HLU-4 Bill 9 (2025) BILL 9 (2025), AMENDING CHAPTERS 19.12, 19.32, AND 19.37, MAUI COUNTY CODE, RELATING TO TRANSIENT VACATION RENTALS IN APARTMENT DISTRICTS (HLU-4)
Aloha Council Members,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to Bill 9 (2025) in its entirety. This bill threatens to dismantle long- established short-term rental
operations --including timeshares-- that have operated legally , supported Maui's economy , and employed local residents for decades.
The Economic impact would be devastating , As the Study done by the UH provided. I fully agree that there needs to be a solution for affordable
Housing , but I do not think that Bill 9 is that solution .
That said , I want to acknowledge and express my appreciation for the amendment included in the CD1 draft which would exempt validly existing timeshare units and timeshare plans from the phase-out. While I do not support this bill as a whole , I would urge you to retain this exemption at a minimum if this bill moves forward despite huge opposition to this Bill from Community .
I have been an owner at the Kuleana Club for 15 plus years . I come every year , and some times multiple times a year ,supporting local businesses , restaurants, and services provided on the Island. This is not a second home , or investment property , it is one week of shared ownerships , that has been rooted in the community for decades.
Because timeshare units are deeded one week at a time to many different owners , they could not be converted to long-term housing nor are they set up for long - term housing. Applying a phase-out of timeshares would do nothing to help with the problem of affordable housing, but it would cause serious harm to workers and small businesses that depend on the continued legal operation of these properties.
Many of our Family at the Kuleanna have been there for 25 or more years , and they where not exempt from losing there homes in the devastating fire that destroyed Life and property .Stripping away their jobs by the passing of this bill would be tragedy upon tragedy.
Again , I would urge you as a council to oppose Bill 9 in its entirety , But if you cannot see fit to oppose this Bill , I would respectfully request that the Council preserve the exemption for timeshare properties , so that we can continue to support Maui and its people as we have for generations.
Mahalo for your time and consideration ,
Blake Van Kampen
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Kuleanna timeshare owner , Unit 619 week 50
Subject: Testimony on Bill 9 (2025) – Oppose Bill Entirely; Support Timeshare Exemption if Passed
Aloha Council Members,
We are writing to express our strong opposition to Bill 9 (2025). This bill would eliminate long-standing, legally operating short-term rentals—including timeshare usage—that have contributed positively to Maui’s economy and community for decades.
We do appreciate the amendment in the current draft (CD1) that exempts validly existing timeshare units and timeshare plans from the phase-out. If the Council moves forward with Bill 9, we urge you to retain this exemption as a minimum safeguard to prevent serious harm to owners, workers, and the local economy.
Our family has been timeshare owners at the Kuleana Club for forty (40) years. Like many others, we only own two weeks per year—this is NOT a second home or an investment property. We return regularly and support local restaurants, spend at neighborhood shops, and have built lasting relationships on the island. Timeshare owners like us remain a part of a stable community of repeat visitors who care deeply about Maui’s well-being.
As you are likely aware, timeshare properties are fundamentally different from vacation rentals. Units are deeded one week at a time to hundreds of families, which makes them impossible to convert to long-term housing. Including timeshares in a short-term rental ban would not create housing—but it would devastate workers and remove a reliable source of local tax revenue. Properties like Kuleana Club operate legally under Maui County Code 19.37.010, and are fully compliant with TAT and GET tax regulations.
Timeshares also help to support stable jobs. Many employees at the Kuleana Club have been with the property for over 25 years. We are aware that several lost their homes in the Lahaina fire. If timeshare usage is eliminated, these long-standing staff members risk losing the only thing they have left—their livelihood.
Timeshare owners and resorts have also stepped up in times of crisis. The industry has contributed millions to wildfire recovery and donated thousands of room nights to displaced families and first responders. That commitment continues today.
In summary, we respectfully request you to oppose Bill 9 in its entirety, however, if it passes, we urge to you retain the CD1 amendment exempting timeshares. We believe that this exemption is a fair, balanced, and lawful solution that protects jobs, housing neutrality, and tax revenue—without compromising the County’s broader goals.
We are grateful for your time and consideration on this very important issue.
Sincerely,
Mark and Noreen Lerner
7127 E. Rancho Vista Drive #7001
Scottsdale, Arizona 85251
Kuleana Club Timeshare Owner – Unit B210, Weeks 38 & 39
Dear Charin Karma, Vice Chair U’u-Hodgins, and Members of the Housing and Land Committee,
I oppose Bill 9, as drafter and propose that the Council amend Bill 9 to exclude Papakea Oceanfront Resort which the county has historically identified as having A2-H2 zoning.
Papakea was initially marketd and sold to all of us as a legal rental vacation property before any zoning restrictions limited vacation rentals in apartment zone properties.
Papakea owners have been operating legal vacation rentals and have been part of the community for almost fifty years.
Papakea has never been considered a workforce housing area, and is not an example of a property that over time has converted from a workforce property to a transient vacation rental use.
Most of these properties units are under 600 square feet and would not solve the problem of muli-generational families living under one roof. Papakea is not a residential neighborhood and is nestled among a long stretch of hotel and resort zoned properties and directly next to multiple commercial zoned properties.
We purchased this condo at papakea over 30 years ago with the reasonable explanation that short term rentals we legal based on the ordinances as far back as 1989 and 2022.
Papakea employs full time local resident employees, they support a wide variety of local trade professionals including plumbing, landscaping, masonary, electrical, and painting. Papakea also supports the state of Hawaii with property taxes, transient accommodations tax, general excise tax, and Maui County Transient accommodations tax. Quests and owners are very supportive of all the local business, which would directly suffer if this goes into effect.
I would like to thank you for the right to comment on the situation,
Sincerely,
XGloria S. McFaul
Gloria S. McFaul
B304
June, 7, 2025
Maui County Council's Housing and Land Use Committee
200 South High Street
Wailuku, HI 96793
Dear Honorable Members of the HLU Committee,
We are writing to express our strong opposition to Bill 9, which aims to eliminate short-term rentals in Maui County.
As property owners we are concerned that this bill lacks a clear plan for how eliminating short-term rentals will increase available housing for Maui County residents. There are thousands of available properties on the market right now that have been legally operating as short-term rentals. However, these properties have not been purchased by residents or by Maui County for distribution, raising questions about exactly what the plan is to get residents in these units. It is ludicrous to expect that owners of private properties will simply hand over their property. This would be an infringement on private property rights.
The U.S. Constitution, particularly the Fourteenth Amendment and the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment, protects private property owners from government overreach. If the proposal involves taking private property for public use,please provide more information on the approach and legal mechanisms.
If eminent domain is being considered, it's crucial to follow proper procedures, including:
Providing a clear public purpose for taking the property
Conducting a thorough appraisal of the property's value
Offering just compensation to the property owner based on the appraisal
Providing an opportunity for the property owner to negotiate the sale
Following all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations
Given these concerns and constitutional protections, we need insight into the proposal's impact on private property owners like our family. Will the county use eminent domain, and if so, how will fair compensation and due process be ensured?
We urge you to reject Bill 9 and instead work towards finding more balanced solutions that address housing affordability without unfairly targeting short-term rental owners.
Aloha! My name is Mariella and my palala and I own a foodtruck. We usually station in the parking lot along Lower Honoapiilini in Lahaina. We wish to express opposition to this bill as it would not only devastate our business but most of the foodtrucks in that area. I would say 85% of all our customers stay in these STRs, most of the ones who stay in hotels only go to the restaurants in their own hotel. All of our customers are courteous, respectful and provide great tips (which is important to us since cost of the food alone is not even enough). Most of them support all of the local businesses, and show aloha to those who were affected by the fire and have business in that area.
Please oppose this bill and consider better options to provide affordable housing to us. This bill is NOT the be best or only way!
We oppose the elimination of short term rentals or units in the Minatoya List. We are owners of a single unit in one of the properties.
The elimination of these short term rentals will devastate the job market because they employ thousands of local people to clean and maintain. Our STR unit employs local residents and all essentials are source locally. The drop in income will play out in a drop in tax income for the county. Elimination of these STR units will drive up lodging costs and make Maui a less competitive vacation market.
Our resort condo building was never meant to be an individual long term rental. It was not designed that way and has never been operated that way. For example, the units do not have individual electric or water meters. Individual long term dwellings are not designed the way our unit is setup . A large part of the property is taken up by a reception lobby area. No such thing exists in long term housing complexes.
The current value of these units is based significantly on the right of owners to rent to vacationers. If this is eliminated values will immediately drop and not just to the level of other apartments because they don't adhere to modern apartment standards with respect to things like separated utilities and ample parking.
Current owners bought into these Maui units based on the fact they could be used for short term rentals during periods when owners are not staying to help pay for the high association fees, high maintenance cost and property taxes. Taking that away would be akin to telling the golf courses they could no longer host the game of golf. Unthinkable.
Many of the guests have said they wouldn't have come to Maui if there had not been short term vacation rentals like ours.
These properties are older and have a lot of maintenance costs including high AOAO fees and special assessments. These would drive up the required rent fees and price the properties out of the long term rental market.
Much of the economic impart this act would have on Maui is outlined in the report "State of Hawai‘i and Maui Economic and Fiscal Impacts of the Short-Term Rental Industry" by Kloninger & Sims Consulting LLC.
We understand there is a need for affordable housing for local people, but taking away from existing units that were never meant for this purpose is the wrong approach. The locals deserve new modern housing designed properly for individuals and families. Vacationers may not be as drawn to Maui if instead of a nice small beach front unit, they are forced to stay at an inland hotel.
It has not been easy to own and operate short term rentals for our unit, with maintenance costs, special assessments and massive increases for insurance after the fires. The elimination of short term rentals of Maui properties in the "Minatoya List" is just wrong and will be economically disastrous.
Please do not remove the right of Minatoya List units to operate as short term vacation rentals.
Aloha, Residents of Maui!
I speak for my family, who owns a condo at the Pikake. We have owned this since the late 70's. Many of us have honeymooned at our unit. Our children have had their first taste of the ocean here. Maui is magical, and we see why it needs to be managed carefully. We do short term rentals there, because otherwise, we could not afford the taxes, HOA and Insurance, which would mean that a long term renter would need to pay over 3000.00 per month without consideration of mortgage or profit. It is not possible to rent it long term for say, 2000-2500.00 per month. Our unit is on the Minotoya list. It is a two bedroom, 1.5 bath, but has one parking spot and minimal storage. It was built to be a vacation condo and it is unlikely it would be enough space for even a small family of 4. The loss of taxes we pay would also be a detriment for Maui's infrastructure. If this measure goes through, we would experience an unconstitutional taking of our property rights. I suspect that litigation would ensue from many property owners and I don't see anyone benefiting. I have noticed that while many builders have been asked to provide affordable housing when they build, they have elected instead to pay into an account which was to be used for affordable housing. I have not seen substantial results from that account. We believe that the County and residents would be better served by enforcing such ordinances and actually building quality affordable housing. We do not need to reduce tourism, but perhaps better manage it so that Hawaiians can enjoy the land and sea. Without the tourism, though, at least West Maui would be financially worse for locals than it is now, even with the tourist annoyances of noise, crowds, etc. Mahalo, Finley Gibbs
Keala Fung below me says that STRs consume high volumes of water but then argues that us locals should live in those places. Um we use water too. This is the problem with supporters' logic. Locals do no wrong but tourists only do wrong.
She argues that Lahaina became over developed, and points to these STRs are the problem, but wants us locals to live in them. Make up your mind. Or is it again locals do no wrong and locals only do right.
There is also the argument that oceanfront condos aren't pono, but then people claim that they used to be intended for locals to live in.
So many examples of doublespeak tells me these are unserious people.
I want affordable housing for our people and I want less water for empty mansions at launiupoko. But Lying and shapeshifting isn't pono and accusing STRs of things they aren't responsbile for is unHawaiian.
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Members of the Maui County Council,
I am writing as a concerned property owner in Maui to express my opposition to Bill 9 as proposed by Mayor Bissen. I fully recognize the urgency of Maui’s housing crisis and the desire to find solutions that prioritize local residents. However, I believe Bill 9, as currently drafted, will have significant unintended consequences for our island’s economy, property owners, and the broader community, without delivering the affordable housing outcomes we all seek.
Economic and Community Impacts
Independent analysis by the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO) projects that Bill 9 could result in the loss of nearly 1,900 local jobs, a $900 million annual drop in visitor spending, and a $60 million reduction in property tax revenue by 2029. These losses would directly impact funding for public services and future housing projects, undermining the very goals the bill seeks to achieve.
The real estate market is already reacting to the uncertainty created by this proposal. The median sales price for Maui condos has dropped nearly 25% year-over-year, and listings have surged by almost 70%. This destabilization threatens the financial security of thousands of local families, retirees, and small businesses who depend on rental income or property values.
Concerns About Housing Outcomes
Many of the affected vacation rental units are in aging complexes without the amenities, parking, or infrastructure needed for long-term residential use. Surveys indicate that only a small fraction of owners would convert their units to long-term rentals; most would be forced to sell or leave them vacant, which does not guarantee an increase in affordable housing.
The bill risks creating vacant properties and deteriorating condo associations, which could lead to further blight and economic hardship in our communities.
Property Rights and Fairness
Property owners have operated under long-standing county approvals and legal frameworks. Abruptly changing the rules threatens property rights and could result in costly legal challenges for the county.
The exemption for timeshares appears arbitrary and unfair, as both timeshares and vacation rentals serve visitors and often exist in the same complexes. This inconsistency further erodes trust in the process and the fairness of the legislation.
A Call for Balanced Solutions
I respectfully urge the Council to consider alternative approaches that address the housing crisis without causing collateral damage to Maui’s economy and property owners. Options such as tiered tax increases on short-term rentals, auctioning limited permits, or incentivizing voluntary conversion to long-term rentals could provide meaningful results while preserving economic stability.
Let’s work together to create policies that expand affordable housing, protect property rights, and sustain Maui’s unique community and economy for generations to come.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Stephanie Steimel
My name is Deb Mele-Blanchard. My late husband and I bought in Maui. We had planned on retiring on Maui. Unfortunately he passed away at Maui Memorial in 2023 and we were also victims to the Lahaina Fire. Affordable housing is not just a Maui problem, but an issue throughout the USA. The condos I own in Lahaina will not be affordable to a family to purchase and live in. The AOAO fees are close to $2000 a month and they also have leasehold fees on top of that. They were bought to rent short term to be able to cover the fees and I cannot imagine a family being able to afford a mortgage, AOAO fees and leasehold fees. The passing of this bill will cause serious impact on the island. The taxes STR’s pay for TAT/GET and real estate is significant and would negatively impact the revenue. With a significant decrease in revenue, the county will need to get revenue a different way, which would ultimately fall back on the residents. This bill would also negatively impact the economy of Maui. Tourism is the main revenue of Maui. It also is the main driver of income for the residents. Think of all the jobs lost and decreased with the passing of this bill. Cleaners, maintenance, real estate agents, property rental companies to name a few. Overall this bill is more of a negative impact on revenue and that would cause more stress on the residents of the island. You cannot decrease revenue this significantly and not replace it. Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts.
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Members of the Maui County Housing and Land Use Committee,
I’m writing in strong SUPPORT of Bill 9, which would phase out short-term rentals (STRs) in apartment-zoned districts. This bill is an essential component to addressing Maui’s housing crisis and protecting our most vital resource: water. As well as generational residents and residents.
The 2023 Lāhainā fire exposed long-standing issues—privatized water systems, diverted streams, and overdevelopment have pushed West Maui to the edge. STRs, originally meant for housing, now operate as commercial businesses, consuming high volumes of water while local families remain displaced. Maui prides itself on Lahaina and the identity and essence of Maui. Let's not forget that it is the residents that make Lahaina what it is, and it is the RESIDENTS that make Maui what it is.
Returning STRs to long-term housing helps protect water access, push back against inequality, and put community needs first. With over 6,000 STRs on the Minatoya List, we have a clear opportunity to increase housing stock without using more water.
I strongly urge you to stand with Lāhainā Strong, stand with the PEOPLE of Lahaina and Maui, and pass Bill 9.
Subject: Proposed Legislation Regarding Short Term Vacation Rentals on Maui
I am an owner of a condominium unit in Kapalua Ridge Villas since 1995. Being aware of the proposed action, and cognizant of studies that predict potential negative economic consequences that would impact every stakeholder in Maui, I urge your Commission to exclude Kapalua Ridge condominium units from any ordinance that bans short-term rentals.
For over 30 years, we have enjoyed all that Maui has to offer to visitors and part-time residents. In our case, we have family and friendships that bring us back to Maui several times per year. Our brother (45+ years small business owner), nephew (born & raised on Maui), and his young family continue to make Maui their home. Just as we have appreciated the relaxing, enjoyable Maui lifestyle, the owners and employees of restaurants, retail stores, sightseeing and cultural activities have benefited by being among the most popular vacation destinations.
Even the pending legislation has already resulted in radical disruption in all aspects of the economic environment. Friends and family, to whom we have recommended Maui lodging, dining, and sightseeing activities for years, now are reacting to a new negative reputation for Maui. Online and real world feedback is characterizing Maui as too expensive, less available by air, spotty service levels, and suffering an undercurrent of unfriendliness toward visitors.
The new Maui environment seems like the start of a domino effect. Increased hotel/ STVR nightly taxes just passed as new legislation. Higher property tax rates for Maui owners have entered into the county budget. Visitation rates are slowing. Employment reduction and reduced sales tax collection are likely to follow.
This disruption has been caused in the name of increasing the supply of long term rental units. The Kapalua Resort was never designed for long term rentals or workforce housing. It is optimized as a vacation destination. Factors include: Expensive Property & Casualty insurance, high annual Home Association (HOA) dues, high mandatory capital maintenance funding to address deferred repairs to roofing, premium landscape and pool maintenance, minimal parking spaces, and generally limited interior living space that is poorly suited for ongoing family living.
The equilibrium that existed before the Lahaina fire tragedy may not have been ideal. But it could be managed by incremental changes to financial factors, public sector investment, and more gradual rule changes. However, the proposed legislation is not gradual. This would be self-infliction of massive disruption. The unintended consequences could have drastic long-term negative outcomes: a spiral of reduced visitor rental, increased tax rates, and need for more social support services based on low employment.
Please urge the County of Maui leadership to limit the impact of this STVR legislation. Properties like Kapalua Ridge Villas are unsuited for long term apartment rental use and should be excluded from any STVR ban rulings.
I'm going to be blunt. You call lean left. Some way left. KRF you're a waste of skin. Molokai is a dump, our people there are some of the most impoverished, not only in the US, but objectively worldwide. You are a horrible actress but all you care about is making sure the hat you keep extended is continually filled with federal funds. How pathetic. It's shameful that you have any influence over the rest of the county considering what a dump you oversee.
To the rest of you, I respect every single one of you. You are smart, you are rational and you are genuine people looking to do what's best for our people. I was able to talk story with many of you during your election campaigns, and although I didn't always agree with some of the ways you hoped to achieve your goals, I mostly supported them. Water rights, climate change, affordable housing, manageable tourist numbers, HHL reform, etc.
I also know that you see Trump as an abomination. He consolidated power because nobody said no to him. Because he used his bully pulpit to make sure he was surrounded by only the most loyal. Those in his inter circle do not represent republicans, and do not represent America.
The same can be said of Lahaina Strong and their (diminishing) influence. If you continue to allow them to ascend the political system, and you allow the hotels who fund their operations to use them as a proxy in their fight for supremacy on the island, you will have allowed for the consolidation of power in a small group who does not represent our community.
Sometimes we need adults in the room. We need grown ups who can say no to the incessant whining of society's children.
Lahaina Strong has been wrong about everything, but continued their ascent because you were made to feel anti-Hawaii and anti-Hawaiian if you opposed them. There is nothing Hawaiian or pro-Hawaii in allowing hotel interests to dictate county policies. There is nothing Hawaiian in depriving someone of their livelihood under the LIE that it will benefit another.
My life on Maui has been one of struggle, but so it goes for the human condition. it's a struggle in Indonesia, in Japan, in Canada, in Germany. We need common sense solutions to a simple problem. Taking away short term rental right that THIS BODY ENSHRINED AS LAW isn't the cure. Housing needs to be made affordable by the government, and Lahaina Strong / hotel lobbyists need to be brought to heel. If they aren't then they will continue the march toward making Maui be Molokai. It won't happen overnight, but that is the goal.
We don't need to allow this irrational scapegoating of a class of property ownership under the false pretenses that they caused the housing shortage, that they have driven prices up, or that taking away their legal right to short term rent their property is the fix-all solution to all of our problems.
Council, you've been warned by 3 economic studies of the impact of this bill.
You've also been provided information regarding the very minimal improvement passage of this bill might yield.
A simple cost-benefit analysis would show that the costs far outweigh the benefits, so maybe you should consider a higher yield solution before dropping a nuclear bomb on Maui.
Dear Mayor, Council Members, Planning Director and Planning Commissioners,
After reading and listing to lots of the County’s previous videos and announcements, local press observations and individual comments one can easily see how this proposal is so emotionally charged on both sides. So, I’m not sure I can add much to the rhetoric already invited by the County or submitted by various impacted parties.
That being said, if you’re given new opportunities to enact significant change (Senate Bill 2919) it comes with a deep burden of impartiality. And, that burden also comes with the responsibility of imparting an unbiased sense of fairness to all parties involved. So, what constitutes fairness…it means to have an “impartial and just treatment or behavior without judgement or discrimination”.
My sincere opinion is that the proposed Bill 9, as written, doesn’t meet the fundamental and established standards of fairness when considering all members of the community, whether permanent or not . Therefore, I must respectfully ask that the deciding members of the Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee vote “no” on the proposed Bill 9.
Step back, give whatever additional time needed to finally make a lasting change without inadvertently damaging your various and valued Maui communities who cherish all that is Hawaii..
Responsibility submitted,
Michael Cooke
Kuleana Timeshare Owner - Unit 108 Weeks 18,19,20,21
Previous Hawaii worker, timeshare owner & frequent visitor for over 50 years.
We own a 2BR ocean front condo in Kihei in Kauhale Makai which is on the Minatoya list. It was built in the 70s and we have the original brochures from them selling to off island investors as a vacation property. Our monthly HOA fee is $1300. We have had assessments in the last 6 years of 10s of thousands of dollars to repair aging infrastructure. I do not understand how this property could ever provide affordable housing. Current appraised value is greater than 1 million dollars but even if the value crashes to half that, a 30 year mortgage with 6% interest on $500,000 is $3000 a month. So just mortgage and HOA for an 800 sq foot condo would be more than $4000 per month not including insurance and property tax.
So what is the county’s plan to make this unit affordable housing? I won’t give up my personal use of the property unless the long term rent pays my expenses. A Maui resident would need a very large income to afford such a mortgage at the same time you are slowing down the Maui economy by disincentivizing tourism. An outside investor is not going to buy a property that won’t cash flow so no one is going to buy this unit for long term rentals. Either my family will just use the property for us and our friends or we would sell it. But there isn’t anybody who is going to buy this that results in long term housing for Maui residents. We bought this property in 2020 in good faith with the blessing of the local government because we love Maui. We encourage all of our guests to shop locally. Our local management company employs hundreds of Maui residents with benefits and a fair wage.
Molokai is a quiet island without all the tourist activity that happens on Maui. Molokai should not be included in this bill. There is not any demand for one bedroom rentals from the local families and the loss of this income to the unit owners would impact the economy in a severely negative way. Molokai offers a unique destination and without the availability of some short term rentals their economy will suffer more. It is hard for the establishments to operate with the flow of tourists we have. Shutting off these properties would be devastating. Please do not do this to an island that already suffers from low incomes and needs the tourist flow they can handle. Take Molokai off this Bill. Thank you.
We are owners of a condo on the list we would be severely harmed by passage of this bill, believe local residents would also be severely harmed and that it would not actually solve for the need. We advocate for permanent low income status of low income units that are built vs converting them to the open market after a short period so there is a constant supply without tanking the economy and tourism of Maui
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Members of the Maui County Council,
I am writing as a concerned property owner in Maui to express my opposition to Bill 9 as proposed by Mayor Bissen. I fully recognize the urgency of Maui’s housing crisis and the desire to find solutions that prioritize local residents. However, I believe Bill 9, as currently drafted, will have significant unintended consequences for our island’s economy, property owners, and the broader community, without delivering the affordable housing outcomes we all seek.
Economic and Community Impacts
Independent analysis by the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO) projects that Bill 9 could result in the loss of nearly 1,900 local jobs, a $900 million annual drop in visitor spending, and a $60 million reduction in property tax revenue by 2029. These losses would directly impact funding for public services and future housing projects, undermining the very goals the bill seeks to achieve.
The real estate market is already reacting to the uncertainty created by this proposal. The median sales price for Maui condos has dropped nearly 25% year-over-year, and listings have surged by almost 70%. This destabilization threatens the financial security of thousands of local families, retirees, and small businesses who depend on rental income or property values.
Concerns About Housing Outcomes
Many of the affected vacation rental units are in aging complexes without the amenities, parking, or infrastructure needed for long-term residential use. Surveys indicate that only a small fraction of owners would convert their units to long-term rentals; most would be forced to sell or leave them vacant, which does not guarantee an increase in affordable housing.
The bill risks creating vacant properties and deteriorating condo associations, which could lead to further blight and economic hardship in our communities.
Property Rights and Fairness
Property owners have operated under long-standing county approvals and legal frameworks. Abruptly changing the rules threatens property rights and could result in costly legal challenges for the county.
The exemption for timeshares appears arbitrary and unfair, as both timeshares and vacation rentals serve visitors and often exist in the same complexes. This inconsistency further erodes trust in the process and the fairness of the legislation.
A Call for Balanced Solutions
I respectfully urge the Council to consider alternative approaches that address the housing crisis without causing collateral damage to Maui’s economy and property owners. Options such as tiered tax increases on short-term rentals, auctioning limited permits, or incentivizing voluntary conversion to long-term rentals could provide meaningful results while preserving economic stability.
Let’s work together to create policies that expand affordable housing, protect property rights, and sustain Maui’s unique community and economy for generations to come.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Dan Steimel
We are owners in Grand Champions, Unit #138, a development designed for vacation rental purposes and never intended for "workforce housing."
We oppose the proposed law to phase out transient rentals in over 6,000 units for several reasons. First of all, it amounts to a violation of the US Constitution's 5th amendment "takings clause", which maeks it illegal to take a right away from a property owner which was graanted when the property was purchased. Secondly, it would create a huge revenue decrease form property, TA, and GE taxes that the bill does not provide any plan for replacing. Thirdly, it would create a huge financial burden for local business owners whose revenue sources greatly are dependent on steady tourist activity. The result would be a significant loss of jobs for the local residents. Fouthly, there is no proof that local residents will want to live in small apartments, mostly with no yards, garages and minimal parking. After the wildfires, when FEMA offered somne of these units for frees, very few residents chose to accept the offer, especially in South Maui. Finally, it does not address the real problem: afordable work force housing. These apartments, as well as not providing the type of housing loca, residents seek, would still be too expensive for most residents to rent or purchase. HOA dues and property taxes have skyrocketed, which landlords would have to address in pricing of rents. The residents of Maui deserve additional communities in whcih to live, with housing, schools, parks and community activities they willl enjoy. This bill does nothing to address this need. I appreciate, in advance, your consideration and for you to vote against this bill that will only hurt Maui.
Aloha Council Members,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to Bill 9 (2025) in its entirety. This bill threatens to dismantle long- established short-term rental
operations --including timeshares-- that have operated legally , supported Maui's economy , and employed local residents for decades.
The Economic impact would be devastating , As the Study done by the UH provided. I fully agree that there needs to be a solution for affordable
Housing , but I do not think that Bill 9 is that solution .
That said , I want to acknowledge and express my appreciation for the amendment included in the CD1 draft which would exempt validly existing timeshare units and timeshare plans from the phase-out. While I do not support this bill as a whole , I would urge you to retain this exemption at a minimum if this bill moves forward despite huge opposition to this Bill from Community .
I have been an owner at the Kuleana Club for 15 plus years . I come every year , and some times multiple times a year ,supporting local businesses , restaurants, and services provided on the Island. This is not a second home , or investment property , it is one week of shared ownerships , that has been rooted in the community for decades.
Because timeshare units are deeded one week at a time to many different owners , they could not be converted to long-term housing nor are they set up for long - term housing. Applying a phase-out of timeshares would do nothing to help with the problem of affordable housing, but it would cause serious harm to workers and small businesses that depend on the continued legal operation of these properties.
Many of our Family at the Kuleanna have been there for 25 or more years , and they where not exempt from losing there homes in the devastating fire that destroyed Life and property .Stripping away their jobs by the passing of this bill would be tragedy upon tragedy.
Again , I would urge you as a council to oppose Bill 9 in its entirety , But if you cannot see fit to oppose this Bill , I would respectfully request that the Council preserve the exemption for timeshare properties , so that we can continue to support Maui and its people as we have for generations.
Mahalo for your time and consideration ,
Blake Van Kampen
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Kuleanna timeshare owner , Unit 619 week 50
This is a bad idea and will hurt more than help.
Subject: Testimony on Bill 9 (2025) – Oppose Bill Entirely; Support Timeshare Exemption if Passed
Aloha Council Members,
We are writing to express our strong opposition to Bill 9 (2025). This bill would eliminate long-standing, legally operating short-term rentals—including timeshare usage—that have contributed positively to Maui’s economy and community for decades.
We do appreciate the amendment in the current draft (CD1) that exempts validly existing timeshare units and timeshare plans from the phase-out. If the Council moves forward with Bill 9, we urge you to retain this exemption as a minimum safeguard to prevent serious harm to owners, workers, and the local economy.
Our family has been timeshare owners at the Kuleana Club for forty (40) years. Like many others, we only own two weeks per year—this is NOT a second home or an investment property. We return regularly and support local restaurants, spend at neighborhood shops, and have built lasting relationships on the island. Timeshare owners like us remain a part of a stable community of repeat visitors who care deeply about Maui’s well-being.
As you are likely aware, timeshare properties are fundamentally different from vacation rentals. Units are deeded one week at a time to hundreds of families, which makes them impossible to convert to long-term housing. Including timeshares in a short-term rental ban would not create housing—but it would devastate workers and remove a reliable source of local tax revenue. Properties like Kuleana Club operate legally under Maui County Code 19.37.010, and are fully compliant with TAT and GET tax regulations.
Timeshares also help to support stable jobs. Many employees at the Kuleana Club have been with the property for over 25 years. We are aware that several lost their homes in the Lahaina fire. If timeshare usage is eliminated, these long-standing staff members risk losing the only thing they have left—their livelihood.
Timeshare owners and resorts have also stepped up in times of crisis. The industry has contributed millions to wildfire recovery and donated thousands of room nights to displaced families and first responders. That commitment continues today.
In summary, we respectfully request you to oppose Bill 9 in its entirety, however, if it passes, we urge to you retain the CD1 amendment exempting timeshares. We believe that this exemption is a fair, balanced, and lawful solution that protects jobs, housing neutrality, and tax revenue—without compromising the County’s broader goals.
We are grateful for your time and consideration on this very important issue.
Sincerely,
Mark and Noreen Lerner
7127 E. Rancho Vista Drive #7001
Scottsdale, Arizona 85251
Kuleana Club Timeshare Owner – Unit B210, Weeks 38 & 39
June 6, 2025
Dear Charin Karma, Vice Chair U’u-Hodgins, and Members of the Housing and Land Committee,
I oppose Bill 9, as drafter and propose that the Council amend Bill 9 to exclude Papakea Oceanfront Resort which the county has historically identified as having A2-H2 zoning.
Papakea was initially marketd and sold to all of us as a legal rental vacation property before any zoning restrictions limited vacation rentals in apartment zone properties.
Papakea owners have been operating legal vacation rentals and have been part of the community for almost fifty years.
Papakea has never been considered a workforce housing area, and is not an example of a property that over time has converted from a workforce property to a transient vacation rental use.
Most of these properties units are under 600 square feet and would not solve the problem of muli-generational families living under one roof. Papakea is not a residential neighborhood and is nestled among a long stretch of hotel and resort zoned properties and directly next to multiple commercial zoned properties.
We purchased this condo at papakea over 30 years ago with the reasonable explanation that short term rentals we legal based on the ordinances as far back as 1989 and 2022.
Papakea employs full time local resident employees, they support a wide variety of local trade professionals including plumbing, landscaping, masonary, electrical, and painting. Papakea also supports the state of Hawaii with property taxes, transient accommodations tax, general excise tax, and Maui County Transient accommodations tax. Quests and owners are very supportive of all the local business, which would directly suffer if this goes into effect.
I would like to thank you for the right to comment on the situation,
Sincerely,
XGloria S. McFaul
Gloria S. McFaul
B304
June, 7, 2025
Maui County Council's Housing and Land Use Committee
200 South High Street
Wailuku, HI 96793
Dear Honorable Members of the HLU Committee,
We are writing to express our strong opposition to Bill 9, which aims to eliminate short-term rentals in Maui County.
As property owners we are concerned that this bill lacks a clear plan for how eliminating short-term rentals will increase available housing for Maui County residents. There are thousands of available properties on the market right now that have been legally operating as short-term rentals. However, these properties have not been purchased by residents or by Maui County for distribution, raising questions about exactly what the plan is to get residents in these units. It is ludicrous to expect that owners of private properties will simply hand over their property. This would be an infringement on private property rights.
The U.S. Constitution, particularly the Fourteenth Amendment and the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment, protects private property owners from government overreach. If the proposal involves taking private property for public use,please provide more information on the approach and legal mechanisms.
If eminent domain is being considered, it's crucial to follow proper procedures, including:
Providing a clear public purpose for taking the property
Conducting a thorough appraisal of the property's value
Offering just compensation to the property owner based on the appraisal
Providing an opportunity for the property owner to negotiate the sale
Following all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations
Given these concerns and constitutional protections, we need insight into the proposal's impact on private property owners like our family. Will the county use eminent domain, and if so, how will fair compensation and due process be ensured?
We urge you to reject Bill 9 and instead work towards finding more balanced solutions that address housing affordability without unfairly targeting short-term rental owners.
Sincerely,
Dawn and David Mason
Aloha! My name is Mariella and my palala and I own a foodtruck. We usually station in the parking lot along Lower Honoapiilini in Lahaina. We wish to express opposition to this bill as it would not only devastate our business but most of the foodtrucks in that area. I would say 85% of all our customers stay in these STRs, most of the ones who stay in hotels only go to the restaurants in their own hotel. All of our customers are courteous, respectful and provide great tips (which is important to us since cost of the food alone is not even enough). Most of them support all of the local businesses, and show aloha to those who were affected by the fire and have business in that area.
Please oppose this bill and consider better options to provide affordable housing to us. This bill is NOT the be best or only way!
Aloha,
We oppose the elimination of short term rentals or units in the Minatoya List. We are owners of a single unit in one of the properties.
The elimination of these short term rentals will devastate the job market because they employ thousands of local people to clean and maintain. Our STR unit employs local residents and all essentials are source locally. The drop in income will play out in a drop in tax income for the county. Elimination of these STR units will drive up lodging costs and make Maui a less competitive vacation market.
Our resort condo building was never meant to be an individual long term rental. It was not designed that way and has never been operated that way. For example, the units do not have individual electric or water meters. Individual long term dwellings are not designed the way our unit is setup . A large part of the property is taken up by a reception lobby area. No such thing exists in long term housing complexes.
The current value of these units is based significantly on the right of owners to rent to vacationers. If this is eliminated values will immediately drop and not just to the level of other apartments because they don't adhere to modern apartment standards with respect to things like separated utilities and ample parking.
Current owners bought into these Maui units based on the fact they could be used for short term rentals during periods when owners are not staying to help pay for the high association fees, high maintenance cost and property taxes. Taking that away would be akin to telling the golf courses they could no longer host the game of golf. Unthinkable.
Many of the guests have said they wouldn't have come to Maui if there had not been short term vacation rentals like ours.
These properties are older and have a lot of maintenance costs including high AOAO fees and special assessments. These would drive up the required rent fees and price the properties out of the long term rental market.
Much of the economic impart this act would have on Maui is outlined in the report "State of Hawai‘i and Maui Economic and Fiscal Impacts of the Short-Term Rental Industry" by Kloninger & Sims Consulting LLC.
We understand there is a need for affordable housing for local people, but taking away from existing units that were never meant for this purpose is the wrong approach. The locals deserve new modern housing designed properly for individuals and families. Vacationers may not be as drawn to Maui if instead of a nice small beach front unit, they are forced to stay at an inland hotel.
It has not been easy to own and operate short term rentals for our unit, with maintenance costs, special assessments and massive increases for insurance after the fires. The elimination of short term rentals of Maui properties in the "Minatoya List" is just wrong and will be economically disastrous.
Please do not remove the right of Minatoya List units to operate as short term vacation rentals.
Aloha, Residents of Maui!
I speak for my family, who owns a condo at the Pikake. We have owned this since the late 70's. Many of us have honeymooned at our unit. Our children have had their first taste of the ocean here. Maui is magical, and we see why it needs to be managed carefully. We do short term rentals there, because otherwise, we could not afford the taxes, HOA and Insurance, which would mean that a long term renter would need to pay over 3000.00 per month without consideration of mortgage or profit. It is not possible to rent it long term for say, 2000-2500.00 per month. Our unit is on the Minotoya list. It is a two bedroom, 1.5 bath, but has one parking spot and minimal storage. It was built to be a vacation condo and it is unlikely it would be enough space for even a small family of 4. The loss of taxes we pay would also be a detriment for Maui's infrastructure. If this measure goes through, we would experience an unconstitutional taking of our property rights. I suspect that litigation would ensue from many property owners and I don't see anyone benefiting. I have noticed that while many builders have been asked to provide affordable housing when they build, they have elected instead to pay into an account which was to be used for affordable housing. I have not seen substantial results from that account. We believe that the County and residents would be better served by enforcing such ordinances and actually building quality affordable housing. We do not need to reduce tourism, but perhaps better manage it so that Hawaiians can enjoy the land and sea. Without the tourism, though, at least West Maui would be financially worse for locals than it is now, even with the tourist annoyances of noise, crowds, etc. Mahalo, Finley Gibbs
Aloha Council,
Keala Fung below me says that STRs consume high volumes of water but then argues that us locals should live in those places. Um we use water too. This is the problem with supporters' logic. Locals do no wrong but tourists only do wrong.
She argues that Lahaina became over developed, and points to these STRs are the problem, but wants us locals to live in them. Make up your mind. Or is it again locals do no wrong and locals only do right.
There is also the argument that oceanfront condos aren't pono, but then people claim that they used to be intended for locals to live in.
So many examples of doublespeak tells me these are unserious people.
I want affordable housing for our people and I want less water for empty mansions at launiupoko. But Lying and shapeshifting isn't pono and accusing STRs of things they aren't responsbile for is unHawaiian.
Mahalo Daniel Kalilimoku
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Members of the Maui County Council,
I am writing as a concerned property owner in Maui to express my opposition to Bill 9 as proposed by Mayor Bissen. I fully recognize the urgency of Maui’s housing crisis and the desire to find solutions that prioritize local residents. However, I believe Bill 9, as currently drafted, will have significant unintended consequences for our island’s economy, property owners, and the broader community, without delivering the affordable housing outcomes we all seek.
Economic and Community Impacts
Independent analysis by the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO) projects that Bill 9 could result in the loss of nearly 1,900 local jobs, a $900 million annual drop in visitor spending, and a $60 million reduction in property tax revenue by 2029. These losses would directly impact funding for public services and future housing projects, undermining the very goals the bill seeks to achieve.
The real estate market is already reacting to the uncertainty created by this proposal. The median sales price for Maui condos has dropped nearly 25% year-over-year, and listings have surged by almost 70%. This destabilization threatens the financial security of thousands of local families, retirees, and small businesses who depend on rental income or property values.
Concerns About Housing Outcomes
Many of the affected vacation rental units are in aging complexes without the amenities, parking, or infrastructure needed for long-term residential use. Surveys indicate that only a small fraction of owners would convert their units to long-term rentals; most would be forced to sell or leave them vacant, which does not guarantee an increase in affordable housing.
The bill risks creating vacant properties and deteriorating condo associations, which could lead to further blight and economic hardship in our communities.
Property Rights and Fairness
Property owners have operated under long-standing county approvals and legal frameworks. Abruptly changing the rules threatens property rights and could result in costly legal challenges for the county.
The exemption for timeshares appears arbitrary and unfair, as both timeshares and vacation rentals serve visitors and often exist in the same complexes. This inconsistency further erodes trust in the process and the fairness of the legislation.
A Call for Balanced Solutions
I respectfully urge the Council to consider alternative approaches that address the housing crisis without causing collateral damage to Maui’s economy and property owners. Options such as tiered tax increases on short-term rentals, auctioning limited permits, or incentivizing voluntary conversion to long-term rentals could provide meaningful results while preserving economic stability.
Let’s work together to create policies that expand affordable housing, protect property rights, and sustain Maui’s unique community and economy for generations to come.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Stephanie Steimel
Aloha;
My name is Deb Mele-Blanchard. My late husband and I bought in Maui. We had planned on retiring on Maui. Unfortunately he passed away at Maui Memorial in 2023 and we were also victims to the Lahaina Fire. Affordable housing is not just a Maui problem, but an issue throughout the USA. The condos I own in Lahaina will not be affordable to a family to purchase and live in. The AOAO fees are close to $2000 a month and they also have leasehold fees on top of that. They were bought to rent short term to be able to cover the fees and I cannot imagine a family being able to afford a mortgage, AOAO fees and leasehold fees. The passing of this bill will cause serious impact on the island. The taxes STR’s pay for TAT/GET and real estate is significant and would negatively impact the revenue. With a significant decrease in revenue, the county will need to get revenue a different way, which would ultimately fall back on the residents. This bill would also negatively impact the economy of Maui. Tourism is the main revenue of Maui. It also is the main driver of income for the residents. Think of all the jobs lost and decreased with the passing of this bill. Cleaners, maintenance, real estate agents, property rental companies to name a few. Overall this bill is more of a negative impact on revenue and that would cause more stress on the residents of the island. You cannot decrease revenue this significantly and not replace it. Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts.
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Members of the Maui County Housing and Land Use Committee,
I’m writing in strong SUPPORT of Bill 9, which would phase out short-term rentals (STRs) in apartment-zoned districts. This bill is an essential component to addressing Maui’s housing crisis and protecting our most vital resource: water. As well as generational residents and residents.
The 2023 Lāhainā fire exposed long-standing issues—privatized water systems, diverted streams, and overdevelopment have pushed West Maui to the edge. STRs, originally meant for housing, now operate as commercial businesses, consuming high volumes of water while local families remain displaced. Maui prides itself on Lahaina and the identity and essence of Maui. Let's not forget that it is the residents that make Lahaina what it is, and it is the RESIDENTS that make Maui what it is.
Returning STRs to long-term housing helps protect water access, push back against inequality, and put community needs first. With over 6,000 STRs on the Minatoya List, we have a clear opportunity to increase housing stock without using more water.
I strongly urge you to stand with Lāhainā Strong, stand with the PEOPLE of Lahaina and Maui, and pass Bill 9.
Ola i ka Wai — Water is Life.
Mahalo for your time,
Keala Fung
Memo to the Maui Planning Commission June 6, 2025
Subject: Proposed Legislation Regarding Short Term Vacation Rentals on Maui
I am an owner of a condominium unit in Kapalua Ridge Villas since 1995. Being aware of the proposed action, and cognizant of studies that predict potential negative economic consequences that would impact every stakeholder in Maui, I urge your Commission to exclude Kapalua Ridge condominium units from any ordinance that bans short-term rentals.
For over 30 years, we have enjoyed all that Maui has to offer to visitors and part-time residents. In our case, we have family and friendships that bring us back to Maui several times per year. Our brother (45+ years small business owner), nephew (born & raised on Maui), and his young family continue to make Maui their home. Just as we have appreciated the relaxing, enjoyable Maui lifestyle, the owners and employees of restaurants, retail stores, sightseeing and cultural activities have benefited by being among the most popular vacation destinations.
Even the pending legislation has already resulted in radical disruption in all aspects of the economic environment. Friends and family, to whom we have recommended Maui lodging, dining, and sightseeing activities for years, now are reacting to a new negative reputation for Maui. Online and real world feedback is characterizing Maui as too expensive, less available by air, spotty service levels, and suffering an undercurrent of unfriendliness toward visitors.
The new Maui environment seems like the start of a domino effect. Increased hotel/ STVR nightly taxes just passed as new legislation. Higher property tax rates for Maui owners have entered into the county budget. Visitation rates are slowing. Employment reduction and reduced sales tax collection are likely to follow.
This disruption has been caused in the name of increasing the supply of long term rental units. The Kapalua Resort was never designed for long term rentals or workforce housing. It is optimized as a vacation destination. Factors include: Expensive Property & Casualty insurance, high annual Home Association (HOA) dues, high mandatory capital maintenance funding to address deferred repairs to roofing, premium landscape and pool maintenance, minimal parking spaces, and generally limited interior living space that is poorly suited for ongoing family living.
The equilibrium that existed before the Lahaina fire tragedy may not have been ideal. But it could be managed by incremental changes to financial factors, public sector investment, and more gradual rule changes. However, the proposed legislation is not gradual. This would be self-infliction of massive disruption. The unintended consequences could have drastic long-term negative outcomes: a spiral of reduced visitor rental, increased tax rates, and need for more social support services based on low employment.
Please urge the County of Maui leadership to limit the impact of this STVR legislation. Properties like Kapalua Ridge Villas are unsuited for long term apartment rental use and should be excluded from any STVR ban rulings.
James L. McGlothlin
Kapalua Ridge Villa #823
Aloha Members of the HLU and Maui County Council,
I'm going to be blunt. You call lean left. Some way left. KRF you're a waste of skin. Molokai is a dump, our people there are some of the most impoverished, not only in the US, but objectively worldwide. You are a horrible actress but all you care about is making sure the hat you keep extended is continually filled with federal funds. How pathetic. It's shameful that you have any influence over the rest of the county considering what a dump you oversee.
To the rest of you, I respect every single one of you. You are smart, you are rational and you are genuine people looking to do what's best for our people. I was able to talk story with many of you during your election campaigns, and although I didn't always agree with some of the ways you hoped to achieve your goals, I mostly supported them. Water rights, climate change, affordable housing, manageable tourist numbers, HHL reform, etc.
I also know that you see Trump as an abomination. He consolidated power because nobody said no to him. Because he used his bully pulpit to make sure he was surrounded by only the most loyal. Those in his inter circle do not represent republicans, and do not represent America.
The same can be said of Lahaina Strong and their (diminishing) influence. If you continue to allow them to ascend the political system, and you allow the hotels who fund their operations to use them as a proxy in their fight for supremacy on the island, you will have allowed for the consolidation of power in a small group who does not represent our community.
Sometimes we need adults in the room. We need grown ups who can say no to the incessant whining of society's children.
Lahaina Strong has been wrong about everything, but continued their ascent because you were made to feel anti-Hawaii and anti-Hawaiian if you opposed them. There is nothing Hawaiian or pro-Hawaii in allowing hotel interests to dictate county policies. There is nothing Hawaiian in depriving someone of their livelihood under the LIE that it will benefit another.
My life on Maui has been one of struggle, but so it goes for the human condition. it's a struggle in Indonesia, in Japan, in Canada, in Germany. We need common sense solutions to a simple problem. Taking away short term rental right that THIS BODY ENSHRINED AS LAW isn't the cure. Housing needs to be made affordable by the government, and Lahaina Strong / hotel lobbyists need to be brought to heel. If they aren't then they will continue the march toward making Maui be Molokai. It won't happen overnight, but that is the goal.
We don't need to allow this irrational scapegoating of a class of property ownership under the false pretenses that they caused the housing shortage, that they have driven prices up, or that taking away their legal right to short term rent their property is the fix-all solution to all of our problems.
Council, you've been warned by 3 economic studies of the impact of this bill.
You've also been provided information regarding the very minimal improvement passage of this bill might yield.
A simple cost-benefit analysis would show that the costs far outweigh the benefits, so maybe you should consider a higher yield solution before dropping a nuclear bomb on Maui.
Dear Mayor, Council Members, Planning Director and Planning Commissioners,
After reading and listing to lots of the County’s previous videos and announcements, local press observations and individual comments one can easily see how this proposal is so emotionally charged on both sides. So, I’m not sure I can add much to the rhetoric already invited by the County or submitted by various impacted parties.
That being said, if you’re given new opportunities to enact significant change (Senate Bill 2919) it comes with a deep burden of impartiality. And, that burden also comes with the responsibility of imparting an unbiased sense of fairness to all parties involved. So, what constitutes fairness…it means to have an “impartial and just treatment or behavior without judgement or discrimination”.
My sincere opinion is that the proposed Bill 9, as written, doesn’t meet the fundamental and established standards of fairness when considering all members of the community, whether permanent or not . Therefore, I must respectfully ask that the deciding members of the Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee vote “no” on the proposed Bill 9.
Step back, give whatever additional time needed to finally make a lasting change without inadvertently damaging your various and valued Maui communities who cherish all that is Hawaii..
Responsibility submitted,
Michael Cooke
Kuleana Timeshare Owner - Unit 108 Weeks 18,19,20,21
Previous Hawaii worker, timeshare owner & frequent visitor for over 50 years.
We own a 2BR ocean front condo in Kihei in Kauhale Makai which is on the Minatoya list. It was built in the 70s and we have the original brochures from them selling to off island investors as a vacation property. Our monthly HOA fee is $1300. We have had assessments in the last 6 years of 10s of thousands of dollars to repair aging infrastructure. I do not understand how this property could ever provide affordable housing. Current appraised value is greater than 1 million dollars but even if the value crashes to half that, a 30 year mortgage with 6% interest on $500,000 is $3000 a month. So just mortgage and HOA for an 800 sq foot condo would be more than $4000 per month not including insurance and property tax.
So what is the county’s plan to make this unit affordable housing? I won’t give up my personal use of the property unless the long term rent pays my expenses. A Maui resident would need a very large income to afford such a mortgage at the same time you are slowing down the Maui economy by disincentivizing tourism. An outside investor is not going to buy a property that won’t cash flow so no one is going to buy this unit for long term rentals. Either my family will just use the property for us and our friends or we would sell it. But there isn’t anybody who is going to buy this that results in long term housing for Maui residents. We bought this property in 2020 in good faith with the blessing of the local government because we love Maui. We encourage all of our guests to shop locally. Our local management company employs hundreds of Maui residents with benefits and a fair wage.
Molokai is a quiet island without all the tourist activity that happens on Maui. Molokai should not be included in this bill. There is not any demand for one bedroom rentals from the local families and the loss of this income to the unit owners would impact the economy in a severely negative way. Molokai offers a unique destination and without the availability of some short term rentals their economy will suffer more. It is hard for the establishments to operate with the flow of tourists we have. Shutting off these properties would be devastating. Please do not do this to an island that already suffers from low incomes and needs the tourist flow they can handle. Take Molokai off this Bill. Thank you.
We are owners of a condo on the list we would be severely harmed by passage of this bill, believe local residents would also be severely harmed and that it would not actually solve for the need. We advocate for permanent low income status of low income units that are built vs converting them to the open market after a short period so there is a constant supply without tanking the economy and tourism of Maui
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Members of the Maui County Council,
I am writing as a concerned property owner in Maui to express my opposition to Bill 9 as proposed by Mayor Bissen. I fully recognize the urgency of Maui’s housing crisis and the desire to find solutions that prioritize local residents. However, I believe Bill 9, as currently drafted, will have significant unintended consequences for our island’s economy, property owners, and the broader community, without delivering the affordable housing outcomes we all seek.
Economic and Community Impacts
Independent analysis by the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO) projects that Bill 9 could result in the loss of nearly 1,900 local jobs, a $900 million annual drop in visitor spending, and a $60 million reduction in property tax revenue by 2029. These losses would directly impact funding for public services and future housing projects, undermining the very goals the bill seeks to achieve.
The real estate market is already reacting to the uncertainty created by this proposal. The median sales price for Maui condos has dropped nearly 25% year-over-year, and listings have surged by almost 70%. This destabilization threatens the financial security of thousands of local families, retirees, and small businesses who depend on rental income or property values.
Concerns About Housing Outcomes
Many of the affected vacation rental units are in aging complexes without the amenities, parking, or infrastructure needed for long-term residential use. Surveys indicate that only a small fraction of owners would convert their units to long-term rentals; most would be forced to sell or leave them vacant, which does not guarantee an increase in affordable housing.
The bill risks creating vacant properties and deteriorating condo associations, which could lead to further blight and economic hardship in our communities.
Property Rights and Fairness
Property owners have operated under long-standing county approvals and legal frameworks. Abruptly changing the rules threatens property rights and could result in costly legal challenges for the county.
The exemption for timeshares appears arbitrary and unfair, as both timeshares and vacation rentals serve visitors and often exist in the same complexes. This inconsistency further erodes trust in the process and the fairness of the legislation.
A Call for Balanced Solutions
I respectfully urge the Council to consider alternative approaches that address the housing crisis without causing collateral damage to Maui’s economy and property owners. Options such as tiered tax increases on short-term rentals, auctioning limited permits, or incentivizing voluntary conversion to long-term rentals could provide meaningful results while preserving economic stability.
Let’s work together to create policies that expand affordable housing, protect property rights, and sustain Maui’s unique community and economy for generations to come.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Dan Steimel
We are owners in Grand Champions, Unit #138, a development designed for vacation rental purposes and never intended for "workforce housing."
We oppose the proposed law to phase out transient rentals in over 6,000 units for several reasons. First of all, it amounts to a violation of the US Constitution's 5th amendment "takings clause", which maeks it illegal to take a right away from a property owner which was graanted when the property was purchased. Secondly, it would create a huge revenue decrease form property, TA, and GE taxes that the bill does not provide any plan for replacing. Thirdly, it would create a huge financial burden for local business owners whose revenue sources greatly are dependent on steady tourist activity. The result would be a significant loss of jobs for the local residents. Fouthly, there is no proof that local residents will want to live in small apartments, mostly with no yards, garages and minimal parking. After the wildfires, when FEMA offered somne of these units for frees, very few residents chose to accept the offer, especially in South Maui. Finally, it does not address the real problem: afordable work force housing. These apartments, as well as not providing the type of housing loca, residents seek, would still be too expensive for most residents to rent or purchase. HOA dues and property taxes have skyrocketed, which landlords would have to address in pricing of rents. The residents of Maui deserve additional communities in whcih to live, with housing, schools, parks and community activities they willl enjoy. This bill does nothing to address this need. I appreciate, in advance, your consideration and for you to vote against this bill that will only hurt Maui.