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 To the Chair, Vice Chair, and Members of the Committee,
We are grateful for the opportunity to openly share our perspectives, hopefully leading to a democratically arrived decision that will benefit the majority of Maui Cty residents. I have reviewed the majority of submitted comments supporting and opposing a STR ban for Maui Cty. For clarity, while I visit Maui, my home is on Molokai'.
The economic and social impact of a ban will disproportionately adversely affect the entire Cty, particularly already struggling residents of Molokai'. Should this bill be passed, the exodus of residents, particularly our youth will likely accelerate due to a worsening economy.
You've had opportunity to review some compelling arguments and are tasked with reaching a decision that will directly affect all of Maui Cty going forward. These hearings hold the potential for collaboration and establishing a unified pathway going forward that will benefit the majority of the population, not just select foreign investors of the powerful hotel industry.
Mahalo
Rod
Aloha, my name is Jason I’m a full-time resident, and I run a small food truck that’s been serving our community — locals and visitors alike — with a lot of pride and aloha. Like many small businesses, we’ve been feeling the impact of the slowdown in tourism, and I wanted to share what this proposed phase-out of short-term rentals could mean for us.
A big part of my customer base is made up of visitors who stay in short-term rentals. They come back year after year — they know our menu, they bring their friends and families, and they support other local businesses too. These are the kinds of travelers who don’t just stick to resort areas — they seek out local flavors, support small vendors, and genuinely care about the island. If those rentals disappear, so do these loyal customers — and that’s something small food businesses like mine just can’t afford to lose.
I also employ 5 local workers — people who depend on this income to take care of their families. We’re not just a business — we’re a team of Maui residents trying to make it work in a place we love. These are real lives at stake — not numbers on paper.
What worries me most is that this phase-out feels like it’s pushing out the very people who are working hard to stay rooted here. I completely understand the housing crisis is serious, and I support finding real, long-term solutions. But removing our income without a solid plan for what comes next only makes it harder for small local families to survive.
We need the County to support locals not just in housing, but in employment, education, and opportunity. We need a balanced plan that protects the small businesses that are the heart of this island.
Please don’t move forward with this phase-out without including voices like ours. Let’s find a better way — one that protects jobs, preserves community, and helps Maui thrive for all of us.
Mahalo for your time, and for taking the time to listen to our story.
My name is Kimberly Harper, and I own a short-term rental property in 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.
After reviewing the comprehensive economic analysis conducted by UHERO, I am deeply concerned about the severe economic impacts this measure would have on our community.
My biggest concern has to do with unemployment, poverty and homelessness and I feel that if this proposition were to pass, we would see more of this on Maui. At a time when Maui’s community is still recovering from the devastating wildfires of 2023, we cannot afford to implement policies that would further destabilize the economy.
Owning a vacation rental has not been easy. We’ve faced huge maintenance costs, special assessments, and massive increases in insurance after the fires. These aren’t luxuries — they’re costs that ensure the property remains safe and functional. Short term rental income helps cover those costs while supporting local workers.
I’ve worked hard to be a responsible and community-oriented owner and I employ local service providers — cleaners, maintenance techs — many of whom have become family over the years. With tourism being down right now, they are struggling, just like in the early days of Covid.
We all know there is a shortage of housing in Maui and other parts of the country, and so let’s work together to come up with solutions and not take away from something that is already working, that adds financial stability to Maui.
I urge the Council to work with owners like me to find a fair and balanced path forward — one that protects local jobs, supports the economy, instead of phasing us out completely.
Aloha - I think that switching the current housing code is a bad idea. It will hurt our economy, hurt our tax base, kill jobs that locals depend on. Also, you can not discriminate and only sell these “apartments” to local people, so we’ll see a lot of mainlanders buying them up for vacation homes. What local family can afford a $1 million 2 bedroom condo with big HOA. The island is covered in developments of apartments and homes. How many more people do we need on the island? No more. It’s already to many
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
1. 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.
2. 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
1. 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.
2. 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
1. 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.
2. 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
1. 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.
2. 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.
I oppose this bill. There are 2 Minatoya apartments up for sale for $179,000. Why haven’t they sold? Because HOA fees are very very high on these old properties. Long terms rents will also be very high due to HOA fees. Cannot slash those fees as the boards have a fiduciary duty to keep the properties in good condition. These older properties require major infrastructure work (sewers, roofs etc) that cannot be ignored. Insurance premiums are crazy high and get higher every year. So if the ban is approved there will be thousands of apartments up for sale and no one will buy them due to the high carrying costs. This ban makes no economic sense at all.
To the Chair, Vice Chair, and Members of the Committee,
Thank you for the opportunity to share my perspective.
I own a short-term rental in Maui County and strongly oppose the proposal to phase out thousands of legally operating vacation rentals. I understand the need to protect local housing and preserve community character but this blanket approach would do more harm than good.
For years, I’ve run my rental with care and integrity. I don’t just host visitors ,I connect them with the island in ways that support local businesses, families, and traditions. From recommending neighborhood restaurants and family-run tour companies, to hiring local cleaners, landscapers, and handymen, the impact of my rental extends far beyond its four walls.
Guests often tell me they wouldn’t have chosen Maui if vacation rentals weren’t an option. That means fewer travelers and less revenue for small businesses that rely on tourism to survive. Eliminating these rentals risks pulling the rug out from under many parts of the local economy that have nothing to do with corporate tourism.
This property hasn’t been easy to maintain. Between insurance spikes after the fires, rising HOA dues, and special assessments, it’s a serious financial commitment. STR income helps cover those costs, not for luxury, but for basic safety and upkeep, and keeps local contractors employed.
There’s room for better regulation, but a sweeping phase-out isn’t the answer. I urge the Council to take a more balanced approach , one that addresses community concerns while recognizing that many STR owners are part of the solution, not the problem.
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members,
My name is Candice Boaz and I own a short-term rental property in Maui County. I can't believe the impact of the fires and the island. But with all the possible ways to support the island I oppose the approach to solve the problem with the proposed legislation to phase out more than 7,000 vacation rentals.
Our unit rents to many people who come and support the local businesses through the year, helping keeping the locals employed and businesses running. I have a large print out of local businesses to support in our kitchen and we try new places each time we are on Maui too. Our units employed plummer's, painters, contractors, at times, as well as gardeners, cleaners and property managers who all are locals. You can read our guest book on how many people feel the love of the locals and this experience is often a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit Maui.
Some of my guests say our home is their home and plan to come back every year. Most could not afford the expensive hotels in the area that don't have kitchens so they can enjoy the local restaurants but also buy from the local markets.
This past two years we have had a special assessments which we paid out over $50,000 to keep our place up to standards and we experienced a 30% increases in insurance after the fires. On island people had the same opportunity to buy our place when it was up for sale and could buy any condo currently for sale but it sounds like they need more affordable housing according to the many hours I spent listening to testimony, and not aged properties that come with huge costs.
This legislation does not seem like it will solve the issues of the locals. Many points of the study presented were from the last 20 years but our unit had been a STR for 40 years. At a time when the island is in need of support we need to find an alternative solution. One that all sides can support so locals have jobs and the economy is strong and STR owners in properties that have been operating this way for decade can also survive.
I oppose this bill. Taking away short-term rentals in the area that Papakea is, does not make sense. It is in an area that was designated as Hotel or Rental property. Papakea also employs over 180 people who would lose their jobs. The income earned on short term rentals helps the Maui economy. Please vote no on this bill.
I oppose this bill. Cancelling the STR short term rentals is a major mistake and severely damages owners and businesses alike who need the short term rentals for income including cleaners, contractors and more.
I support low cost housing but I am opposed to banning short term rental that are a legal property right. Many local individuals and business benefit by having STRs as an option for tourists. It provides local income to those people as well as spending to support the overall Maui economy. I do not support the preferential treatment of hotels that end up taking all their profits offshore away from the Maui economy.
Dear Chair Kama, Vice Chair Uʻu-Hodgins and Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee:
I oppose Bill 9 as drafted and propose that the Council amend Bill 9 to exclude Papakea Oceanfront Resort, which the County has historically identified as having A2-H2 zoning.
Background on Papakea
Papakea was initially marketed and sold as a legal vacation rental property before any zoning restrictions limited transient vacation rentals in apartment-zoned properties.
Papakea owners have been operating legal vacation rentals for almost fifty years.
Papakea has never been workforce housing so Papakea is not an example of a property that converted from workforce housing to transient vacation rental use.
The majority of units at Papakea are under 600 square feet and the property has limited parking.
Papakea is not in a residential neighborhood and is located alongside a long stretch of hotel-zoned properties and directly adjacent to multiple commercially-zoned properties.
Unlike apartment buildings designed for long-term residential use, Papakea has a front desk, an activity concierge, shared activity space, and numerous other common resort amenities.
Owners purchased condos at Papakea with the reasonable expectation that short-term rentals were legal based on ordinances as far back as 1989, and as recent as 2022.
Relying on Maui County ordinances and published documents, Hawaii state law, and constitutional protections, owners invested in costly renovations, furnishings, and long-term financial commitments such as mortgages that make any phase-out of short-term rental rights offensive to each buyer’s investment-backed expectations.
Papakea’s Contributions to the Community
Papakea’s resort operations provide full-time, benefited, employment for 35 local resident employees; some have worked at the property for over 17 years; some started in entry-level positions and worked into supervisory roles.
Papakea supports a wide variety of local trade professionals including pest control, HVAC, painting, plumbing, electrical, general contracting, masonry, tile and flooring, fitness instructors, entertainers, and tree trimming.
Individual Owner Contributions to the Community
Many small businesses owned and operated by local residents from the Maui community rely on Papakea short-term rentals including housekeepers, handymen, on-island agents, and contractors. These service providers set their own rates, work hours, select their own clients, work conditions and standard operating procedures. Shutting down short-term rentals at Papakea means telling local entrepreneurs who worked hard to build a small business that they need to just go get a job somewhere else to make less money, have less flexibility, and be subject to oppressive corporate policies.
Papakea STRs support the State of Hawaii and County of Maui through payment of property taxes (many at the short-term rental rate), Transient Accommodations Tax, General Excise Tax, and Maui County Transient Accommodations Tax.
Papakea guests support many small businesses on the island, including restaurants, food trucks, tour operators, activities, state parks, the national park, and shops.
Papakea owners and guests regularly participate in community activities, including volunteering at beach cleanups, the Maui Humane Society, the hospital, and many other local organizations, and contribute to local philanthropic and cultural efforts.
I would like to thank the committee for the opportunity to comment.
Good morning, I am a small condo owner on the West side, I have lived in it and used it as a STR. I pay a lot of taxes monthly that help support Maui County. I have watched my business collapse during this debate and so many small local businesses close. Small owners are the backbone of the economy and the community, I suggest you follow the Palm Springs plan and grandfather in current StR, then control how many future permits are granted. Carefully manage the tax revenue to the counties best advantage so all benefit. There are so many more intelligent options… please vote NO.
As owner and investor of an airb&b in Kihei, I strongly oppose the bill. I invested in my property because of my love for Maui. I would like to help boost maui's economy but by passing this bill, the county will be discouring investors like us from helping Maui's economy. This pending bill has greatly affected my revenues negatively. I can just imagine how it can affect it further when passed. Maui needs to promote good investors to boost Maui's economy - not discourage us.
The bill to eliminate STRs in apartment districts will not solve the housing issue. Far too many families will lose their jobs, businesses, and their own homes, causing entire families to leave, not just that employee. Do not eliminate this job creating sector of the tourism industry.
I am writing to you today in opposition of the decision before you to ban short term rentals in Maui County's Apartment Districts. I live in Western Canada and have had the pleasure of visiting Maui several times over the last few years, always staying in a short term rental in Kihei. My husband and I work hard so that we are able to vacation every few years, and the prices of short term rentals with kitchen facilities makes that possible to Maui.
We were preparing to visit again this winter and heard about the ban as we tried to make a booking and were shocked. In response to the news I looked at hotel options in the area and was devastated - prompting this letter to you. For middle class individuals like my husband and I, without these short term rentals we will not be able to visit Maui again. Even with the reduced prices of short term rentals, it still takes us years to save for a holiday like this. I hope in your decision you will consider ALL types of tourism to your beautiful county, not just visits from the few privileged individuals that can afford over $500 a night in accommodation that does not have a kitchen.
Maui is truly a piece of paradise I feel so lucky to have experienced - it would be tragic if its beauty was only reserved to a very small portion of society. I understand the cost of living has increased virtually everywhere in the world, and we are all dealing with these new challenges, but I hope as you make this decision you will keep in mind the importance of tourism to the Maui economy and all the regular people, with modest salaries, that help make that happen.
Aloha Council Members,
First, much thanks for your service to our community and to the people of the island of Maui. I am writing to respectfully ask that you oppose Bill 9. I fully appreciate the housing challenges on Maui and the challenges of the August 8th fires in Lahaina and Kula. As a property owner on Maui, solving these challenges by removing STRs is not the answer. As so eloquently stated by others in opposition to this bill, the impacts on our economy will be profound. I employ property management, trades people, provide a valuable service to our visitors who come to our island to enjoy themselves and spend their hard earned money on our island, supporting many small businesses. The housing challenges on Maui are profound, but Bill 9 is not the answer.
I do not envy the position you are in, nor do I pity you. The responsibility you take every day you walk into the chamber is one that carries weight. It is more than a salary, more than an obligation to your family, or your retirement plan. Then there are days when the minutia of policy making can get the best of you and you start to feel like a zombie - everything starts to feel the same.
Today is not that day. Today is the day you put on your big boy/girl pants and really decide which side of history you'd like to be on.
We are not asking you to wave a magic wand and make all of our troubles disappear. We are asking each and every one of you to take a bold step in a direction that is badly needed for right this second. To do something bold, to keep the most precious resource on this island kept in a state of abundancy - its people.
The opposition to this bill is asking you to prioritize their individual profits, their individual investments, and their individual opportunities over the the future of collective profits, collective investments, and collective opportunities.
As you and your staff start to comb through these comments/testimonies, please remember the thousands of your constituents who were not ready to submit comments today. Just know that they are not silent. They are fighting for their lives and doing their best to survive to make it another day here on Maui. We are fighting for our lives to stay here on Maui.
When you forget about the working class people of this place and you do not make it better for us, then you will continue to see an entitled upper and middle class population continue to move here and replace us.
My name is Nestor Ugale. I am writing to you as a private citizen and concerned constituent. I am a direct beneficiary of the industries (plantations and hotel/travel industry) that have fed and continues to feed the modern-day economy of Maui/Hawaii. the complicated relationship I have with this industry is just that, complicated. In a post-disaster economy, my efforts have been in supporting the Filipino community of Lahaina in providing resources and support for their individual recovery. For several generations now, this island economy has benefited off of the hard work provided by working class people like Filipinos. We know that we can and most likely will contribute to the rebuild and growth of Maui once again. Help us to keep our families here on Maui.
No matter which realm I operate out of, what is clear is that we have to prioritize housing for our workforce, not for investors. This is a long game to recovery, and this is just one piece of the equation. Your support of this bill/measure will even that playing field.
Aloha To the Chair, Vice Chair, and Members of the Committee,
We are grateful for the opportunity to openly share our perspectives, hopefully leading to a democratically arrived decision that will benefit the majority of Maui Cty residents. I have reviewed the majority of submitted comments supporting and opposing a STR ban for Maui Cty. For clarity, while I visit Maui, my home is on Molokai'.
The economic and social impact of a ban will disproportionately adversely affect the entire Cty, particularly already struggling residents of Molokai'. Should this bill be passed, the exodus of residents, particularly our youth will likely accelerate due to a worsening economy.
You've had opportunity to review some compelling arguments and are tasked with reaching a decision that will directly affect all of Maui Cty going forward. These hearings hold the potential for collaboration and establishing a unified pathway going forward that will benefit the majority of the population, not just select foreign investors of the powerful hotel industry.
Mahalo
Rod
Aloha, my name is Jason I’m a full-time resident, and I run a small food truck that’s been serving our community — locals and visitors alike — with a lot of pride and aloha. Like many small businesses, we’ve been feeling the impact of the slowdown in tourism, and I wanted to share what this proposed phase-out of short-term rentals could mean for us.
A big part of my customer base is made up of visitors who stay in short-term rentals. They come back year after year — they know our menu, they bring their friends and families, and they support other local businesses too. These are the kinds of travelers who don’t just stick to resort areas — they seek out local flavors, support small vendors, and genuinely care about the island. If those rentals disappear, so do these loyal customers — and that’s something small food businesses like mine just can’t afford to lose.
I also employ 5 local workers — people who depend on this income to take care of their families. We’re not just a business — we’re a team of Maui residents trying to make it work in a place we love. These are real lives at stake — not numbers on paper.
What worries me most is that this phase-out feels like it’s pushing out the very people who are working hard to stay rooted here. I completely understand the housing crisis is serious, and I support finding real, long-term solutions. But removing our income without a solid plan for what comes next only makes it harder for small local families to survive.
We need the County to support locals not just in housing, but in employment, education, and opportunity. We need a balanced plan that protects the small businesses that are the heart of this island.
Please don’t move forward with this phase-out without including voices like ours. Let’s find a better way — one that protects jobs, preserves community, and helps Maui thrive for all of us.
Mahalo for your time, and for taking the time to listen to our story.
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members,
My name is Kimberly Harper, and I own a short-term rental property in 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.
After reviewing the comprehensive economic analysis conducted by UHERO, I am deeply concerned about the severe economic impacts this measure would have on our community.
My biggest concern has to do with unemployment, poverty and homelessness and I feel that if this proposition were to pass, we would see more of this on Maui. At a time when Maui’s community is still recovering from the devastating wildfires of 2023, we cannot afford to implement policies that would further destabilize the economy.
Owning a vacation rental has not been easy. We’ve faced huge maintenance costs, special assessments, and massive increases in insurance after the fires. These aren’t luxuries — they’re costs that ensure the property remains safe and functional. Short term rental income helps cover those costs while supporting local workers.
I’ve worked hard to be a responsible and community-oriented owner and I employ local service providers — cleaners, maintenance techs — many of whom have become family over the years. With tourism being down right now, they are struggling, just like in the early days of Covid.
We all know there is a shortage of housing in Maui and other parts of the country, and so let’s work together to come up with solutions and not take away from something that is already working, that adds financial stability to Maui.
I urge the Council to work with owners like me to find a fair and balanced path forward — one that protects local jobs, supports the economy, instead of phasing us out completely.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Harper
Aloha - I think that switching the current housing code is a bad idea. It will hurt our economy, hurt our tax base, kill jobs that locals depend on. Also, you can not discriminate and only sell these “apartments” to local people, so we’ll see a lot of mainlanders buying them up for vacation homes. What local family can afford a $1 million 2 bedroom condo with big HOA. The island is covered in developments of apartments and homes. How many more people do we need on the island? No more. It’s already to many
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
1. 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.
2. 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
1. 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.
2. 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
1. 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.
2. 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
1. 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.
2. 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,
Tara Gallagher
I would like to keep my timeshare room number 707, please Betty and I Russell.Thank you
please see attachment
I oppose this bill. There are 2 Minatoya apartments up for sale for $179,000. Why haven’t they sold? Because HOA fees are very very high on these old properties. Long terms rents will also be very high due to HOA fees. Cannot slash those fees as the boards have a fiduciary duty to keep the properties in good condition. These older properties require major infrastructure work (sewers, roofs etc) that cannot be ignored. Insurance premiums are crazy high and get higher every year. So if the ban is approved there will be thousands of apartments up for sale and no one will buy them due to the high carrying costs. This ban makes no economic sense at all.
To the Chair, Vice Chair, and Members of the Committee,
Thank you for the opportunity to share my perspective.
I own a short-term rental in Maui County and strongly oppose the proposal to phase out thousands of legally operating vacation rentals. I understand the need to protect local housing and preserve community character but this blanket approach would do more harm than good.
For years, I’ve run my rental with care and integrity. I don’t just host visitors ,I connect them with the island in ways that support local businesses, families, and traditions. From recommending neighborhood restaurants and family-run tour companies, to hiring local cleaners, landscapers, and handymen, the impact of my rental extends far beyond its four walls.
Guests often tell me they wouldn’t have chosen Maui if vacation rentals weren’t an option. That means fewer travelers and less revenue for small businesses that rely on tourism to survive. Eliminating these rentals risks pulling the rug out from under many parts of the local economy that have nothing to do with corporate tourism.
This property hasn’t been easy to maintain. Between insurance spikes after the fires, rising HOA dues, and special assessments, it’s a serious financial commitment. STR income helps cover those costs, not for luxury, but for basic safety and upkeep, and keeps local contractors employed.
There’s room for better regulation, but a sweeping phase-out isn’t the answer. I urge the Council to take a more balanced approach , one that addresses community concerns while recognizing that many STR owners are part of the solution, not the problem.
With respect and appreciation,
Matt Marshall
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members,
My name is Candice Boaz and I own a short-term rental property in Maui County. I can't believe the impact of the fires and the island. But with all the possible ways to support the island I oppose the approach to solve the problem with the proposed legislation to phase out more than 7,000 vacation rentals.
Our unit rents to many people who come and support the local businesses through the year, helping keeping the locals employed and businesses running. I have a large print out of local businesses to support in our kitchen and we try new places each time we are on Maui too. Our units employed plummer's, painters, contractors, at times, as well as gardeners, cleaners and property managers who all are locals. You can read our guest book on how many people feel the love of the locals and this experience is often a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit Maui.
Some of my guests say our home is their home and plan to come back every year. Most could not afford the expensive hotels in the area that don't have kitchens so they can enjoy the local restaurants but also buy from the local markets.
This past two years we have had a special assessments which we paid out over $50,000 to keep our place up to standards and we experienced a 30% increases in insurance after the fires. On island people had the same opportunity to buy our place when it was up for sale and could buy any condo currently for sale but it sounds like they need more affordable housing according to the many hours I spent listening to testimony, and not aged properties that come with huge costs.
This legislation does not seem like it will solve the issues of the locals. Many points of the study presented were from the last 20 years but our unit had been a STR for 40 years. At a time when the island is in need of support we need to find an alternative solution. One that all sides can support so locals have jobs and the economy is strong and STR owners in properties that have been operating this way for decade can also survive.
Mahalo for reading my concerns,
Candice Boaz
Candice Boaz@gmail.com
I oppose this bill. Taking away short-term rentals in the area that Papakea is, does not make sense. It is in an area that was designated as Hotel or Rental property. Papakea also employs over 180 people who would lose their jobs. The income earned on short term rentals helps the Maui economy. Please vote no on this bill.
I oppose this bill. Cancelling the STR short term rentals is a major mistake and severely damages owners and businesses alike who need the short term rentals for income including cleaners, contractors and more.
I support low cost housing but I am opposed to banning short term rental that are a legal property right. Many local individuals and business benefit by having STRs as an option for tourists. It provides local income to those people as well as spending to support the overall Maui economy. I do not support the preferential treatment of hotels that end up taking all their profits offshore away from the Maui economy.
Dear Chair Kama, Vice Chair Uʻu-Hodgins and Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee:
I oppose Bill 9 as drafted and propose that the Council amend Bill 9 to exclude Papakea Oceanfront Resort, which the County has historically identified as having A2-H2 zoning.
Background on Papakea
Papakea was initially marketed and sold as a legal vacation rental property before any zoning restrictions limited transient vacation rentals in apartment-zoned properties.
Papakea owners have been operating legal vacation rentals for almost fifty years.
Papakea has never been workforce housing so Papakea is not an example of a property that converted from workforce housing to transient vacation rental use.
The majority of units at Papakea are under 600 square feet and the property has limited parking.
Papakea is not in a residential neighborhood and is located alongside a long stretch of hotel-zoned properties and directly adjacent to multiple commercially-zoned properties.
Unlike apartment buildings designed for long-term residential use, Papakea has a front desk, an activity concierge, shared activity space, and numerous other common resort amenities.
Owners purchased condos at Papakea with the reasonable expectation that short-term rentals were legal based on ordinances as far back as 1989, and as recent as 2022.
Relying on Maui County ordinances and published documents, Hawaii state law, and constitutional protections, owners invested in costly renovations, furnishings, and long-term financial commitments such as mortgages that make any phase-out of short-term rental rights offensive to each buyer’s investment-backed expectations.
Papakea’s Contributions to the Community
Papakea’s resort operations provide full-time, benefited, employment for 35 local resident employees; some have worked at the property for over 17 years; some started in entry-level positions and worked into supervisory roles.
Papakea supports a wide variety of local trade professionals including pest control, HVAC, painting, plumbing, electrical, general contracting, masonry, tile and flooring, fitness instructors, entertainers, and tree trimming.
Individual Owner Contributions to the Community
Many small businesses owned and operated by local residents from the Maui community rely on Papakea short-term rentals including housekeepers, handymen, on-island agents, and contractors. These service providers set their own rates, work hours, select their own clients, work conditions and standard operating procedures. Shutting down short-term rentals at Papakea means telling local entrepreneurs who worked hard to build a small business that they need to just go get a job somewhere else to make less money, have less flexibility, and be subject to oppressive corporate policies.
Papakea STRs support the State of Hawaii and County of Maui through payment of property taxes (many at the short-term rental rate), Transient Accommodations Tax, General Excise Tax, and Maui County Transient Accommodations Tax.
Papakea guests support many small businesses on the island, including restaurants, food trucks, tour operators, activities, state parks, the national park, and shops.
Papakea owners and guests regularly participate in community activities, including volunteering at beach cleanups, the Maui Humane Society, the hospital, and many other local organizations, and contribute to local philanthropic and cultural efforts.
I would like to thank the committee for the opportunity to comment.
Janis and John Haine
Good morning, I am a small condo owner on the West side, I have lived in it and used it as a STR. I pay a lot of taxes monthly that help support Maui County. I have watched my business collapse during this debate and so many small local businesses close. Small owners are the backbone of the economy and the community, I suggest you follow the Palm Springs plan and grandfather in current StR, then control how many future permits are granted. Carefully manage the tax revenue to the counties best advantage so all benefit. There are so many more intelligent options… please vote NO.
As owner and investor of an airb&b in Kihei, I strongly oppose the bill. I invested in my property because of my love for Maui. I would like to help boost maui's economy but by passing this bill, the county will be discouring investors like us from helping Maui's economy. This pending bill has greatly affected my revenues negatively. I can just imagine how it can affect it further when passed. Maui needs to promote good investors to boost Maui's economy - not discourage us.
The bill to eliminate STRs in apartment districts will not solve the housing issue. Far too many families will lose their jobs, businesses, and their own homes, causing entire families to leave, not just that employee. Do not eliminate this job creating sector of the tourism industry.
I am writing to you today in opposition of the decision before you to ban short term rentals in Maui County's Apartment Districts. I live in Western Canada and have had the pleasure of visiting Maui several times over the last few years, always staying in a short term rental in Kihei. My husband and I work hard so that we are able to vacation every few years, and the prices of short term rentals with kitchen facilities makes that possible to Maui.
We were preparing to visit again this winter and heard about the ban as we tried to make a booking and were shocked. In response to the news I looked at hotel options in the area and was devastated - prompting this letter to you. For middle class individuals like my husband and I, without these short term rentals we will not be able to visit Maui again. Even with the reduced prices of short term rentals, it still takes us years to save for a holiday like this. I hope in your decision you will consider ALL types of tourism to your beautiful county, not just visits from the few privileged individuals that can afford over $500 a night in accommodation that does not have a kitchen.
Maui is truly a piece of paradise I feel so lucky to have experienced - it would be tragic if its beauty was only reserved to a very small portion of society. I understand the cost of living has increased virtually everywhere in the world, and we are all dealing with these new challenges, but I hope as you make this decision you will keep in mind the importance of tourism to the Maui economy and all the regular people, with modest salaries, that help make that happen.
Sincerely,
Meriah Sawchuk
Aloha Council Members,
First, much thanks for your service to our community and to the people of the island of Maui. I am writing to respectfully ask that you oppose Bill 9. I fully appreciate the housing challenges on Maui and the challenges of the August 8th fires in Lahaina and Kula. As a property owner on Maui, solving these challenges by removing STRs is not the answer. As so eloquently stated by others in opposition to this bill, the impacts on our economy will be profound. I employ property management, trades people, provide a valuable service to our visitors who come to our island to enjoy themselves and spend their hard earned money on our island, supporting many small businesses. The housing challenges on Maui are profound, but Bill 9 is not the answer.
Respectfully,
Chris Faris
County Councilmembers,
I do not envy the position you are in, nor do I pity you. The responsibility you take every day you walk into the chamber is one that carries weight. It is more than a salary, more than an obligation to your family, or your retirement plan. Then there are days when the minutia of policy making can get the best of you and you start to feel like a zombie - everything starts to feel the same.
Today is not that day. Today is the day you put on your big boy/girl pants and really decide which side of history you'd like to be on.
We are not asking you to wave a magic wand and make all of our troubles disappear. We are asking each and every one of you to take a bold step in a direction that is badly needed for right this second. To do something bold, to keep the most precious resource on this island kept in a state of abundancy - its people.
The opposition to this bill is asking you to prioritize their individual profits, their individual investments, and their individual opportunities over the the future of collective profits, collective investments, and collective opportunities.
As you and your staff start to comb through these comments/testimonies, please remember the thousands of your constituents who were not ready to submit comments today. Just know that they are not silent. They are fighting for their lives and doing their best to survive to make it another day here on Maui. We are fighting for our lives to stay here on Maui.
When you forget about the working class people of this place and you do not make it better for us, then you will continue to see an entitled upper and middle class population continue to move here and replace us.
My name is Nestor Ugale. I am writing to you as a private citizen and concerned constituent. I am a direct beneficiary of the industries (plantations and hotel/travel industry) that have fed and continues to feed the modern-day economy of Maui/Hawaii. the complicated relationship I have with this industry is just that, complicated. In a post-disaster economy, my efforts have been in supporting the Filipino community of Lahaina in providing resources and support for their individual recovery. For several generations now, this island economy has benefited off of the hard work provided by working class people like Filipinos. We know that we can and most likely will contribute to the rebuild and growth of Maui once again. Help us to keep our families here on Maui.
No matter which realm I operate out of, what is clear is that we have to prioritize housing for our workforce, not for investors. This is a long game to recovery, and this is just one piece of the equation. Your support of this bill/measure will even that playing field.
I am humbly asking you to put us first.