long enough. We've watched our communities hollow out while other places took action. It's time for Maui to stand up for its people and stop treating STRs like they're above regulation.
And please-I ask you to include no carve-outs or exemptions for timeshares. Every exception chips away at the solution.
Mahalo for your time and for standing with those of us who are still fighting to stay home.
Sincerely, Rochelle Coop
Vacation condos are not where families want to live. Parking is limited. Space is too small and there's no yards or play areas for the children.
My husband and I own property in the Kapalua Bay Villas, Kapalua Resort in Maui County. We are writing to express our strong opposition to the proposed short-term rental ban.
The Kapalua Resort is a master planned resort community. The Kapalua Bay, Ridge, and Golf Villas were 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 us, support the local Maui community. We frequent and recommend many local businesses and employ many local service providers, many of whom have become valued friends over the years. The proposed ordinance has already damaged tourism and negatively impacted the local community.
The Kapalua Bay Villas are not suitable for affordable family housing. The Villas are very expensive to buy. Annual maintenance is hugely expensive. Annual homeowners’ expenses can exceed tens of thousands of dollars. Insurance and taxes are very expensive. Our taxes have tripled since we purchased our property. Future building repairs will be very expensive in our over-45-year-old buildings. Kapalua Resort rules ban work vehicles, restrict parking, limit occupancy, prohibit pets, and have little to no storage space.
Multiple studies have shown that the proposed ordinance will have a very harmful impact on the Maui economy, particularly if a ban is overbroad and not carefully tailored to balance the need for affordable housing with the significant damage to tourism and the Maui economy, including its tax base. In balancing these considerations, the clear and obvious public interest requires exempting the Kapalua Resort from any short-term rental ban the County might adopt.
Please exclude the Kapalua Resort from any short-term rental ban you might recommend.
Mahalo for your time and careful consideration.
Sincerely,
Bruce and Jana Hall
Kapalua Bay Villas
Maui Council Written Testimony in opposition to Bill 9 for June 9th
Kevin and Fely Krewell, owners of a condo on the Minatoya list
Thank you for reading our testimony.
We listen to almost the entire testimony on June 25th, 2024 to the Maui Planning Committee and heard two distinct messages:
From those in favor of this measure to eliminate TVRs – Maui needs more housing now and eliminating the TVRs will dramatically increase the pool of units for long term rental or purchase. But most of testimony was about the loss of homelands and community on West Maui.
Those who spoke in opposition to the measure, expressed much sympathy with the Lahaina community and several provided details of how they have contributed to help the Lahaina Fire survivors. Many of the opponents are small businesses that need the TVRs to survive.
The Minatoya list has been in existence for decades. This contrasts with major cities such as New York and Barcelona whose TVRs only came about recently due to online services like AirBnB. The properties on the Minatoya list were built prior to AirBnB, some even predate the Internet. Trading STRs for possible long-term housing does not address the environmental impact of too much development. There needs to be a holistic study and plan for housing and development on Maui.
And let’s be clear: you are not voting to “convert” TVRs to long-term housing, you are just voting to eliminate TVRs – the use of the privately held units is still up to the owners and the housing market.
There’s no demonstratable proof that eliminating TVRs will significantly increase AFFORDABLE housing. Locals always had the opportunity to buy these properties in the past and chose not to. Why is it different now? Expenses are presently skyrocketing with higher insurance, maintenance, and taxes.
We own an STR unit on the Minatoya list, we spend almost half the year on Maui since we retired and the other half renting it out. Our unit rents at a fraction of the cost of a hotel and that allows tourists to spend additional money on local businesses – they are locked in to hotel services.
Because it’s our home on Maui, we will not offer it as a long-term rental and do not plan to sell it. If the proposal passes, we would not be able to rent it out, depriving local merchants of additional tourist dollars for short term renters and the Maui government of tax revenue. Many other TVR owners are in similar situations. The market value of these units will fall further and that will also deprive Maui of tax revenue.
The elimination of ALL units on the A1/A2 area of the Minatoya list is too radical, happening too quickly for Maui’s economy and STR owners to adjust.
Please consider this testimony and reject Bill 9. We consider Maui our home and want the best for all of Maui.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony.
Thank you, once again, for the opportunity to write and express my opinion on this very ill conceived idea to get rid of condo rentals on Molokai. In addition to the already stated reasons (more taxes collected on all fronts - property, GE from workers, as well as TAT), where are the LOCALS to stay for a funeral, graduation, etc? I'm sorry, Maui fire victims are not moving here in droves to rent a one bedroom condo on Molokai. I take care of many houses that used to be rentals (owners being petrified of renting due to county restrictions) and am amazed at how many locals ask me if they can rent, when they know they are illegal. The guest books in the condos are full of thank yous from the local who has moved to the mainland and is back for Uncle's funeral, etc, who, if this law goes through, will not be able to do that. This begs one question from Ms. Poepoe: Will you put these people up? Respectfully, Karen Larsen
Public Testimony: Opposition to Bill 9 – Mike and Joanne Pelfini
Maui County Council – Housing and Land Use Committee
Aloha Council Members,
We are Mike and Joanne Pelfini, the owners of a condominium in the Wailea Ekahi complex. We are writing to respectfully express our strong opposition to Bill 9, which would eliminate the legal right to operate transient vacation rentals in Minatoya properties, including ours.
Our unit has been responsibly operated under existing legal frameworks, and we believe Bill 9 unfairly targets compliant property owners while ignoring the broader contributions we make to the Maui community. We urge the Council to reconsider the long-term implications of this bill, for the following reasons:
Substantial Contribution to County Revenue
Short-term rental property owners like us contribute approximately 37% of Maui County’s total property tax revenue. These funds directly support essential public services, infrastructure, and community programs. Removing legally operating vacation rentals from the equation would have a significant fiscal impact on the County’s ability to meet its obligations.
Support for Local Employment and Business
Our property is managed by a locally owned Maui business that employs over 100 residents. The success of this business directly supports local jobs and keeps profits circulating within the Maui economy. Eliminating legal short-term rentals would undermine the economic viability of such employers.
Small Business Owners at Risk
Our housekeepers are independent small business owners, many of whom are residents who depend on vacation rental contracts for their livelihood. If Bill 9 passes, these hardworking professionals could lose a critical source of income.
Local Trade Network and Economic Ripple Effects
Vacation rentals like ours rely on local vendors—plumbers, electricians, maintenance workers, and contractors—to maintain and operate safely and professionally. These service providers form an essential part of the economic fabric of Maui and would suffer serious setbacks if legal STRs are shut down.
Direct Humanitarian Support for the Community
In the wake of the recent wildfires, we actively reached out to help displaced residents. We opened our home to a wildfire survivor family, providing free housing for a month until they were able to find a longer-term solution. This is just one example of the many ways responsible property owners can—and do—support Maui residents in times of need.
We recognize the urgent need to address Maui’s housing crisis, but we respectfully submit that Bill 9 is a blunt instrument that punishes legally operating property owners and undermines local jobs, revenue, and community resilience. We ask you to preserve the rights of Minatoya properties and pursue more balanced, evidence-based solutions that address housing challenges without destabilizing Maui's economy and workforce.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Mike and Joanne Pelfini
Owners, Wailea Ekahi Unit #5E
Hello Chair, Vice, Chair, and Committee Members. My name is Beth Hodges, and I own a short-term rental property in Maui County. I am writing today to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed legislation to phase out more than 7000 vacation rentals.
Many families coming to enjoy the special magic of the island of Maui would not be able to afford the trip if they had to rent multiple hotel rooms to hold their family members. The option of a short term rental,often with a kitchen, allows these families to experience Maui and still have additional money left over to enjoy Activities, food experiences, ecological trips, whale watching and other activities that employ many Maui citizens. We know many business owners and Maui citizens who are extremely worried about the passage of this bill hurting their businesses and their employment prospects. Every short term rental owner employees local service providers, such as cleaners, maintenance technicians, landscapers, and rental managers. All of these people would be unemployed without the work they do for properties like ours.
We have made multiple trips back to Maui since the fire and have also talked many times to friends and acquaintances who live and work on Maui full-time. Out of all of the people we have communicated with, almost 100% of these people feel that this legislation will negatively affect their lives if it goes through. They are the people living and working on Maui, and their voices should count.
This legislation feels rushed and one-sided. I urge the Council to work with Owners like us to find a fair and balanced path forward that protects local jobs, supports the economy, and holds short term rental owners to high standards, instead of phasing us out completely.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
Beth G Hodges
Greetings, Members of the Maui County Housing and Land Use Committee,
Thank you for allowing us to submit written testimony regarding Bill 9. We own a condominium on the Minatoya list and strongly oppose Bill 9, which would phase-out short-term rentals (STRs).
We are primarily concerned about the number of full-time jobs that would be lost by the employees supporting these STRs. At our 30-unit condominium complex, these people would undoubtedly lose their jobs if Bill 9 is approved:
1. Tammy Estrada, Reservation Booking Manager (FT)
2. Ricky Lew, Resident Maintenance Manager (FT)
3. Mariano Diego-Clarion, who owns and operates a housekeeping business, with four employees (FT)
4. Wyatt Loft, who owns and operated a garden service, with ten employees (FT)
5. Moy Sanchez, Handyman (PT)
6. Will Means, Handyman (PT)
All of these people are long-time, permanent Maui residents who depend on the income from their jobs, supporting and maintaining STRs, to support their families.
In addition, there are many contractors who would lose a significant volume of
business – painters for example.
There are 161 names on the Minatoya List (104 in Apartment Districts plus 57 in the non-Apartment Districts), so I calculate a minimum of 966 full-time job would be lost (calculated as 6 x 161). Perhaps as many as 2,737 (calculated as 17 x 161).
Immediately after the 2023 Wildfire, we invited the Diego-Clarion family to use our condominium, free of cost. Their home on Ainakea Place, was destroyed by the fire. This six-member family and their dog, stayed for four months, until they were able to find a larger rental house.
I have a couple of suggestions as alternatives to a complete STR ban:
1. Require all condominiums owner associations to request a change of zoning from STR to Hotel District if they wish to be exempted from Bill 9. The Maui County Planning Department has a formal application procedure for this action. We actually submitted our application two months ago; however, the Planning Department is holding our application until the County Council reaches a decision on Bill 9. If an applicant can satisfy the department’s criteria, then the Council should exempt those STRs from Bill 9. Incidentally, this is a good source of income for the County, as the fee for each application is $4,500. The fees collected could be used to fund affordable housing. You could increase the fee if you wish.
2. In Lahaina, designate all condominiums on the west side of Lower Honoapiilani Rd as a hotel district zone; and designate all condominiums on the east side of Lower Honoapiilani Rd as workforce housing.
Thank you for considering our testimony in opposition to Bill 9.
Mary and Tom Victorine
Makani Sands Condominiums
3565 Lower Honoapiilani Rd, Unit #110
Lahaina, HI 96761
TJMJV@PACBELL.NET