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 Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members,
We are retired farmers from Hood River County, Oregon. In 2017 after selling our pear orchard which we had farmed for 20+ years, we invested in a beautiful condo at Maui Kamaole as a short-term rental property as a way to defer the capital gains tax on the sale of our livelihood. Our property was a business investment with a 1031 IRS. So, we are not those wealthy folks who happen to own a second home in Maui. No, the income we derive from our condo is a part of our retirement savings. We are writing today to express our deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed legislation to phase out more than 7,000 vacation rentals. We have worked hard to be responsible and community-oriented owners. We have generously contributed to the local charities of Maui. We recommend local restaurants and tour guides in our welcome guide. We employ many local service providers — cleaners, maintenance people, and landscapers — many of whom have become like family over the years. Our guests often leave Maui saying they felt more connected to the island because of the personal experience they had staying in our condo. Many of these families, especially those with young children, would not have come at all if they didn’t have a vacation rental option. They require flexible sleeping spaces and the ability to prepare meals at odd hours, not high priced hotel rooms. And if Maui cannot provide these family friendly options, believe me, there are other locations world wide for them to visit ~ Mexico, Florida, the Caribbean, to name just a few. This matters — not just to us, but to all the small businesses they support during their stays.Owning in this condo has not been financially easy. In fact, we have faced higher maintenance costs, special assessments, and massive increases in insurance after the fires. In 2024 our condo association insurance jumped from $140,000 to $1.25 million, making our individual additional assessment $3800 for that one year alone! We're hoping for a slightly less amount in the future but of course there are no guarantees. However our taxes have jumped from $7500 in 2018, ($10800 ~ 2023) ($16860 ~ 2024) to a whopping $20,680 in 2025! While the rate of those increases is definitely not sustainable, it is our property taxes that overwhelmingly support this county's fiscal budget. How would the conversion to long term rentals sustain the current budget? In closing, our Maui Kamaole Resort was not built to house local families. There is one parking space per unit. There is literally no storage space for a local family's possessions and pets are NOT allowed! Instead, there should be a massive effort on YOUR PART to get housing built for these local families, not deny the investment we all made in the County of Maui eight years ago. It is totally unfair and likely to be held up in court for years, costing the County millions of dollars more. The ball is in your court, folks.Mahalo,Sara and Larry Martin, owners Maui Kamaole I-216
My name is Ilima-Lei Macfarlane. I’m from Nuʻuanu Valley on the island of Oʻahu and currently reside in San Diego County.
At first glance, you may be wondering what this Oʻahu girl is doing testifying on a Maui issue—especially one that doesn’t directly pertain to her. And I wouldn’t blame you. Like many kānaka in the diaspora, I now live far from the ʻāina that raised me. But my connection to Maui runs deep.
During the devastating wildfires, I witnessed firsthand the compounding trauma caused not just by the flames, but by the housing crisis that followed. I did what I could from afar to support emergency relief efforts, but what became undeniably clear to me was this: the crisis in Maui’s housing isn’t simply a byproduct of natural disaster—it is a result of long-standing systems of displacement rooted in settler colonialism.
As I continued to learn, I discovered that my own moʻokūʻauhau traces back to East Maui—from Haʻikū through Hāna. That discovery shifted everything for me. I realized I have a kuleana to this ʻāina—one that runs deeper than any vacation home owner or transplant resident who disguises their land acquisition under the terms of “hard work," “retirement dream,” “employer", or "my rights.”
And you, members of this Committee, carry kuleana too. Not to profit. Not to those who see Hawaiʻi as a commodity or a place to retire. But to the people of this land—your people—who deserve protection, housing, and the ability to remain rooted in their ancestral home. That kuleana must outweigh any allegiance to wealth or outside interests.
For these reasons, I strongly support Bill 9. It is a necessary and overdue step to protect our lāhui and ensure that our people—not investors or people who have no kuleana here—are prioritized.
Mahalo for your time and for standing for the people of Hawai'i.
Dear Maui County Council Housing and Land Use Committee, Mayor Bissen
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed ban on short-term rentals currently protected under the Minatoya List.
As a responsible short-term rental (STR) FT owner. I have followed the rules, paid my taxes, and invested deeply in my property and in the Maui Community. The Minatoya List has provided a legal, stable framework for over 23 years, and many of us have built our livelihoods around it. To dismantle it now-without viable alternatives-would unfairly punish those of us who have acted in good faith and contributed to the local economy.
I fully recognize the urgent need for affordable housing on Maui. But banning legal STRs is not a sustainable or effective solution.
Instead of destroying the livelihood of local property owners, I urge you to consider alternative strategies such as:
Incentivizing the development of truly affordable housing,
Repurposing underutilizing or vacant properties
Partnering with the private sector to create housing that meets workforce needs
We need thoughtful, balanced policies-not sweeping bans that harm individuals, families and small business owners who are part of the fabric of this island.
Please do not take away the rights and stability that the Minatoya List has long provided. Let's work toward solutions that preserve both community housing & community livelihoods.
Blessings & Mahalo nui loa
Alison L Yim
alohalivingspaces@gmail.com
This is bad on so many of us that take care of these rentals. We own a cleaning and maintenance business and we have been hit hard with all the stress of these owners not knowing what’s going to happen. I have been here 20 years and if this passes I would have to move off island. Much mahalo edy daniel
I am Gretchen Guerrero, a lifelong resident of Maui, deeply rooted in the travel and tourism sector that thrives within our island's heart. My journey began with an internship at the esteemed Outrigger hotels and was further shaped by my involvement in the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism. Today, I am honored to serve as the General Manager of Kahana Village resort, a position I have held since being given the opportunity to return to Maui after the challenging years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
I stand before you to voice my vehement opposition to the proposed legislation that seeks to phase out over 7,000 short-term rental units across our island. This legislation, if implemented, would not only jeopardize my career but also the economic stability of numerous local families and the very fabric of Maui's economy.
The economic repercussions of this phase-out would be far-reaching. Short-term rentals are an indispensable part of Maui's tourism industry, drawing visitors who not only occupy these units but also infuse the local economy with their spending. From dining at our restaurants to shopping at our boutiques, and from participating in cultural tours to enjoying recreational activities, these visitors support a multitude of businesses. The potential decline in short-term rentals would lead to a significant drop in revenue, affecting not just our resort but also the countless small businesses that are the lifeblood of our community.
Small businesses, the backbone of Maui's economy, would face an existential threat. The loss of tourist dollars would force many of these establishments to reduce their operations or close their doors entirely. This would result in widespread job losses, exacerbating the already challenging economic conditions for local residents. The ripple effect would extend to every corner of our island, impacting everyone from the local fisherman who supplies our eateries to the artisans who sell their handcrafted goods to visitors.
Moreover, the short-term rental industry supports a vast network of local service providers. As a vacation rental manager, I am acutely aware of the essential roles played by housekeepers, landscapers, maintenance workers, and other service professionals. These jobs are not just lines on a balance sheet; they are the means by which our residents support their families and contribute to our community. The elimination of short-term rentals would devastate these opportunities, pushing many into economic precarity and potentially forcing them to leave the island in search of livelihoods.
It is also important to recognize the cultural significance of short-term rentals. They serve as bridges between our local communities and the world, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Maui's rich heritage and traditions. Visitors who stay in these rentals often engage more deeply with our island, participating in local events, learning about our history, and supporting our cultural practitioners. This exchange is invaluable, enriching the experience of both visitors and residents alike.
Moreover, short-term rentals offer a unique and essential lodging option that caters to the diverse needs of today's travelers. Families and groups seeking the comfort and space of a home find solace in our rentals, where they can create lasting memories in a setting that hotels simply cannot replicate. This variety in accommodation not only enriches the visitor experience but also broadens the appeal of Maui as a destination, ensuring that our island remains a beacon for travelers seeking a genuine connection to the place they visit.
At Kahana Village, our commitment to our community is reflected in our employment practices and vendor relationships. We employ over sixteen individuals, contributing $450,000 to local salaries. Our network of over 30 local vendors receives up to $1 million annually from our operations, with a substantial portion of that—$300,000—going directly to our hardworking housekeeping staff. Our resort's partnerships extend to local laundry services, linen providers, housekeeping agencies, window cleaners, landscaping companies, beach maintenance crews, and skilled handyman and maintenance workers. Since 2000, Kahana Village has been a cornerstone of the local economy, contributing $2.6 million in tax revenue each year.
In closing, I implore the commission to reconsider this legislation. Rather than an outright phase-out, let us explore regulatory measures that address concerns without decimating the industry. Let us also invest in affordable housing solutions that alleviate the pressures on our local residents. We must remember that the strength of Maui lies in its people and the diverse businesses that support them. As someone who was born and raised here, who has weathered the challenges of relocating for work during the pandemic, and who has returned to lead and support my community, I urge you to consider the broader implications of this legislation. We must protect the economic and cultural tapestry of our island, ensuring that future generations can continue to call Maui their home.
Thank you, Commission Members, for your time and consideration. I ask that you think of the broader implications of this legislation and the alternative solutions that can preserve the economic and cultural fabric of our beloved island.
Aloha mai kākou,
Imagine explaining to the rest of the world that in the aftermath of a wildfire that destroyed thousands of homes, we’re still defending the right of tourists to rent condos in Apartment-zoned districts, to the detriment of local residents and Native Hawaiians who remain houseless, some living in vehicles or tents on the beach.
Sounds absurd, right? That’s because it is.
I am writing in strong support of Bill 9. This ordinance is a long-overdue step toward restoring the original purpose of our Apartment Districts — to house our people. The ongoing loophole that allows transient vacation rentals (TVRs) to operate in these areas has only deepened the housing crisis and made it harder for local families to remain in the communities they were raised in.
According to the recent UHERO report on the Minatoya list and STR’s in Maui, it appears that the vast majority (over 86%) of TVR owners do not reside in Maui; I have read reports that cite that number being closer to 96%. Of those out of state owners, over half own more than 20 properties, each. This is not about small families or individuals who rely on TVR income, this is about a small amount of out of state investors HOARDING housing supply that is desperately needed for people who actually reside on Maui. This is not pono.
Maui’s housing should not be treated as an investment vehicle for absentee landlords. We are losing more than just housing — we are losing culture, pilina, and the possibility of planting roots for future generations. This bill will help bring Hawaiians home, protect our keiki, and ensure ʻāina serves those who live here, not just those who visit.
Bill 9 doesn’t take anything away that wasn’t stolen to begin with. It simply asks: what would this place look like if it actually prioritized its people?
Let’s find out. Please pass the bill.
Mahalo for your time and kuleana,
Maui Tauotaha
p.s. - For those who believe building more housing is the answer, there is a one word answer for that: wai. There’s not enough. But we would love your help to enforce water use so that in-stream flows are regulated according to the law and those responsible for taking more than legally allowed are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Not just in West Maui but across the entire pae ʻāina. Mahalo!
I own a condo in Kihei. We have lived in it since 1998. We have never used it as a short-term vacation rental. However, I am appalled that the county of Maui is infringing on homeowner rights to do with their home as they see fit within reason. We as citizens of the United States of America
are losing our rights more and more. Please do not support this. We rely on tourism as a state. Many more people are able to afford a trip to Maui because this an option. When tourists have extra money, they spend it in our economy. This also does not help the housing crisis. Making rent more affordable and having actual houses that working people can buy is what will help the housing crises. Also, if you want more people to make their units long term make it an incentive to do so. Lower taxes on long term rentals. There seems to be more solutions to the housing problem than taking away the rights of home (condo) owners. Thank you, for listening to a long time Maui resident, who pays taxes and votes. I love Maui and want what is best for everyone. Nikki Domsitz Haleakala Shores
Strongly oppose the ban. Anyone who thinks that you can take a million-dollar ocean-front condo and turn it into affordable housing needs to go back to school. A blue-collar family cannot afford to buy it or to pay over $6000 per month in rent. My condo is not for sale. It will never be affordable housing.
As an STR, my condo provides thousands of dollars each month from GE & TAT taxes along with my property tax. The state and the county would lose out on thousands of dollars every month from these taxes as well as all the money that our guests spend while on the island. Locals would be hurt by any ban as they depend on STR's for their jobs (property managers, maids, repair personnel, etc.).
A ban on STR's will not fix the housing problem on Maui, it will only cause more problems for people that have already suffered from the Lahaina fire. Listen to the UHERO report, oppose the ban. Mahalo.
Subject: Public Comment on Regulation of Vacation Rentals in Maui County
As a long-time resident of Lahaina, I respectfully urge the Council to take a more balanced and data-driven approach to regulating vacation rentals in Maui County.
There is no question that the overuse and lax oversight of vacation rentals have contributed to serious issues—particularly in regard to housing availability for local residents. However, before making a final decision on this bill, I believe it's critical that the community is provided with transparent, detailed data on the handling of illegal rentals. This information is essential to crafting a truly effective and fair policy.
We must prioritize appropriate zoning and increased opportunities for kamaʻāina families and workers. Yet, eliminating all short-term rentals on the proposed list could backfire—creating legal setbacks and significantly disrupting the livelihoods of many local residents whose incomes depend on tourism, especially in cleaning, maintenance, and support services for these properties.
It’s also important to recognize that many of the vacation rentals proposed for conversion to long-term housing are financially out of reach for local families. The high maintenance fees and overall costs may result in units sitting vacant or pricing out the very people we aim to support. This could force residents into substandard living situations or unsafe housing conditions, further worsening the crisis.
Instead of a one-size-fits-all ban, I strongly advocate for a compromise—one that protects our communities from exploitation, but also supports our local workforce, respects property rights, and ensures real, affordable housing solutions.
Let’s move forward with a comprehensive strategy that works for all of us.
Mahalo for your time and service to our community.
My name is Diana Tevaga, and I am a Maui born, Lahaina raised, displaced survivor of the Lahaina wildfire. As someone who has experienced these hardships, I prioritize the needs of our community and strongly support the phase-out of short-term rentals on the Minatoya List, converting them into long-term housing for local families.
The housing crisis we face in Maui is dire. I understand the urgency firsthand, as I am a displaced survivor. Short-term rentals in apartment-zoned areas were meant to house our community. Converting these back to long-term residential use will help address the housing crisis. These properties should serve local families, not just visitors.
I want to take this opportunity to share some of the challenges that survivors like myself are facing, especially with regard to the current rental market and affordable housing options.
I am a one-person income household, and like many of my neighbors, I cannot afford the current rental market in Maui. The median rents for one-bedroom and studio apartments have skyrocketed, with rents generally exceeding $2,000 per month. Despite this, the Area Median Income (AMI) for Maui does not reflect the true cost of living here for residents like me. My current AMI disqualifies me from affordable housing programs, leaving me in a difficult position where the high rental market is out of reach, yet I cannot access affordable housing programs because of the AMI thresholds.
On top of this, many affordable housing options are not pet-friendly, and as a pet owner, this adds another layer of hardship. Like many survivors, my pets are not just animals—they are my emotional support and an integral part of my family. Unfortunately, most rental options, both market rate and affordable, have strict pet restrictions that do not allow me to keep my animals. This creates an impossible situation, where I cannot find housing that accommodates both my financial situation and my need to keep my pets, which are vital to my mental well-being.
As of June 2025, Maui's wildfire survivors have been provided temporary housing through various initiatives:
The FEMA Direct Lease Program has been instrumental in housing displaced families but its future is uncertain due to changes in federal policies. Many survivors fear they will not qualify for continued assistance under this program. Kilohana Group Housing site reached full occupancy, with all units assigned to eligible households. Survivors who have not been placed in Kilohana are left with few options. Additionally, survivors currently in the FEMA Direct Lease program do not qualify for Hale La'ie or Ka La'i Ola when FEMA assistance ends.
One critical challenge that many survivors face is the issue of Area Median Income (AMI) and its impact on eligibility for affordable housing programs. The AMI calculations currently used do not reflect the reality of what families can afford in Maui's rental market. As rent prices continue to rise, the AMI for Maui does not match the actual costs of living here for most residents.
For example, median rental prices for a one-bedroom apartment in Maui have now risen to $2,350, yet the AMI calculation still places many local families far above the income thresholds required for affordable housing. This results in a significant number of people being disqualified from affordable housing projects, even though their income is far from sufficient to afford current market rents.
In addition, the FEMA Direct Lease program and many affordable housing programs use state-level AMI calculations, which are often much higher than what is realistic for Maui. This disparity excludes many families who are stuck between qualifying for affordable housing and the market rates they cannot afford.
The housing crisis on Maui is not only affecting residents but also their beloved pets. The Maui Humane Society is experiencing unprecedented overcrowding. Over 40% of surrenders are due to lack of pet-friendly housing. Addressing this issue is essential, and Senate Bill 416 could amend Hawaii's landlord-tenant code to allow tenants to keep pets, provided they maintain liability insurance.
This situation underscores the urgency of converting short-term rentals into long-term housing to provide stable living conditions for these families, especially as FEMA's temporary housing support comes to an end. Transitioning short-term rentals to long-term rentals would help alleviate some of the lack of infrastructure in Maui. With limited new housing development due to the lack of available land and the challenges of building new infrastructure, repurposing short-term rentals is a practical solution that could help meet the demand for affordable housing. Short-term rental properties already benefit from existing infrastructure, which significantly reduces the need for new infrastructure investments, making this a cost-effective and timely solution. Additionally, there are many single-household community members like myself who could benefit from these converted accommodations, as there is an urgent need for housing across all household sizes, including those of larger families.
The University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization (UHERO) has conducted in-depth analysis supporting the phase-out of short-term rentals in Maui. The findings show that while eliminating all short-term rentals in apartment zones may reduce visitor accommodations by 25% and visitor days by 32%, leading to a decline of $900 million in visitor spending and the loss of approximately 1,900 jobs, it is still a necessary move to support long-term housing needs. UHERO also emphasized that the long-term economic stability of the island will benefit from policies that prioritize the housing needs of local families over short-term tourism revenue.
To mitigate the negative impacts of this policy, UHERO suggests implementing incentives for short-term rental owners to transition their properties into long-term rentals. This includes offering tax incentives, subsidies, or low-interest loans for property owners to renovate and adapt their properties. Other proposed solutions include:
Encouraging responsible tourism by shifting towards high-value, low-impact tourism.
Promoting sustainable economic diversification to reduce Maui’s reliance on tourism and create more stable, long-term employment.
Supporting workers in transition by investing in retraining programs for workers displaced by the reduction in short-term rental activity.
Worldwide, communities are grappling with the issues of short-term rentals and housing affordability. Cities like Barcelona, Vancouver, and Berlin have implemented measures to limit short-term rentals in order to protect long-term housing stock. These actions have helped reduce the strain on rental markets while still allowing for regulated tourism. Maui has the opportunity to follow in their footsteps by converting short-term rentals into long-term housing, helping to address the pressing needs of displaced survivors and local families.
The housing crisis on Maui is urgent and requires immediate, practical action. Converting short-term rentals into long-term housing is a crucial step in providing stable homes for displaced survivors, local families, and all community members. The time for action is now, and the need is clear. Let’s prioritize the well-being of those who call Maui home, ensuring a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Diana Tevaga
I purchased a condo in Kihei in 2002 when I lived on Maui and worked in Wailuku. It is one of the many units on the Mayor’s chopping block. I have kept my unit because I, like many other purchasers/owners, love Maui, love to vacation on island, and would like to be able retire there some day. I don’t think I need to tell the Council has much money my unit and its guests contribute to the local economy. That’s been said. I also understand how expensive housing on Maui has become.
I disagree with the current narrative that off-island owners are just investors and need to be shut down. If one wanted to make money, buying or operating a unit on Maui would not be the way. The Council has had no problem steadily increasing our property taxes. Additionally, condo insurance and condo dues have skyrocketed. And, all costs for any sort of service, from cleaning to plumbing has increased. Very few owners are breaking even. In essence, Maui’s economy is not just supported by tourism, but by lots of Mainland money keeping everything afloat.
It is easy to point fingers at off-island owners (who don’t vote) and say they are the cause of the housing issue. However, affordable housing in desirable places is a problem everywhere - not just Maui. That being said, this issue long predates Covid or the Lahaina fire. Years ago, the County could have tried to diversify its economy and/or enact policies to ensure affordable housing. The County chose not to. Now there is housing crunch, and the Mayor proposes a quick fix of strong-arming out of state owners to convert their units to affordable housing. That being said, the sheer costs of operating these units will not qualify them as affordable.. Does the County believe there will be so many units available that competition will drive rental prices down? Who then gets to pay for the costs that «affordable» rent does not the cover? The owner? The County? If the County does not subsidize, owners will eventually give up, and sell at a significantly reduced price. And since these are not good investments for the average person, the result will be corporate investors. Who else can afford to indiscriminately financially float investments? Additionally, if the Council elects to side with the Mayor, what is its plan to support everyone whose livelihoods are dependent on STVRs? Is the County planning on paying their rents, mortgages and/or groceries? Does the County plan to step in like FEMA and now cover these costs?
I would encourage the Council to oppose the Mayor’s initiative. Voting in favor will, without a doubt, create substantially more problems for a community that suffered under Covid and continues to suffer after the fire.
I am the owner of a condominium unit in an apartment-zoned district in Maui. I write to you today with deep respect for the legislative process and heartfelt concern for the future of our island, our economy, and our community. I am writing to strongly oppose the proposed phase-out of short-term rentals in apartment-zoned areas.
My investment in Maui was made in good fait - under clearly defined, longstanding laws that permitted short-term rental use in these areas. Like many others, I have abided by all regulations, paid all taxes diligently, and maintained my unit to high standards out of pride for our community and respect for visitors. This proposed legislation disregards those legal assurances and threatens to unravel the foundation upon which many of us built our ownership and livelihoods.
This legislation will not achieve its intended goal of solving the housing crisis.
Short-term rentals in apartment districts have been legally established for decades and play a crucial role in supporting Maui’s local economy. Removing them does not create new housing - it merely eliminates income for countless property owners, contractors, cleaners, local suppliers, and small businesses who depend on this industry. It does nothing to lower home prices, incentivize development, or create sustainable housing solutions.
The impact on the economy is real and immediate.
Tourism on Maui is already in decline. Property values are falling. Occupancy is soft. Families who once depended on rental income to maintain their units or offset mortgage and HOA costs are now struggling. Many local employees whose livelihoods are tied to the visitor economy face additional uncertainty. This bill would intensify those hardships.
Moreover, it undermines trust in our local governance.
Changing the rules retroactively after decades of legal precedent sends a message that property rights in Maui are not stable. That uncertainty not only hurts current owners: it discourages responsible investment in our community and signals to others that laws in Maui can be changed with little regard for those who have followed them in good faith.
I urge the Council to take a more thoughtful and inclusive approach to addressing Maui’s housing crisis, one that honors existing rights, prioritizes targeted affordable housing development, and brings stakeholders to the table to work toward real, lasting solutions.
Please do not approve this legislation. Let’s protect both our communities and our economy, without undermining the rights and futures of thousands of responsible property owners and local workers.
Mahalo for your time and your commitment to Maui’s future.
I strongly oppose Bill 9. I am one of the owners of Maui Paradise Properties and this bill would greatly affect our staff as well as all of our on island vendors. We are a small, locally owned and operated vacation rental business. We only do business with legal vacation rentals.
We would have to greatly reduce our 78 person staff and also largely cut down our 15 contracted cleaning teams we use as well as all of our other outside vendors such as handyman, electricians, remediation companies, glass companies, ac companies, plumbing companies, and the list goes on. I am very proud to say, we carefully choose our vendors and use locally owned small businesses for the majority of situations. The locksmith is good friends with one of our employees, the plumber lives up the street from me, the glass company is a long time friend, the electrician is surfing buddies with one of our employees, the handyman is a longtime friend and neighbor of another employee. We are so lucky to have a small business that also gets to employ other small businesses in our community. That is the way things should be, locally owned and locally referred. If this bill were to pass as it stands, this scenario would no longer be the case. These small businesses in our small community would hurt and many would end up going out of business. We aren’t a hotel, we are not corporate, these changes hurt the people who live here: not some large entity who takes the majority of the money off island.
We all understand affordable housing is an issue that we need to find a solution to together. I urge you to vote no on Bill 9 and let’s work together to find a better solution for our community that does not destroy our economy at the same time.
I have a lot of family on the island of Maui. They work hard to make an honest living. They are proud Hawaiians who do not always agree with all the things tourism brings to their home island. But they understand that tourism is an important part of Maui’s economics. Maui without the short-term rental will reduce jobs to people who are really counting on it. From the local Uber driver to the housekeeping business owners who do their best to compete with the “big buys” like Hilton to Four Seasons. Small business ownership is a dream for many locals. To have something of their very own and a sense of freedom, instead of being forced to work for “the man” or one of the many large hotel chains. The tax increase, the loss of jobs and taking away the sense of freedom small business ownership provide that this legislation present will destroy many local family’s livelihood and dreams. It will further threaten an already fragile Maui economy.
Mahalo nui to the Mayor and Lahaina Strong for this day! It's time to kick all the colonizers out and give us free housing! No need for scrap with these haoles right now but we should really bring back "Kill a Haole Day" soon.
I strongly oppose this Bill
Maui needs more small business , not less
How do plan on replacing the loss in revenue ?
DO NOT PASS THIS !!!
Tim Hehemann
(808) 740-2828
Thehemann@hawaii.rr.com
We are residents of Maui. Our family lives in Kihei. Our daughter goes to elementary school in Kihei. We are small business owners in Kihei. We are members of this community.
We strongly oppose this bill.
Trying to fix a problem with a solution that not only won't fix the issue but will actually make it worse isn't a good solution.
Short Term Rentals are the backbone of so many small businesses here on Maui. While many STR are not owned by locals, most small businesses are. Restaurants and food trucks, retail shops, service companies, tour operators and transportation companies and many others will be decimated. That not only impacts hundreds if not thousands of business owners but even more employees who will lose their jobs. Why would we try to fix a problem by hurting our own hard working residents and community members?
If you or your families livelihood isn't directly tied to tourism and you don't think it will impact you or your family you aren't looking at the facts. Eliminating STR on Maui will have an negative impact on everyone in Maui County while failing to deliver and real solution to the housing crisis.
I oppose eliminating Short Term Rentals. I am a full time Maui resident. I volunteer in my Maui community. I am NOT a rich mainland investor. I worked several jobs to save enough money to start a small business to secure my future. I am not greedy. I am just trying to survive like everyone else. I have been a good citizens and community member. I’m afraid that this Bill will wipe me out of all the hard work and planning I have done to support myself. How will I pay my bills and survive?
Please consider the negative impact this is going to have on those of us that live here who are hard working, middle class, blue collar people who rely on our small businesses to survive. THE NEGATIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT THIS WILL HAVE IS GOING TO DEVASTATE OUR ISLAND! This has been documented in SEVERAL studies. There isn’t ANY study that states it will work. I feel like Maui is wanting to put the entire weight of the devastation of the fire on the shoulders of short-term rental owners to fix problems that we didn't create. I LEGALLY purchased a short-term rental property as my small business so I could feed myself and survive. Tourism IS our Industry. Please don’t eliminate our industry until there’s a viable industry to replace it so all of us Maui Residents can support ourselves. Many people are going to lose their small businesses and jobs. Many people are not going to be able to survive. Robbing one group to pay the other is not the solution… that’s just transferring the problem.
Please, let's work together to find a solution that works for everyone. We need to BUILD affordable housing, not take away other people’s homes to give to another… Affordable housing has been built in past decades with no issues all while the Minatoya STR properties were also operating with no issues. It is within the last decades that there’s been little affordable housing built. Let’s focus on WHY that is and that’s where we will find an actual Solution to our housing problem.
Please ask the question:
Where’s the Maui affordable housing fund dollars? What Affordable housing has been built with the money in this fund?
Please DO NOT APPROVE this bill. This bill is NOT the solution. It is only causing division and hurt.
Mahalo for your attention and your service.
Wendy King
My name is Rajiv Malik, my wife and i used our savings during the Covid crisis to invest in a short-term rental property at the Kapalua Resort in Maui County. We made this investment not just in ourselves but in the beauty and promise of Maui. I am writing today to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed legislation to phase out more than 7,000 vacation rentals. I ask that you are selective in identifying the properties that are identified in providing housing for our Maui people.
We have worked had to be good stewards of this property. While we have used the property for our own enjoyment, we do use it as a vacation rental. The unit typically generates close to $50,000 is annual taxes (property and occupancy related taxes) that go back to Maui county, an almost similar amount goes back to local resources that manage the property, provided maintenance, cleaning and various other services. In 2023 we did a major renovation using a local contractor and buying materials from local stores. Our vacation rental guests, usually families with young children find renting a vacation rental the most economic and only option to visit Maui. These guests visit local restaurants and stores and spend their hard-earned money in the Maui economy. Maintaining our home as a vacation rental matters to me and probably also to all the small local businesses our unit supports year-round.
Maintaining a home at the Kapalua Resort has not been easy. We’ve faced huge maintenance costs, special assessments, and massive increases in insurance after the fires. The annual AOAO expense alone is now over $32,000 annually and likely to increase further due to upcoming maintenance. The Kapalua Resort was also never intended to be constructed for workforce housing. The residences limit occupancy, prohibit pets, have limited parking and lack storage space.
This legislation will result in the loss of island required income, the loss of jobs, the loss of homes, and the loss of Maui people who would be forced to ultimately leave the island. As the County has approved a $1.56 billion budget for 2025, it seems feasible that measures should be enacted to attract visitors to the island to bolster our economy and support our financial needs rather than further discouraging such. I urge the Council to find a fair and balanced path forward — one that protects local jobs, supports the economy, and holds STR owners to high standards, instead of phasing us out completely. Please exclude the Kapalua Resort from any STR ban.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Rajiv Malik,
Kapalua Ridge Villas
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members,
We are retired farmers from Hood River County, Oregon. In 2017 after selling our pear orchard which we had farmed for 20+ years, we invested in a beautiful condo at Maui Kamaole as a short-term rental property as a way to defer the capital gains tax on the sale of our livelihood. Our property was a business investment with a 1031 IRS. So, we are not those wealthy folks who happen to own a second home in Maui. No, the income we derive from our condo is a part of our retirement savings. We are writing today to express our deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed legislation to phase out more than 7,000 vacation rentals. We have worked hard to be responsible and community-oriented owners. We have generously contributed to the local charities of Maui. We recommend local restaurants and tour guides in our welcome guide. We employ many local service providers — cleaners, maintenance people, and landscapers — many of whom have become like family over the years. Our guests often leave Maui saying they felt more connected to the island because of the personal experience they had staying in our condo. Many of these families, especially those with young children, would not have come at all if they didn’t have a vacation rental option. They require flexible sleeping spaces and the ability to prepare meals at odd hours, not high priced hotel rooms. And if Maui cannot provide these family friendly options, believe me, there are other locations world wide for them to visit ~ Mexico, Florida, the Caribbean, to name just a few. This matters — not just to us, but to all the small businesses they support during their stays.Owning in this condo has not been financially easy. In fact, we have faced higher maintenance costs, special assessments, and massive increases in insurance after the fires. In 2024 our condo association insurance jumped from $140,000 to $1.25 million, making our individual additional assessment $3800 for that one year alone! We're hoping for a slightly less amount in the future but of course there are no guarantees. However our taxes have jumped from $7500 in 2018, ($10800 ~ 2023) ($16860 ~ 2024) to a whopping $20,680 in 2025! While the rate of those increases is definitely not sustainable, it is our property taxes that overwhelmingly support this county's fiscal budget. How would the conversion to long term rentals sustain the current budget? In closing, our Maui Kamaole Resort was not built to house local families. There is one parking space per unit. There is literally no storage space for a local family's possessions and pets are NOT allowed! Instead, there should be a massive effort on YOUR PART to get housing built for these local families, not deny the investment we all made in the County of Maui eight years ago. It is totally unfair and likely to be held up in court for years, costing the County millions of dollars more. The ball is in your court, folks.Mahalo,Sara and Larry Martin, owners Maui Kamaole I-216
Aloha mai kākou,
My name is Ilima-Lei Macfarlane. I’m from Nuʻuanu Valley on the island of Oʻahu and currently reside in San Diego County.
At first glance, you may be wondering what this Oʻahu girl is doing testifying on a Maui issue—especially one that doesn’t directly pertain to her. And I wouldn’t blame you. Like many kānaka in the diaspora, I now live far from the ʻāina that raised me. But my connection to Maui runs deep.
During the devastating wildfires, I witnessed firsthand the compounding trauma caused not just by the flames, but by the housing crisis that followed. I did what I could from afar to support emergency relief efforts, but what became undeniably clear to me was this: the crisis in Maui’s housing isn’t simply a byproduct of natural disaster—it is a result of long-standing systems of displacement rooted in settler colonialism.
As I continued to learn, I discovered that my own moʻokūʻauhau traces back to East Maui—from Haʻikū through Hāna. That discovery shifted everything for me. I realized I have a kuleana to this ʻāina—one that runs deeper than any vacation home owner or transplant resident who disguises their land acquisition under the terms of “hard work," “retirement dream,” “employer", or "my rights.”
And you, members of this Committee, carry kuleana too. Not to profit. Not to those who see Hawaiʻi as a commodity or a place to retire. But to the people of this land—your people—who deserve protection, housing, and the ability to remain rooted in their ancestral home. That kuleana must outweigh any allegiance to wealth or outside interests.
For these reasons, I strongly support Bill 9. It is a necessary and overdue step to protect our lāhui and ensure that our people—not investors or people who have no kuleana here—are prioritized.
Mahalo for your time and for standing for the people of Hawai'i.
Ke aloha,
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane
Dear Maui County Council Housing and Land Use Committee, Mayor Bissen
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed ban on short-term rentals currently protected under the Minatoya List.
As a responsible short-term rental (STR) FT owner. I have followed the rules, paid my taxes, and invested deeply in my property and in the Maui Community. The Minatoya List has provided a legal, stable framework for over 23 years, and many of us have built our livelihoods around it. To dismantle it now-without viable alternatives-would unfairly punish those of us who have acted in good faith and contributed to the local economy.
I fully recognize the urgent need for affordable housing on Maui. But banning legal STRs is not a sustainable or effective solution.
Instead of destroying the livelihood of local property owners, I urge you to consider alternative strategies such as:
Incentivizing the development of truly affordable housing,
Repurposing underutilizing or vacant properties
Partnering with the private sector to create housing that meets workforce needs
We need thoughtful, balanced policies-not sweeping bans that harm individuals, families and small business owners who are part of the fabric of this island.
Please do not take away the rights and stability that the Minatoya List has long provided. Let's work toward solutions that preserve both community housing & community livelihoods.
Blessings & Mahalo nui loa
Alison L Yim
alohalivingspaces@gmail.com
This is bad on so many of us that take care of these rentals. We own a cleaning and maintenance business and we have been hit hard with all the stress of these owners not knowing what’s going to happen. I have been here 20 years and if this passes I would have to move off island. Much mahalo edy daniel
I am Gretchen Guerrero, a lifelong resident of Maui, deeply rooted in the travel and tourism sector that thrives within our island's heart. My journey began with an internship at the esteemed Outrigger hotels and was further shaped by my involvement in the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism. Today, I am honored to serve as the General Manager of Kahana Village resort, a position I have held since being given the opportunity to return to Maui after the challenging years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
I stand before you to voice my vehement opposition to the proposed legislation that seeks to phase out over 7,000 short-term rental units across our island. This legislation, if implemented, would not only jeopardize my career but also the economic stability of numerous local families and the very fabric of Maui's economy.
The economic repercussions of this phase-out would be far-reaching. Short-term rentals are an indispensable part of Maui's tourism industry, drawing visitors who not only occupy these units but also infuse the local economy with their spending. From dining at our restaurants to shopping at our boutiques, and from participating in cultural tours to enjoying recreational activities, these visitors support a multitude of businesses. The potential decline in short-term rentals would lead to a significant drop in revenue, affecting not just our resort but also the countless small businesses that are the lifeblood of our community.
Small businesses, the backbone of Maui's economy, would face an existential threat. The loss of tourist dollars would force many of these establishments to reduce their operations or close their doors entirely. This would result in widespread job losses, exacerbating the already challenging economic conditions for local residents. The ripple effect would extend to every corner of our island, impacting everyone from the local fisherman who supplies our eateries to the artisans who sell their handcrafted goods to visitors.
Moreover, the short-term rental industry supports a vast network of local service providers. As a vacation rental manager, I am acutely aware of the essential roles played by housekeepers, landscapers, maintenance workers, and other service professionals. These jobs are not just lines on a balance sheet; they are the means by which our residents support their families and contribute to our community. The elimination of short-term rentals would devastate these opportunities, pushing many into economic precarity and potentially forcing them to leave the island in search of livelihoods.
It is also important to recognize the cultural significance of short-term rentals. They serve as bridges between our local communities and the world, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Maui's rich heritage and traditions. Visitors who stay in these rentals often engage more deeply with our island, participating in local events, learning about our history, and supporting our cultural practitioners. This exchange is invaluable, enriching the experience of both visitors and residents alike.
Moreover, short-term rentals offer a unique and essential lodging option that caters to the diverse needs of today's travelers. Families and groups seeking the comfort and space of a home find solace in our rentals, where they can create lasting memories in a setting that hotels simply cannot replicate. This variety in accommodation not only enriches the visitor experience but also broadens the appeal of Maui as a destination, ensuring that our island remains a beacon for travelers seeking a genuine connection to the place they visit.
At Kahana Village, our commitment to our community is reflected in our employment practices and vendor relationships. We employ over sixteen individuals, contributing $450,000 to local salaries. Our network of over 30 local vendors receives up to $1 million annually from our operations, with a substantial portion of that—$300,000—going directly to our hardworking housekeeping staff. Our resort's partnerships extend to local laundry services, linen providers, housekeeping agencies, window cleaners, landscaping companies, beach maintenance crews, and skilled handyman and maintenance workers. Since 2000, Kahana Village has been a cornerstone of the local economy, contributing $2.6 million in tax revenue each year.
In closing, I implore the commission to reconsider this legislation. Rather than an outright phase-out, let us explore regulatory measures that address concerns without decimating the industry. Let us also invest in affordable housing solutions that alleviate the pressures on our local residents. We must remember that the strength of Maui lies in its people and the diverse businesses that support them. As someone who was born and raised here, who has weathered the challenges of relocating for work during the pandemic, and who has returned to lead and support my community, I urge you to consider the broader implications of this legislation. We must protect the economic and cultural tapestry of our island, ensuring that future generations can continue to call Maui their home.
Thank you, Commission Members, for your time and consideration. I ask that you think of the broader implications of this legislation and the alternative solutions that can preserve the economic and cultural fabric of our beloved island.
Sincerely,
Gretchen Guerrero
Maui Resident
Aloha mai kākou,
Imagine explaining to the rest of the world that in the aftermath of a wildfire that destroyed thousands of homes, we’re still defending the right of tourists to rent condos in Apartment-zoned districts, to the detriment of local residents and Native Hawaiians who remain houseless, some living in vehicles or tents on the beach.
Sounds absurd, right? That’s because it is.
I am writing in strong support of Bill 9. This ordinance is a long-overdue step toward restoring the original purpose of our Apartment Districts — to house our people. The ongoing loophole that allows transient vacation rentals (TVRs) to operate in these areas has only deepened the housing crisis and made it harder for local families to remain in the communities they were raised in.
According to the recent UHERO report on the Minatoya list and STR’s in Maui, it appears that the vast majority (over 86%) of TVR owners do not reside in Maui; I have read reports that cite that number being closer to 96%. Of those out of state owners, over half own more than 20 properties, each. This is not about small families or individuals who rely on TVR income, this is about a small amount of out of state investors HOARDING housing supply that is desperately needed for people who actually reside on Maui. This is not pono.
Maui’s housing should not be treated as an investment vehicle for absentee landlords. We are losing more than just housing — we are losing culture, pilina, and the possibility of planting roots for future generations. This bill will help bring Hawaiians home, protect our keiki, and ensure ʻāina serves those who live here, not just those who visit.
Bill 9 doesn’t take anything away that wasn’t stolen to begin with. It simply asks: what would this place look like if it actually prioritized its people?
Let’s find out. Please pass the bill.
Mahalo for your time and kuleana,
Maui Tauotaha
p.s. - For those who believe building more housing is the answer, there is a one word answer for that: wai. There’s not enough. But we would love your help to enforce water use so that in-stream flows are regulated according to the law and those responsible for taking more than legally allowed are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Not just in West Maui but across the entire pae ʻāina. Mahalo!
I own a condo in Kihei. We have lived in it since 1998. We have never used it as a short-term vacation rental. However, I am appalled that the county of Maui is infringing on homeowner rights to do with their home as they see fit within reason. We as citizens of the United States of America
are losing our rights more and more. Please do not support this. We rely on tourism as a state. Many more people are able to afford a trip to Maui because this an option. When tourists have extra money, they spend it in our economy. This also does not help the housing crisis. Making rent more affordable and having actual houses that working people can buy is what will help the housing crises. Also, if you want more people to make their units long term make it an incentive to do so. Lower taxes on long term rentals. There seems to be more solutions to the housing problem than taking away the rights of home (condo) owners. Thank you, for listening to a long time Maui resident, who pays taxes and votes. I love Maui and want what is best for everyone. Nikki Domsitz Haleakala Shores
Strongly oppose the ban. Anyone who thinks that you can take a million-dollar ocean-front condo and turn it into affordable housing needs to go back to school. A blue-collar family cannot afford to buy it or to pay over $6000 per month in rent. My condo is not for sale. It will never be affordable housing.
As an STR, my condo provides thousands of dollars each month from GE & TAT taxes along with my property tax. The state and the county would lose out on thousands of dollars every month from these taxes as well as all the money that our guests spend while on the island. Locals would be hurt by any ban as they depend on STR's for their jobs (property managers, maids, repair personnel, etc.).
A ban on STR's will not fix the housing problem on Maui, it will only cause more problems for people that have already suffered from the Lahaina fire. Listen to the UHERO report, oppose the ban. Mahalo.
Subject: Public Comment on Regulation of Vacation Rentals in Maui County
As a long-time resident of Lahaina, I respectfully urge the Council to take a more balanced and data-driven approach to regulating vacation rentals in Maui County.
There is no question that the overuse and lax oversight of vacation rentals have contributed to serious issues—particularly in regard to housing availability for local residents. However, before making a final decision on this bill, I believe it's critical that the community is provided with transparent, detailed data on the handling of illegal rentals. This information is essential to crafting a truly effective and fair policy.
We must prioritize appropriate zoning and increased opportunities for kamaʻāina families and workers. Yet, eliminating all short-term rentals on the proposed list could backfire—creating legal setbacks and significantly disrupting the livelihoods of many local residents whose incomes depend on tourism, especially in cleaning, maintenance, and support services for these properties.
It’s also important to recognize that many of the vacation rentals proposed for conversion to long-term housing are financially out of reach for local families. The high maintenance fees and overall costs may result in units sitting vacant or pricing out the very people we aim to support. This could force residents into substandard living situations or unsafe housing conditions, further worsening the crisis.
Instead of a one-size-fits-all ban, I strongly advocate for a compromise—one that protects our communities from exploitation, but also supports our local workforce, respects property rights, and ensures real, affordable housing solutions.
Let’s move forward with a comprehensive strategy that works for all of us.
Mahalo for your time and service to our community.
Dear Council Members,
My name is Diana Tevaga, and I am a Maui born, Lahaina raised, displaced survivor of the Lahaina wildfire. As someone who has experienced these hardships, I prioritize the needs of our community and strongly support the phase-out of short-term rentals on the Minatoya List, converting them into long-term housing for local families.
The housing crisis we face in Maui is dire. I understand the urgency firsthand, as I am a displaced survivor. Short-term rentals in apartment-zoned areas were meant to house our community. Converting these back to long-term residential use will help address the housing crisis. These properties should serve local families, not just visitors.
I want to take this opportunity to share some of the challenges that survivors like myself are facing, especially with regard to the current rental market and affordable housing options.
I am a one-person income household, and like many of my neighbors, I cannot afford the current rental market in Maui. The median rents for one-bedroom and studio apartments have skyrocketed, with rents generally exceeding $2,000 per month. Despite this, the Area Median Income (AMI) for Maui does not reflect the true cost of living here for residents like me. My current AMI disqualifies me from affordable housing programs, leaving me in a difficult position where the high rental market is out of reach, yet I cannot access affordable housing programs because of the AMI thresholds.
On top of this, many affordable housing options are not pet-friendly, and as a pet owner, this adds another layer of hardship. Like many survivors, my pets are not just animals—they are my emotional support and an integral part of my family. Unfortunately, most rental options, both market rate and affordable, have strict pet restrictions that do not allow me to keep my animals. This creates an impossible situation, where I cannot find housing that accommodates both my financial situation and my need to keep my pets, which are vital to my mental well-being.
As of June 2025, Maui's wildfire survivors have been provided temporary housing through various initiatives:
The FEMA Direct Lease Program has been instrumental in housing displaced families but its future is uncertain due to changes in federal policies. Many survivors fear they will not qualify for continued assistance under this program. Kilohana Group Housing site reached full occupancy, with all units assigned to eligible households. Survivors who have not been placed in Kilohana are left with few options. Additionally, survivors currently in the FEMA Direct Lease program do not qualify for Hale La'ie or Ka La'i Ola when FEMA assistance ends.
One critical challenge that many survivors face is the issue of Area Median Income (AMI) and its impact on eligibility for affordable housing programs. The AMI calculations currently used do not reflect the reality of what families can afford in Maui's rental market. As rent prices continue to rise, the AMI for Maui does not match the actual costs of living here for most residents.
For example, median rental prices for a one-bedroom apartment in Maui have now risen to $2,350, yet the AMI calculation still places many local families far above the income thresholds required for affordable housing. This results in a significant number of people being disqualified from affordable housing projects, even though their income is far from sufficient to afford current market rents.
In addition, the FEMA Direct Lease program and many affordable housing programs use state-level AMI calculations, which are often much higher than what is realistic for Maui. This disparity excludes many families who are stuck between qualifying for affordable housing and the market rates they cannot afford.
The housing crisis on Maui is not only affecting residents but also their beloved pets. The Maui Humane Society is experiencing unprecedented overcrowding. Over 40% of surrenders are due to lack of pet-friendly housing. Addressing this issue is essential, and Senate Bill 416 could amend Hawaii's landlord-tenant code to allow tenants to keep pets, provided they maintain liability insurance.
This situation underscores the urgency of converting short-term rentals into long-term housing to provide stable living conditions for these families, especially as FEMA's temporary housing support comes to an end. Transitioning short-term rentals to long-term rentals would help alleviate some of the lack of infrastructure in Maui. With limited new housing development due to the lack of available land and the challenges of building new infrastructure, repurposing short-term rentals is a practical solution that could help meet the demand for affordable housing. Short-term rental properties already benefit from existing infrastructure, which significantly reduces the need for new infrastructure investments, making this a cost-effective and timely solution. Additionally, there are many single-household community members like myself who could benefit from these converted accommodations, as there is an urgent need for housing across all household sizes, including those of larger families.
The University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization (UHERO) has conducted in-depth analysis supporting the phase-out of short-term rentals in Maui. The findings show that while eliminating all short-term rentals in apartment zones may reduce visitor accommodations by 25% and visitor days by 32%, leading to a decline of $900 million in visitor spending and the loss of approximately 1,900 jobs, it is still a necessary move to support long-term housing needs. UHERO also emphasized that the long-term economic stability of the island will benefit from policies that prioritize the housing needs of local families over short-term tourism revenue.
To mitigate the negative impacts of this policy, UHERO suggests implementing incentives for short-term rental owners to transition their properties into long-term rentals. This includes offering tax incentives, subsidies, or low-interest loans for property owners to renovate and adapt their properties. Other proposed solutions include:
Encouraging responsible tourism by shifting towards high-value, low-impact tourism.
Promoting sustainable economic diversification to reduce Maui’s reliance on tourism and create more stable, long-term employment.
Supporting workers in transition by investing in retraining programs for workers displaced by the reduction in short-term rental activity.
Worldwide, communities are grappling with the issues of short-term rentals and housing affordability. Cities like Barcelona, Vancouver, and Berlin have implemented measures to limit short-term rentals in order to protect long-term housing stock. These actions have helped reduce the strain on rental markets while still allowing for regulated tourism. Maui has the opportunity to follow in their footsteps by converting short-term rentals into long-term housing, helping to address the pressing needs of displaced survivors and local families.
The housing crisis on Maui is urgent and requires immediate, practical action. Converting short-term rentals into long-term housing is a crucial step in providing stable homes for displaced survivors, local families, and all community members. The time for action is now, and the need is clear. Let’s prioritize the well-being of those who call Maui home, ensuring a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Diana Tevaga
I purchased a condo in Kihei in 2002 when I lived on Maui and worked in Wailuku. It is one of the many units on the Mayor’s chopping block. I have kept my unit because I, like many other purchasers/owners, love Maui, love to vacation on island, and would like to be able retire there some day. I don’t think I need to tell the Council has much money my unit and its guests contribute to the local economy. That’s been said. I also understand how expensive housing on Maui has become.
I disagree with the current narrative that off-island owners are just investors and need to be shut down. If one wanted to make money, buying or operating a unit on Maui would not be the way. The Council has had no problem steadily increasing our property taxes. Additionally, condo insurance and condo dues have skyrocketed. And, all costs for any sort of service, from cleaning to plumbing has increased. Very few owners are breaking even. In essence, Maui’s economy is not just supported by tourism, but by lots of Mainland money keeping everything afloat.
It is easy to point fingers at off-island owners (who don’t vote) and say they are the cause of the housing issue. However, affordable housing in desirable places is a problem everywhere - not just Maui. That being said, this issue long predates Covid or the Lahaina fire. Years ago, the County could have tried to diversify its economy and/or enact policies to ensure affordable housing. The County chose not to. Now there is housing crunch, and the Mayor proposes a quick fix of strong-arming out of state owners to convert their units to affordable housing. That being said, the sheer costs of operating these units will not qualify them as affordable.. Does the County believe there will be so many units available that competition will drive rental prices down? Who then gets to pay for the costs that «affordable» rent does not the cover? The owner? The County? If the County does not subsidize, owners will eventually give up, and sell at a significantly reduced price. And since these are not good investments for the average person, the result will be corporate investors. Who else can afford to indiscriminately financially float investments? Additionally, if the Council elects to side with the Mayor, what is its plan to support everyone whose livelihoods are dependent on STVRs? Is the County planning on paying their rents, mortgages and/or groceries? Does the County plan to step in like FEMA and now cover these costs?
I would encourage the Council to oppose the Mayor’s initiative. Voting in favor will, without a doubt, create substantially more problems for a community that suffered under Covid and continues to suffer after the fire.
Sincerely,
Scott Choate
(360) 303-6226
Aloha Chair and Council Members,
I am the owner of a condominium unit in an apartment-zoned district in Maui. I write to you today with deep respect for the legislative process and heartfelt concern for the future of our island, our economy, and our community. I am writing to strongly oppose the proposed phase-out of short-term rentals in apartment-zoned areas.
My investment in Maui was made in good fait - under clearly defined, longstanding laws that permitted short-term rental use in these areas. Like many others, I have abided by all regulations, paid all taxes diligently, and maintained my unit to high standards out of pride for our community and respect for visitors. This proposed legislation disregards those legal assurances and threatens to unravel the foundation upon which many of us built our ownership and livelihoods.
This legislation will not achieve its intended goal of solving the housing crisis.
Short-term rentals in apartment districts have been legally established for decades and play a crucial role in supporting Maui’s local economy. Removing them does not create new housing - it merely eliminates income for countless property owners, contractors, cleaners, local suppliers, and small businesses who depend on this industry. It does nothing to lower home prices, incentivize development, or create sustainable housing solutions.
The impact on the economy is real and immediate.
Tourism on Maui is already in decline. Property values are falling. Occupancy is soft. Families who once depended on rental income to maintain their units or offset mortgage and HOA costs are now struggling. Many local employees whose livelihoods are tied to the visitor economy face additional uncertainty. This bill would intensify those hardships.
Moreover, it undermines trust in our local governance.
Changing the rules retroactively after decades of legal precedent sends a message that property rights in Maui are not stable. That uncertainty not only hurts current owners: it discourages responsible investment in our community and signals to others that laws in Maui can be changed with little regard for those who have followed them in good faith.
I urge the Council to take a more thoughtful and inclusive approach to addressing Maui’s housing crisis, one that honors existing rights, prioritizes targeted affordable housing development, and brings stakeholders to the table to work toward real, lasting solutions.
Please do not approve this legislation. Let’s protect both our communities and our economy, without undermining the rights and futures of thousands of responsible property owners and local workers.
Mahalo for your time and your commitment to Maui’s future.
Aloha Council Members,
I strongly oppose Bill 9. I am one of the owners of Maui Paradise Properties and this bill would greatly affect our staff as well as all of our on island vendors. We are a small, locally owned and operated vacation rental business. We only do business with legal vacation rentals.
We would have to greatly reduce our 78 person staff and also largely cut down our 15 contracted cleaning teams we use as well as all of our other outside vendors such as handyman, electricians, remediation companies, glass companies, ac companies, plumbing companies, and the list goes on. I am very proud to say, we carefully choose our vendors and use locally owned small businesses for the majority of situations. The locksmith is good friends with one of our employees, the plumber lives up the street from me, the glass company is a long time friend, the electrician is surfing buddies with one of our employees, the handyman is a longtime friend and neighbor of another employee. We are so lucky to have a small business that also gets to employ other small businesses in our community. That is the way things should be, locally owned and locally referred. If this bill were to pass as it stands, this scenario would no longer be the case. These small businesses in our small community would hurt and many would end up going out of business. We aren’t a hotel, we are not corporate, these changes hurt the people who live here: not some large entity who takes the majority of the money off island.
We all understand affordable housing is an issue that we need to find a solution to together. I urge you to vote no on Bill 9 and let’s work together to find a better solution for our community that does not destroy our economy at the same time.
Mahalo for your time and consideration,
Kelly Hartman
Maui Paradise Properties
Mahalo for the opportunity to share my voice.
I have a lot of family on the island of Maui. They work hard to make an honest living. They are proud Hawaiians who do not always agree with all the things tourism brings to their home island. But they understand that tourism is an important part of Maui’s economics. Maui without the short-term rental will reduce jobs to people who are really counting on it. From the local Uber driver to the housekeeping business owners who do their best to compete with the “big buys” like Hilton to Four Seasons. Small business ownership is a dream for many locals. To have something of their very own and a sense of freedom, instead of being forced to work for “the man” or one of the many large hotel chains. The tax increase, the loss of jobs and taking away the sense of freedom small business ownership provide that this legislation present will destroy many local family’s livelihood and dreams. It will further threaten an already fragile Maui economy.
I strongly oppose this bill.
Mahalo nui to the Mayor and Lahaina Strong for this day! It's time to kick all the colonizers out and give us free housing! No need for scrap with these haoles right now but we should really bring back "Kill a Haole Day" soon.
I strongly oppose this Bill
Maui needs more small business , not less
How do plan on replacing the loss in revenue ?
DO NOT PASS THIS !!!
Tim Hehemann
(808) 740-2828
Thehemann@hawaii.rr.com
We are residents of Maui. Our family lives in Kihei. Our daughter goes to elementary school in Kihei. We are small business owners in Kihei. We are members of this community.
We strongly oppose this bill.
Trying to fix a problem with a solution that not only won't fix the issue but will actually make it worse isn't a good solution.
Short Term Rentals are the backbone of so many small businesses here on Maui. While many STR are not owned by locals, most small businesses are. Restaurants and food trucks, retail shops, service companies, tour operators and transportation companies and many others will be decimated. That not only impacts hundreds if not thousands of business owners but even more employees who will lose their jobs. Why would we try to fix a problem by hurting our own hard working residents and community members?
If you or your families livelihood isn't directly tied to tourism and you don't think it will impact you or your family you aren't looking at the facts. Eliminating STR on Maui will have an negative impact on everyone in Maui County while failing to deliver and real solution to the housing crisis.
Mahalo for giving me the opportunity to testify.
I oppose eliminating Short Term Rentals. I am a full time Maui resident. I volunteer in my Maui community. I am NOT a rich mainland investor. I worked several jobs to save enough money to start a small business to secure my future. I am not greedy. I am just trying to survive like everyone else. I have been a good citizens and community member. I’m afraid that this Bill will wipe me out of all the hard work and planning I have done to support myself. How will I pay my bills and survive?
Please consider the negative impact this is going to have on those of us that live here who are hard working, middle class, blue collar people who rely on our small businesses to survive. THE NEGATIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT THIS WILL HAVE IS GOING TO DEVASTATE OUR ISLAND! This has been documented in SEVERAL studies. There isn’t ANY study that states it will work. I feel like Maui is wanting to put the entire weight of the devastation of the fire on the shoulders of short-term rental owners to fix problems that we didn't create. I LEGALLY purchased a short-term rental property as my small business so I could feed myself and survive. Tourism IS our Industry. Please don’t eliminate our industry until there’s a viable industry to replace it so all of us Maui Residents can support ourselves. Many people are going to lose their small businesses and jobs. Many people are not going to be able to survive. Robbing one group to pay the other is not the solution… that’s just transferring the problem.
Please, let's work together to find a solution that works for everyone. We need to BUILD affordable housing, not take away other people’s homes to give to another… Affordable housing has been built in past decades with no issues all while the Minatoya STR properties were also operating with no issues. It is within the last decades that there’s been little affordable housing built. Let’s focus on WHY that is and that’s where we will find an actual Solution to our housing problem.
Please ask the question:
Where’s the Maui affordable housing fund dollars? What Affordable housing has been built with the money in this fund?
Please DO NOT APPROVE this bill. This bill is NOT the solution. It is only causing division and hurt.
Mahalo for your attention and your service.
Wendy King
June 9 will be our liberation day! Time to get rid of these colonizers! It's about time we get free housing!
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members,
My name is Rajiv Malik, my wife and i used our savings during the Covid crisis to invest in a short-term rental property at the Kapalua Resort in Maui County. We made this investment not just in ourselves but in the beauty and promise of Maui. I am writing today to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed legislation to phase out more than 7,000 vacation rentals. I ask that you are selective in identifying the properties that are identified in providing housing for our Maui people.
We have worked had to be good stewards of this property. While we have used the property for our own enjoyment, we do use it as a vacation rental. The unit typically generates close to $50,000 is annual taxes (property and occupancy related taxes) that go back to Maui county, an almost similar amount goes back to local resources that manage the property, provided maintenance, cleaning and various other services. In 2023 we did a major renovation using a local contractor and buying materials from local stores. Our vacation rental guests, usually families with young children find renting a vacation rental the most economic and only option to visit Maui. These guests visit local restaurants and stores and spend their hard-earned money in the Maui economy. Maintaining our home as a vacation rental matters to me and probably also to all the small local businesses our unit supports year-round.
Maintaining a home at the Kapalua Resort has not been easy. We’ve faced huge maintenance costs, special assessments, and massive increases in insurance after the fires. The annual AOAO expense alone is now over $32,000 annually and likely to increase further due to upcoming maintenance. The Kapalua Resort was also never intended to be constructed for workforce housing. The residences limit occupancy, prohibit pets, have limited parking and lack storage space.
This legislation will result in the loss of island required income, the loss of jobs, the loss of homes, and the loss of Maui people who would be forced to ultimately leave the island. As the County has approved a $1.56 billion budget for 2025, it seems feasible that measures should be enacted to attract visitors to the island to bolster our economy and support our financial needs rather than further discouraging such. I urge the Council to find a fair and balanced path forward — one that protects local jobs, supports the economy, and holds STR owners to high standards, instead of phasing us out completely. Please exclude the Kapalua Resort from any STR ban.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Rajiv Malik,
Kapalua Ridge Villas