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)
My name is Frank Balluff, and I own a short-term rental property in Maui County. I am writing to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed legislation that aims to phase out over 7,000 vacation rentals.
As a responsible and community-oriented owner, I have taken great care to ensure the well-being of my guests and the local community. I have personally recommended local restaurants and tour guides in my welcome guide and have employed local service providers such as cleaners, maintenance technicians, and landscapers. Many of these individuals have become like family to me over the years. My guests often leave Maui with a stronger connection to the island due to the personal experiences they had in my home.
Some of my guests have even expressed that they wouldn’t have visited Maui at all if they hadn’t had the option of a vacation rental. This is not only significant to me but also to all the small businesses they supported during their stay.
Owning in this complex is extremely expensive. We have faced substantial maintenance costs, special assessments, and significant increases in insurance after the fires. These expenses are not luxuries but necessary costs that ensure the property’s safety, functionality, and appeal. STR income helps cover these costs while supporting local workers.
I believe this legislation appears rushed and one-sided. I urge the Council to collaborate with owners like me to find a fair and balanced approach forward. This approach should protect local jobs, support the economy, and hold STR owners to high standards, rather than completely phasing us out.
Dear Chair Kama, Vice Chair U’u-Hodgins, and Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee: Thank you for taking on this huge challenge of solving the housing shortage in Maui. It is a serious problem that has been accentuated by the displaced residents after the Lahaina fire. We understand and respect that the committee needs to look at all possible solutions while taking into account the subsequent economic impacts to Maui as a result. It also needs to respect the rights of current stakeholders. The call for public input to the process is much appreciated.
With this in mind, as drafted we oppose Bill 9 and propose that the Council amend the Bill. We ask that Papakea Oceanfront Resort be excluded from the bill. Maui County and the State of Hawaii have identified Papakea as a resort property with partial hotel zoning for decades. It is our view that it should maintain this designation. Papakea, as it currently operates, is a signifcant economic driver and employer in West Maui through property taxes, employment and the support of multiple local small businesses. All of these advantages would be lost if the property were rezoned as these would not be supported in the same way by residential zoning.
Mahalo.
Wayne and Sharon Crowe
3543 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Apartment C404
Aloha: i’m writing an opposition to converting short term rental houses on the Montoya list to residential. My wife and I have owned a condo for seven years at Polynesian Shores in Kahana. It’s small with one bedroom, one parking stall and no storage. We bought it because of the friendly community and location to amenities we enjoy. In our time there, we’ve employed a construction company, engineers, landscapers, tv and internet providers, housekeepers, remodeler, painter, glass company, furniture stores, restaurants, breweries, grocery stores, clothing stores, hardware stores, rental companies and food trucks. We’ve made friendships and helped each other out over the years. When the fire happened, we opened our place to those in need for free. If you prohibit us and our Polynesian Shore Ohana from renting our places and doing with them as we please, you’ll break the working, supportive relationships we’ve built over the years by eliminating the tourist revenue we get. We’ll loose the tax base, the income revenue, the jobs, the services and most importantly the network that sustains us in good times and bad. The proposed elimination of short-term rentals will do more harm than good while undoing everything the Polynesian Shores Ohana has built over 50 years.
Tara Wells
2191 S. Kihei Road, #3320
Kihei, Hi 96753
June 5, 2025
County Council Members, Housing and Land Use Committee Members and Mayor Bissen,
I STRONGLY OPPOSE Bill 9 (as proposed) to phase out the Minatoya Listed condos.
I don’t believe the bill is thought out or sustainable. A year ago, Mayor Bissen wanted all STR’s eliminated from that list. Two months ago, he announced that he only needed 2000 units and was considering going after work for housing only. Today, you suggest you want to eliminate them all STR units on the Minatoya list by 2030. Where is the rationale? That housing would be available 7 years after the Lahaina fire.
Capturing all units on the Minatoya list also does not make sense. They are not all alike. Some base buildings are 3 or 4 storey wood frame walk up units with no full-time staff. Others, as in Maui Vista, where I own, include:
3 pools,
6 tennis courts
3 elevators
A full time General Manager and Full time Office Assistant.
5 cleaning staff
2 maintenance men
4 full time contracted landscapers
Without a mortgage, but including HOA fees, taxes, insurance, electricity etc., my base cost is around $2800 a month, for a 588 sq. ft. one bedroom unit. That does not include any repair and maintenance or profit. How can a local Maui resident afford that kind of rent?
Whether you like it or not, tourism is the lifeblood on the islands and Maui’s economic driver. It is what keeps money flowing to handle employment, retail and restaurant, roads, public works, parks and rec, schools, police, ambulance and fire. This proposed bill is not sustainable and will cripple Maui’s Economy.
"No one knows how better to care for Hawaiʻi, our island home, than those of us who have lived here for thousands of years"
Haunani Kay-Trask
I thank you for this important meeting and Bill 9 as it reflects the urgent importance of living standards and respect for residents of Maui versus those eating up the resources and space with their colonial entitlement occupations. I support Bill 9. The long term residents are the heart of the community. I am a settler from the continent and have lived here for only 14 years, I do not own a home or land and rent with my partner who is from the islands. We work in the community, we give to our community, learn from our community and are accountable to our community. My contribution to Maui doesn’t just come from the money I give to restaurants or stores or small businesses, or my taxes but comes from the daily boots on the ground, the hands in the soil, and the accountability that I offer everyday that I live here. It is so clearly entitled supremacy I read and when I listen to the occupied owners of the STRʻs. They think they are what makes Maui function or that they discovered Kapalua and somehow they made it a place. Somehow they think their money is the community. It is horrific as the continuation of predominantly American occupiers think they are what makes Hawaiʻi work. I know that local families do own STRʻs and this income supports their families. I know that solutions to housing are going to hurt some people but the majority of people who own do NOT want to live here and are not solutions to the massive crisis that Maui residents face everyday.
As far as Bill 9 I do have questions, the amendments made on June 3rd to make this go into effect 5 years from now. This bill needs to go into effect much sooner as in 5 years there is a devastation effect to Hawaii at large with the lack of housing and the detrimental effects of colonial occupation for tourism. I understand there are complications for all these owners that think they deserve to take up space because they bought in an illegally occupied nation. Yet 5 years seems way too long given the dire circumstance of housing needs. I also question the stated amendment reading “Clarifies that validly existing time share units or time share plans are exempt from being phased out;” how is it possible that these time shares are given exemptions from phase out? Given the issues with overuse of water, the diaspora, homeless disaster, illegal occupation, Hawaiian homelands still not being awarded, why would these STRʻs be given preferential treatment? Why are there exemptions given to them versus the actual people of Hawaii that have not been given any exceptions for land and housing that has been taken from them. The days of giving colonial pleasures exceptions over local families' living has come to end. I would also hope that the council continues to place restrictions on neighborhood owned vacation rental houses to restore a sense of place for the people who live here and the safety for the children.
I understand that the taxes and all the things give money but the fact is with that comes entitlement. The residents of this place cannot continue to be second-class citizens. I know there are good people who live here that live in other nations and that they love Maui. Yet the majority of what this brings is the contribution to how things work such as, making the prices skyrocket, the beaches overcrowded, the community their servants, the water disappear, the traffic unbearable, maintenance of homelessness and the diaspora of local families. I ask how many trees have they planted for the native ecosystem, how many streams have they worked to protect, how many teachers have they thanked, how many families have they helped to rise, how many local neighbors do they know, how many legislative sessions have they stood with local families? These are the differences of occupation owners versus people living in a place. The short term rentals are houses that should be for families that live here. Long term families should not be without housing so out of town people can come occupy when they or their friends like. The data is in the short term rentals and Minatoya list needs to be dealt with. I am thankful for the Maui County council and the Mayor for standing for the people. I support Bill 9 and stand with the people of Lahaina Strong, Lahaina Community Land trust, Maui Housing Hui, HAPA, and the other countless living and past residents of Maui and the need for housing to remain accessible and community owned. Phase out these STRʻs and if the owners are not happy that is ok. Local families are not happy, nor consenting, or thriving from all the years of illegal and continued suffering because of American occupation.
I support Bill 9. Housing for the community first and now.
Thank you Pahnelopi McKenzie
Aloha,
My name is Faith Cummins, and I am a full-time resident of Maui County. My family has been a part of the Lahaina community for 19 years. I have a daughter, grandson, and son who live here on Maui. My son is a proud graduate of Lahainaluna High School and UH Maui.
I am here today to strongly oppose the proposed legislation to remove 7,000 short-term rental units.
As a business owner who lost two offices, two warehouses, and a laundry facility in the Aug 8th Lahaina fires, I can personally attest to the devastation this community has endured. Our company, Maui Paradise Properties, employs 78 dedicated individuals. 23 of our employees, including myself, were displaced or lost everything If this legislation passes, we will be forced to lay off half of our MPP workforce and cease using half of our local vendors who are Maui small business owners. These include our 13 contracted cleaning companies and 10 different outside vendors among many other businesses that receive employment directly and indirectly through our company. We are not talking about numbers; these are folks who rely on this work to take care of their families. These job losses will ripple through our community, affecting countless families and local businesses.
In the past year, we’ve seen significant increases in insurance premiums, maintenance expenses, and labor costs across Maui. For many condominium properties, especially those along the lower road in Honokowai, AOAO (Association of Apartment Owners) fees have risen to levels comparable to monthly rents typically considered affordable for working families.
This makes it increasingly difficult to rent these units as long-term rentals at affordable rates.
To provide some context, I’ve reviewed the most current AOAO fees listed in the MLS for several properties in this area. These fees are not associated with luxury amenities or enhanced landscaping services. Rather, they reflect the rising costs tied directly to essential building maintenance, property insurance, and other operational necessities—costs that are passed directly to individual owners.
1bd /1 ba Paki Maui - $1324
2 bd /2ba Paki Maui _$2898
1bd/1ba Kulakane $1202
1bd/1ba Kaleialoha $1202
1bd/1ba Kahana Reef $2005
1bd/1ba Hale Mahina $1237
1bd/1ba Kuleana $1332
1bd/1ba Noelani $1287
2bd/2ba Lokelani $1697
These monthly fees, when combined with mortgage and individual insurance, create a financial burden that is unsustainable for many owners, and difficult to absorb under long-term rental market rates.
This phase-out feels like it’s directly impacting the very people who are striving to make a life here: Maui families doing their best to stay afloat.
We understand the concerns around housing — and we agree that real, lasting solutions are needed. But removing a vital source of income without a clear, actionable plan only makes things more difficult for those who are already struggling.
We urge the County to protect residents on all fronts — not just in terms of housing, but also in employment, education, access to essential services, and long-term economic opportunity. We need a balanced and thoughtful approach — one that supports working families instead of dismantling the income streams they rely on to remain here.
We can no longer afford to keep kicking this issue down the road. Our community needs decisive leadership that prioritizes the long-term health and well-being of our residents. It's time to make responsible, forward-thinking decisions that support the stability of our population and the future of Maui.
My name is Matt Cartwright, and I own a short-term rental property in Maui County. I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed legislation to phase out more than 7,000 vacation rentals.
For the past 10 years, my partner and I have called Maui our second home. This isn't a business investment, it's where our ohana lives. I have more friends on Maui than on the mainland, including friends who have lived here for over 35 years and those who are native-born. When the fires devastated our community, we watched friends lose their businesses and livelihoods. Our short-term rental exists to maintain these deep relationships, not to generate profit.
This rushed legislation will harm the very people it claims to help. I'm thinking of Al, who owns Aloha Prime, John at Hi-Tech Sports, Leslie at the Marriott, Mioo in real estate, Shelby at Paia Fish Market, Dale at MPP Properties, and Darrin, who maintains our home. These are real people whose livelihoods depend on a healthy tourism economy. The mere discussion of this bill has already damaged tourism and hurt these hardworking individuals.
Our property doesn’t even break even, let alone make a profit. Between rising maintenance costs, insurance premiums, assessments, and mortgage payments, we're working constantly just to keep up. We're not wealthy investors extracting profits. We're people invested in this community who are struggling like everyone else.
Maui's housing crisis existed long before the fires and won't be solved by eliminating vacation rentals and STRs. Instead of creating division when our community needs unity, we should focus our energy on collaborative solutions that bring together everyone who loves Maui.
I urge you to vote NO on Bill 9. Rather than rushing through legislation that will harm our economy and divide our community, let's work together to find real solutions to the housing crisis that respect both residents' needs and the relationships that make Maui special.
We oppose this bill. We strongly disagree that this bill or any form of similar bill will improve availability of affordable housing units.
We are full time residents of Maui and we own a one bedroom unit in a 35 year old condo complex that is on the Minatoya list. This unit can NOT be rented (or purchased) at an affordable rate based on FACTUAL data: The cost of this unit would include a monthly mortgage note (principal and interest) of approximately $3,750 (assuming 20% down with sales price at $650,000*, and current mortgage rate with excellent credit); monthly condo fee of $967; special assessment for increased insurance post fire of $95 per month; monthly individual HO-6 condo insurance of $62; monthly property tax (based on long-term rental rate and long-term rental exemption) of $110; maintenance and repairs broken down monthly at $250. If we assume ZERO profit, and ZERO spent on a property manager, the TOTAL COST would be $5,234 to BREAK EVEN. Please note that many of those costs will increase each year. (*The price of $650,000 is estimated based on a 30% reduction from the current Maui County assessed value, as the UHERO report suggests.)
Based on this cost (again, REAL FACTUAL DATA), this is in no way an affordable property based on the current Affordable sales and rent guidelines on the Maui County website at:
https://www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/146501/2024--28-Affordable-Sales--Rental-Guidelines
The monthly costs to a renter or someone purchasing this unit FAR EXCEEDS the posted affordable rates.
The draft bill has been modified to include a future date in 2030 to phase out the transient vacation rental uses in the apartment districts. There is no date in the future that changes the fact that these are not and will never be affordable based on the data. In fact, as these old units get even older, there will be more capital projects requiring more special assessments, making them even MORE UNAFFORDABLE.
Again, we strongly oppose this bill and would encourage our county leaders to explore and support real solutions to provide real livable options for affordable housing units like Kaulana Mahina and other residential developments that are built specifically with families and long term living in mind. More efficient permitting processes may help accelerate these projects.
We are also aware that such a drastic change to reduce the number of STRs will most likely have a catastrophic impact on this islands economy and its people. This cannot be ignored.
Units that rent short term employ so many local people. These local people depend on STRs in order to live on Maui and take care of their own families. They have told us this when we have employed them. From cleaning professionals to plumbers, electricians, HVAC companies, property management companies, general contractors, painters, handyman services, roofers, flooring installers, landscapers, retail stores for items that routinely get purchased/replaced and so many more. As property owners, we know that we have utilized these types of professional services much more when a unit is an STR than when it is a long term rental.
The impact to all other businesses like restaurants, activity providers, tour companies, retail stores, etc. will be significant. All of these businesses did not develop over night. As the STRs increased, so did the local businesses and the number of locals they employ.
Visitors who stay at STRs may not be able to afford many of the hotels with exorbitant nightly prices, parking fees, and resort fees. If they do, they may be spending far less at local businesses because their travel budget will be shifted to cover the hotel lodging. Or they may choose another destination all together. Either way, resulting in a negative impact to local business. Incidentally, the hotel industry is taking quite a bit of their profits off this island.
Please consider real factual data regarding affordability, and consider the negative impact to thousands of local residents.
Mahalo for considering this testimony.
Michelle and Brandon
My cousin works for the county and has followed closely what's happening. She said that council has their mind made up in so far as there really are not new facts anymore. They know from 3 reports that not a single economist thinks this will do anything other than devastate the economy. But she also said those who support the bill don't care about the economy and I know this myself because so many of my friends aren't money people so lots of county money or not and they not much care.
Those in support say that this is about housing and we have to take them on that. I know some hate tourists but I know allot of them woudl just like housing to be solved. We all do.
If I drop a ball it will hit the ground. If I throw it into the air, it will hit the ground. That's gravity at work.
I had to look this up but remember it from school.
For that baseball to be thrown in the air and not have gravity bring it back it would need to travel at 7 miles PER SECOND. Someone figured that out. We know this is as a fact and its why we can send rockets into space. No one has done this for phasing these places out. There is literal no escape velocity calculation for converting these places into homes for our community.
Imagine when NASA decided to put the first rocket into space they did it with no math being done. Just shouting "we're sending this rocket to space", and no one was allowed to ask how, or be told how much it might cost, or weather people on it might die.
Imagine if every single expert said it was a bad idea, people were going to die,rocket would burn up, and billions of dollars would vanish would it seem reckless to do it anyway.?
Not one expert thinks thi phase out is a good idea, that it's financially wise or that it will provide any affordable housing. 6% reduction in rent. That's driving past Panda Express not through it once a month. Maybe listen to the experts ont his one and not the ones with no money no jobs, no degrees and no expertise in this area. Trump surrounds himself with non-experts and look what that has done for america
Submitted for the Maui County Council Meeting on June 9, 2025
Aloha Chair and Councilmembers,
My name is Rhonda Alexander Monkres, and I am writing on behalf of myself and my ʻohana as a lifelong and generational resident of Hawaiʻi, living here on Maui. I write in strong and unwavering support of Bill 9 to phase out short-term rentals on the Minatoya list.
This issue is personal. I am a mother of two young adults — Kainoa, age 21, and Puamana, age 19 — who are working hard to build their lives here on Maui. They want to live, work, raise their families, and contribute to this community. But like so many of their peers, the possibility of a stable future here is slipping further and further from reach. They are not alone — countless local families are being priced out, pushed out, or forced to live in overcrowded or unsafe housing. This is not just a housing crisis. It is a crisis of identity, equity, and survival.
The cost of doing nothing is the quiet displacement of those who are Maui.
We cannot continue to prioritize visitor accommodations while our own keiki are unhoused, while local families are forced to leave their island home, or live with multiple generations under one roof — not by choice, but out of necessity. Let’s be clear: short-term rentals are a root cause of our housing crisis. Thousands of homes have been taken off the market and converted into profit-driven vacation units — homes that could and should have been available to local families.
They’ve been turned over to the hands of people who do not live here — people who may say they love Maui, but whose connection is transactional, not rooted. The kind of love that holds this place together is found in neighbors who show up, kūpuna who guide us, parents who raise the next generation, and communities who lean on each other. That is aloha. That is Maui.
As part of Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama Disaster Long Term Recovery Group, I see firsthand the desperation of wildfire survivors who are still without stable housing. The number one barrier to recovery — to health, to family stability, to mental wellness — is the severe lack of available, affordable rentals. Housing is not a luxury. It is a basic human need and an essential, non-negotiable part of recovery and long-term resilience.
Many short-term rental owners say they love this community. But when the fires happened and housing was the #1 need, few stepped forward to house impacted fire survivors. Instead, many chose to maintain out-of-state wealth by renting to FEMA or the State for inflated rates ranging from $5,000 to $11,000 per month. That’s not pono.
This is not about punishment. This is about pivoting toward what is right and overdue. This is about putting the needs of local residents above the profits of off-island investors. If passing Bill 9 means fewer jobs in tourism or lower transient accommodation taxes, then so be it. Because housing our own families — ensuring they have a roof over their heads and a future in their homeland — is worth that cost.
This is our moment to restore balance. To move away from temporary visitor lodging and toward permanent housing for our people. This phase-out is not anti-tourism — it is pro-community, pro-ʻohana, pro-Maui.
I respectfully urge you to pass Bill 9 and take bold action to restore housing as a basic right, not a luxury investment. Let’s protect Maui and ensure it remains the ʻāina where our children can dream of raising their own ʻohana for generations to come — not fear they’ll be priced out and forced to leave.
Mahalo for your leadership, your courage, and your deep commitment to a healthier, more just Maui — where every local ʻohana has a real chance to stay, grow, and build their future here.
My name is Cameron Gomez, and I own a small one-bedroom condo in Maui Vista, which is on the Minatoya list. I legally use my condo as a STVR when I am not on island. 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 on the Minatoya list.
I’ve worked hard to be a responsible and community-oriented owner. I employ local service providers — cleaners, maintenance techs, and landscapers — many of whom are like family to me. I recommend local restaurants like Aloha Prime, Paia Fish Market, and Kihei Cafe, and encourage my guests to use tour guides to help them experience all that the island has to offer. My guests often leave Maui saying they felt more connected to the island because of the personal experience they had in my home.
Some of my guests have even said they wouldn’t have come at all if they didn’t have a vacation rental option. That matters — not just to me, but to all the small businesses they supported during their stay.
Owning in Maui Vista 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, functional, and appealing. STR income helps cover those costs while supporting local workers.
This legislation feels rushed and one-sided. 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, and holds STR owners to high standards, instead of phasing us out completely.
Aloha Chair,Vice Chair and Council members,
Please please please regulate do not eliminate STR/TVR's. I oppose the Bill 9 and hope we will be able to be reasonable and help all of us on Maui. My family bought first condo in 1976 and YES I am a long term resident. My children who were raised in Lahaina are not on island due to our current situation post fire. Yes we lost our most loved property in Lahaina . We have only survived because of managing one STR. We Have lived here and managed our our TVR until it was burned down. Our keiki grew up cleaning, fixing, working and yes we have employed and still do employ local families and friends who pay taxes, that provide all of our counties services. I started working at Hyatt Regency as my first real job and after 40 years I'm still helping guests and in turn was able to raise three amazing Lahiana kids. Our vacation rental allowed us as locals to coach various sports, serve on school boards, church boards, donate $, provide both short term and long term housing and live in Lahaina. We all know one job is not enough to live and I have no doubt our county will be better off with STR as an option. I would also like to say thank goodness many people used STR and other non hotel like Time Shares over the years because, day one after the fire so many mainlanders who love Maui sent Millions of dollars to help . Thank you all for your time and we will pray for Maui.
I am a homeowner at The Ridge at Kapalua Resort, and am opposed to this proposal for many reasons. It will not achieve in any meaningful way the stated goal of providing affordable housing for working families and those who so tragically lost their homes in the Lahaina fires. It will devastate Maui's economy by driving away tourism, hurting local businesses, drying up jobs, reducing services, and wreaking havoc with the budget. And it is especially inappropriate for resort communities like Kapalua which were never designed or intended to provide affordable housing.
Kapalua was designed and functions as a resort community. The STR properties there attract vacationers who are seeking that kind of accomodation, who spend money at local businesses, and who contribute substantially to Maui's economy. If they don't have the option of staying in a STR, many will simply choose to vacation elsewhere, taking their dollars with them. Moreover, the properties at Kapalua were never designed as affordable, working class housing and are simply unsuitable for most local families. The vast majority of units are small, lack storage or yards or adequate parking, and have extremely high insurance and HOA fees, along with periodic special assessments, which most working class people simply can't afford.
All of us support the goal of providing more affordable housing for Maui residents and working class families. But rather than pitting one group against another, let's all join together to build the right kind of housing in West Maui and across our island. The reality is that Maui needs all of us to contribute to the economy, pay taxes, provide jobs, support local businesses, and promote sustainable tourism on this beautiful island we are proud to share. Please vote against this proposal so that together we can forge a better path forward.
Sincerely,
Patricia McDonald
Homeowner, The Ridge at Kapalua
Aloha Council members;
My name is Lonelle Newman and I am part owner of a small family owned property management company that manages both Vacation rentals and Associations.
We directly employ @ 25 people not to mention outside vendors including housekeepers. This bill would devastate them and us and nullify my Moms almost 50 year legacy.
A few years ago I wrote to the County Council voicing my concerns over the Mauka side historically Apt units being converted to STR due to low sale prices and maintenance fees. Many of my friends were displaced and this was alarming enough to reach out to the Council with my observations. Napili Ridge was for sure built as workforce housing and now has @2/3 STR. This is part of the problem now, in my opinion.
The properties we manage are all makai side and have front desks and have operated legally as vacation rentals for decades...
I get it and emphasize with the locals looking for affordable housing. This however, is similar to what is happening all over so we are not alone in this dilemma.
Our company housed fire survivors thru Airbnb whose contracts are soon ending. We have offered the current tenants long term options at fair market value and only ONE has agreed to a 6 month lease which wont work as we need a year to qualify for the tax exemption. I also tried to advertise and received TWO inquiries in 6 weeks.
Catch 22
No jobs= no $ for rent = no economy
Mahalo for the opportunity to voice my opinion.
This bill is not the answer
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.
Papakea, initially marketed as a legal vacation rental property, has operated as such for almost fifty years despite zoning restrictions limiting transient rentals in apartment-zoned properties. Unlike workforce housing that converted to transient rentals, Papakea has never been workforce housing. Most units are under 600 square feet, and parking is limited. Located alongside hotel-zoned properties and commercial areas, Papakea differs from apartment buildings designed for long-term residential use by having a front desk, activity concierge, shared space, and resort amenities.
Owners purchased condos with the expectation that short-term rentals were legal based on ordinances dating back to 1989 and as recent as 2022. In reliance on Maui County ordinances, Hawaii state law, and constitutional protections, they invested in renovations, furnishings, and mortgages, making any phase-out of short-term rentals offensive to their investment-backed expectations.
Papakea’s resort operations provide full-time, benefited employment for 35 local residents, some with over decades of experience.The property supports various local trade professionals, including pest control, HVAC, painting, plumbing, electrical, general contracting, masonry, tile and flooring, fitness instructors, entertainers, and tree trimming.
Many Maui residents own and operate small businesses that rely on Papakea short-term rentals, including housekeepers, handymen, on-island agents, and contractors. These service providers set their own rates, work hours, select clients, conditions, and procedures. Shutting down short-term rentals at Papakea would force local entrepreneurs to find jobs elsewhere with less pay, flexibility, and corporate policies.
Papakea STRs support the State of Hawaii and County of Maui through property taxes, Transient Accommodations Tax, General Excise Tax, and Maui County Transient Accommodations Tax.
Papakea guests support local businesses like restaurants, food trucks, tour operators, activities, state parks, the national park, and shops.Papakea owners and guests regularly participate in community activities, including volunteering and contributing to local philanthropy and culture. It is one of the reasons, my family purchased our unit in 1983.
As an owner since 1983, we have lived and witnessed the changes to the island over the years and hope that we can forge a partnership that benefits everyone. Our unit has been supporting Hawaiians since the very beginning, employing management that is solely Hawaiian owned and operated. More recently as several management groups have been purchased by out of state companies, we have changed our management to continue to be Hawaiian as it is very important to our family to support the island . From contractors to everyday workers, our unit is cleaned, rented, managed, and improved by Hawaiians.
I urge the committee to examine the purpose of Papakea from its declarations in the 1970’s to the most recent reiteration of the Declaration. The intent of our property is to be a condo-hotel and we urge the committee to look at our history. Evaluate our property as one for transient accommodations, as it was intended so many years ago.
I appreciate the time and consideration of my comments and hope that we find common ground to protect the culture, the beauty and the environment that makes Maui so special to islanders and visitors.
My name is Dianne Douglas, and I own a short-term rental property in Maui County. I am writing today to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed legislation to phase out more than 7,000 vacation rentals.
I’ve worked hard to be a responsible and community-oriented owner. I recommend local restaurants and tour guides to my guests. I employ local service providers — cleaners, maintenance techs, and landscapers — many of whom have become like family over the years. My guests often leave Maui saying they felt more connected to the island because of the personal experience they had in my home.
Some of my guests have even said they wouldn’t have come at all if they didn’t have a vacation rental option. They can only afford to bring their families to Maui if they have the option to cook some of their own meals. That matters — not just to me, but to all the small businesses they supported during their stay.
Owning in Noelani 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, functional, and appealing. STR income helps cover those costs while supporting local workers.
This legislation feels rushed and one-sided. 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, and holds STR owners to high standards, instead of phasing us all out completely.
My name is Victor Anderson, and I own a short-term rental property in Maui County. I am writing today to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed legislation to phase out more than 7,000 vacation rentals.
I’ve worked hard to be a responsible and community-oriented owner. I recommend local restaurants and tour guides to my guests. I employ local service providers — cleaners, maintenance techs, and landscapers — many of whom have become like family over the years. My guests often leave Maui saying they felt more connected to the island because of the personal experience they had in my home.
Some of my guests have even said they wouldn’t have come at all if they didn’t have a vacation rental option. They can only afford to bring their families to Maui if they have the option to cook some of their own meals. That matters — not just to me, but to all the small businesses they supported during their stay.
Owning in Noelani 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, functional, and appealing. STR income helps cover those costs while supporting local workers.
This legislation feels rushed and one-sided. 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, and holds STR owners to high standards, instead of phasing us all out completely.
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members,
My name is Frank Balluff, and I own a short-term rental property in Maui County. I am writing to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed legislation that aims to phase out over 7,000 vacation rentals.
As a responsible and community-oriented owner, I have taken great care to ensure the well-being of my guests and the local community. I have personally recommended local restaurants and tour guides in my welcome guide and have employed local service providers such as cleaners, maintenance technicians, and landscapers. Many of these individuals have become like family to me over the years. My guests often leave Maui with a stronger connection to the island due to the personal experiences they had in my home.
Some of my guests have even expressed that they wouldn’t have visited Maui at all if they hadn’t had the option of a vacation rental. This is not only significant to me but also to all the small businesses they supported during their stay.
Owning in this complex is extremely expensive. We have faced substantial maintenance costs, special assessments, and significant increases in insurance after the fires. These expenses are not luxuries but necessary costs that ensure the property’s safety, functionality, and appeal. STR income helps cover these costs while supporting local workers.
I believe this legislation appears rushed and one-sided. I urge the Council to collaborate with owners like me to find a fair and balanced approach forward. This approach should protect local jobs, support the economy, and hold STR owners to high standards, rather than completely phasing us out.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Frank Balluff
Dear Chair Kama, Vice Chair U’u-Hodgins, and Members of the Housing and Land Use Committee: Thank you for taking on this huge challenge of solving the housing shortage in Maui. It is a serious problem that has been accentuated by the displaced residents after the Lahaina fire. We understand and respect that the committee needs to look at all possible solutions while taking into account the subsequent economic impacts to Maui as a result. It also needs to respect the rights of current stakeholders. The call for public input to the process is much appreciated.
With this in mind, as drafted we oppose Bill 9 and propose that the Council amend the Bill. We ask that Papakea Oceanfront Resort be excluded from the bill. Maui County and the State of Hawaii have identified Papakea as a resort property with partial hotel zoning for decades. It is our view that it should maintain this designation. Papakea, as it currently operates, is a signifcant economic driver and employer in West Maui through property taxes, employment and the support of multiple local small businesses. All of these advantages would be lost if the property were rezoned as these would not be supported in the same way by residential zoning.
Mahalo.
Wayne and Sharon Crowe
3543 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Apartment C404
Aloha: i’m writing an opposition to converting short term rental houses on the Montoya list to residential. My wife and I have owned a condo for seven years at Polynesian Shores in Kahana. It’s small with one bedroom, one parking stall and no storage. We bought it because of the friendly community and location to amenities we enjoy. In our time there, we’ve employed a construction company, engineers, landscapers, tv and internet providers, housekeepers, remodeler, painter, glass company, furniture stores, restaurants, breweries, grocery stores, clothing stores, hardware stores, rental companies and food trucks. We’ve made friendships and helped each other out over the years. When the fire happened, we opened our place to those in need for free. If you prohibit us and our Polynesian Shore Ohana from renting our places and doing with them as we please, you’ll break the working, supportive relationships we’ve built over the years by eliminating the tourist revenue we get. We’ll loose the tax base, the income revenue, the jobs, the services and most importantly the network that sustains us in good times and bad. The proposed elimination of short-term rentals will do more harm than good while undoing everything the Polynesian Shores Ohana has built over 50 years.
This is not the best way to fix our housing problem on Maui. I strongly oppose this bill.
Tara Wells
2191 S. Kihei Road, #3320
Kihei, Hi 96753
June 5, 2025
County Council Members, Housing and Land Use Committee Members and Mayor Bissen,
I STRONGLY OPPOSE Bill 9 (as proposed) to phase out the Minatoya Listed condos.
I don’t believe the bill is thought out or sustainable. A year ago, Mayor Bissen wanted all STR’s eliminated from that list. Two months ago, he announced that he only needed 2000 units and was considering going after work for housing only. Today, you suggest you want to eliminate them all STR units on the Minatoya list by 2030. Where is the rationale? That housing would be available 7 years after the Lahaina fire.
Capturing all units on the Minatoya list also does not make sense. They are not all alike. Some base buildings are 3 or 4 storey wood frame walk up units with no full-time staff. Others, as in Maui Vista, where I own, include:
3 pools,
6 tennis courts
3 elevators
A full time General Manager and Full time Office Assistant.
5 cleaning staff
2 maintenance men
4 full time contracted landscapers
Without a mortgage, but including HOA fees, taxes, insurance, electricity etc., my base cost is around $2800 a month, for a 588 sq. ft. one bedroom unit. That does not include any repair and maintenance or profit. How can a local Maui resident afford that kind of rent?
Whether you like it or not, tourism is the lifeblood on the islands and Maui’s economic driver. It is what keeps money flowing to handle employment, retail and restaurant, roads, public works, parks and rec, schools, police, ambulance and fire. This proposed bill is not sustainable and will cripple Maui’s Economy.
Respectfully
Tara Wells
Greetings Chair,Vice Chair and Council members,
"No one knows how better to care for Hawaiʻi, our island home, than those of us who have lived here for thousands of years"
Haunani Kay-Trask
I thank you for this important meeting and Bill 9 as it reflects the urgent importance of living standards and respect for residents of Maui versus those eating up the resources and space with their colonial entitlement occupations. I support Bill 9. The long term residents are the heart of the community. I am a settler from the continent and have lived here for only 14 years, I do not own a home or land and rent with my partner who is from the islands. We work in the community, we give to our community, learn from our community and are accountable to our community. My contribution to Maui doesn’t just come from the money I give to restaurants or stores or small businesses, or my taxes but comes from the daily boots on the ground, the hands in the soil, and the accountability that I offer everyday that I live here. It is so clearly entitled supremacy I read and when I listen to the occupied owners of the STRʻs. They think they are what makes Maui function or that they discovered Kapalua and somehow they made it a place. Somehow they think their money is the community. It is horrific as the continuation of predominantly American occupiers think they are what makes Hawaiʻi work. I know that local families do own STRʻs and this income supports their families. I know that solutions to housing are going to hurt some people but the majority of people who own do NOT want to live here and are not solutions to the massive crisis that Maui residents face everyday.
As far as Bill 9 I do have questions, the amendments made on June 3rd to make this go into effect 5 years from now. This bill needs to go into effect much sooner as in 5 years there is a devastation effect to Hawaii at large with the lack of housing and the detrimental effects of colonial occupation for tourism. I understand there are complications for all these owners that think they deserve to take up space because they bought in an illegally occupied nation. Yet 5 years seems way too long given the dire circumstance of housing needs. I also question the stated amendment reading “Clarifies that validly existing time share units or time share plans are exempt from being phased out;” how is it possible that these time shares are given exemptions from phase out? Given the issues with overuse of water, the diaspora, homeless disaster, illegal occupation, Hawaiian homelands still not being awarded, why would these STRʻs be given preferential treatment? Why are there exemptions given to them versus the actual people of Hawaii that have not been given any exceptions for land and housing that has been taken from them. The days of giving colonial pleasures exceptions over local families' living has come to end. I would also hope that the council continues to place restrictions on neighborhood owned vacation rental houses to restore a sense of place for the people who live here and the safety for the children.
I understand that the taxes and all the things give money but the fact is with that comes entitlement. The residents of this place cannot continue to be second-class citizens. I know there are good people who live here that live in other nations and that they love Maui. Yet the majority of what this brings is the contribution to how things work such as, making the prices skyrocket, the beaches overcrowded, the community their servants, the water disappear, the traffic unbearable, maintenance of homelessness and the diaspora of local families. I ask how many trees have they planted for the native ecosystem, how many streams have they worked to protect, how many teachers have they thanked, how many families have they helped to rise, how many local neighbors do they know, how many legislative sessions have they stood with local families? These are the differences of occupation owners versus people living in a place. The short term rentals are houses that should be for families that live here. Long term families should not be without housing so out of town people can come occupy when they or their friends like. The data is in the short term rentals and Minatoya list needs to be dealt with. I am thankful for the Maui County council and the Mayor for standing for the people. I support Bill 9 and stand with the people of Lahaina Strong, Lahaina Community Land trust, Maui Housing Hui, HAPA, and the other countless living and past residents of Maui and the need for housing to remain accessible and community owned. Phase out these STRʻs and if the owners are not happy that is ok. Local families are not happy, nor consenting, or thriving from all the years of illegal and continued suffering because of American occupation.
I support Bill 9. Housing for the community first and now.
Thank you Pahnelopi McKenzie
Aloha,
My name is Faith Cummins, and I am a full-time resident of Maui County. My family has been a part of the Lahaina community for 19 years. I have a daughter, grandson, and son who live here on Maui. My son is a proud graduate of Lahainaluna High School and UH Maui.
I am here today to strongly oppose the proposed legislation to remove 7,000 short-term rental units.
As a business owner who lost two offices, two warehouses, and a laundry facility in the Aug 8th Lahaina fires, I can personally attest to the devastation this community has endured. Our company, Maui Paradise Properties, employs 78 dedicated individuals. 23 of our employees, including myself, were displaced or lost everything If this legislation passes, we will be forced to lay off half of our MPP workforce and cease using half of our local vendors who are Maui small business owners. These include our 13 contracted cleaning companies and 10 different outside vendors among many other businesses that receive employment directly and indirectly through our company. We are not talking about numbers; these are folks who rely on this work to take care of their families. These job losses will ripple through our community, affecting countless families and local businesses.
In the past year, we’ve seen significant increases in insurance premiums, maintenance expenses, and labor costs across Maui. For many condominium properties, especially those along the lower road in Honokowai, AOAO (Association of Apartment Owners) fees have risen to levels comparable to monthly rents typically considered affordable for working families.
This makes it increasingly difficult to rent these units as long-term rentals at affordable rates.
To provide some context, I’ve reviewed the most current AOAO fees listed in the MLS for several properties in this area. These fees are not associated with luxury amenities or enhanced landscaping services. Rather, they reflect the rising costs tied directly to essential building maintenance, property insurance, and other operational necessities—costs that are passed directly to individual owners.
1bd /1 ba Paki Maui - $1324
2 bd /2ba Paki Maui _$2898
1bd/1ba Kulakane $1202
1bd/1ba Kaleialoha $1202
1bd/1ba Kahana Reef $2005
1bd/1ba Hale Mahina $1237
1bd/1ba Kuleana $1332
1bd/1ba Noelani $1287
2bd/2ba Lokelani $1697
These monthly fees, when combined with mortgage and individual insurance, create a financial burden that is unsustainable for many owners, and difficult to absorb under long-term rental market rates.
This phase-out feels like it’s directly impacting the very people who are striving to make a life here: Maui families doing their best to stay afloat.
We understand the concerns around housing — and we agree that real, lasting solutions are needed. But removing a vital source of income without a clear, actionable plan only makes things more difficult for those who are already struggling.
We urge the County to protect residents on all fronts — not just in terms of housing, but also in employment, education, access to essential services, and long-term economic opportunity. We need a balanced and thoughtful approach — one that supports working families instead of dismantling the income streams they rely on to remain here.
We can no longer afford to keep kicking this issue down the road. Our community needs decisive leadership that prioritizes the long-term health and well-being of our residents. It's time to make responsible, forward-thinking decisions that support the stability of our population and the future of Maui.
Mahalo, Faith
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members,
My name is Matt Cartwright, and I own a short-term rental property in Maui County. I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed legislation to phase out more than 7,000 vacation rentals.
For the past 10 years, my partner and I have called Maui our second home. This isn't a business investment, it's where our ohana lives. I have more friends on Maui than on the mainland, including friends who have lived here for over 35 years and those who are native-born. When the fires devastated our community, we watched friends lose their businesses and livelihoods. Our short-term rental exists to maintain these deep relationships, not to generate profit.
This rushed legislation will harm the very people it claims to help. I'm thinking of Al, who owns Aloha Prime, John at Hi-Tech Sports, Leslie at the Marriott, Mioo in real estate, Shelby at Paia Fish Market, Dale at MPP Properties, and Darrin, who maintains our home. These are real people whose livelihoods depend on a healthy tourism economy. The mere discussion of this bill has already damaged tourism and hurt these hardworking individuals.
Our property doesn’t even break even, let alone make a profit. Between rising maintenance costs, insurance premiums, assessments, and mortgage payments, we're working constantly just to keep up. We're not wealthy investors extracting profits. We're people invested in this community who are struggling like everyone else.
Maui's housing crisis existed long before the fires and won't be solved by eliminating vacation rentals and STRs. Instead of creating division when our community needs unity, we should focus our energy on collaborative solutions that bring together everyone who loves Maui.
I urge you to vote NO on Bill 9. Rather than rushing through legislation that will harm our economy and divide our community, let's work together to find real solutions to the housing crisis that respect both residents' needs and the relationships that make Maui special.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Matt Cartwright
We oppose this bill. We strongly disagree that this bill or any form of similar bill will improve availability of affordable housing units.
We are full time residents of Maui and we own a one bedroom unit in a 35 year old condo complex that is on the Minatoya list. This unit can NOT be rented (or purchased) at an affordable rate based on FACTUAL data: The cost of this unit would include a monthly mortgage note (principal and interest) of approximately $3,750 (assuming 20% down with sales price at $650,000*, and current mortgage rate with excellent credit); monthly condo fee of $967; special assessment for increased insurance post fire of $95 per month; monthly individual HO-6 condo insurance of $62; monthly property tax (based on long-term rental rate and long-term rental exemption) of $110; maintenance and repairs broken down monthly at $250. If we assume ZERO profit, and ZERO spent on a property manager, the TOTAL COST would be $5,234 to BREAK EVEN. Please note that many of those costs will increase each year. (*The price of $650,000 is estimated based on a 30% reduction from the current Maui County assessed value, as the UHERO report suggests.)
Based on this cost (again, REAL FACTUAL DATA), this is in no way an affordable property based on the current Affordable sales and rent guidelines on the Maui County website at:
https://www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/146501/2024--28-Affordable-Sales--Rental-Guidelines
The monthly costs to a renter or someone purchasing this unit FAR EXCEEDS the posted affordable rates.
The draft bill has been modified to include a future date in 2030 to phase out the transient vacation rental uses in the apartment districts. There is no date in the future that changes the fact that these are not and will never be affordable based on the data. In fact, as these old units get even older, there will be more capital projects requiring more special assessments, making them even MORE UNAFFORDABLE.
Again, we strongly oppose this bill and would encourage our county leaders to explore and support real solutions to provide real livable options for affordable housing units like Kaulana Mahina and other residential developments that are built specifically with families and long term living in mind. More efficient permitting processes may help accelerate these projects.
We are also aware that such a drastic change to reduce the number of STRs will most likely have a catastrophic impact on this islands economy and its people. This cannot be ignored.
Units that rent short term employ so many local people. These local people depend on STRs in order to live on Maui and take care of their own families. They have told us this when we have employed them. From cleaning professionals to plumbers, electricians, HVAC companies, property management companies, general contractors, painters, handyman services, roofers, flooring installers, landscapers, retail stores for items that routinely get purchased/replaced and so many more. As property owners, we know that we have utilized these types of professional services much more when a unit is an STR than when it is a long term rental.
The impact to all other businesses like restaurants, activity providers, tour companies, retail stores, etc. will be significant. All of these businesses did not develop over night. As the STRs increased, so did the local businesses and the number of locals they employ.
Visitors who stay at STRs may not be able to afford many of the hotels with exorbitant nightly prices, parking fees, and resort fees. If they do, they may be spending far less at local businesses because their travel budget will be shifted to cover the hotel lodging. Or they may choose another destination all together. Either way, resulting in a negative impact to local business. Incidentally, the hotel industry is taking quite a bit of their profits off this island.
Please consider real factual data regarding affordability, and consider the negative impact to thousands of local residents.
Mahalo for considering this testimony.
Michelle and Brandon
Aloha and mahalo for reading this today.
My cousin works for the county and has followed closely what's happening. She said that council has their mind made up in so far as there really are not new facts anymore. They know from 3 reports that not a single economist thinks this will do anything other than devastate the economy. But she also said those who support the bill don't care about the economy and I know this myself because so many of my friends aren't money people so lots of county money or not and they not much care.
Those in support say that this is about housing and we have to take them on that. I know some hate tourists but I know allot of them woudl just like housing to be solved. We all do.
If I drop a ball it will hit the ground. If I throw it into the air, it will hit the ground. That's gravity at work.
I had to look this up but remember it from school.
For that baseball to be thrown in the air and not have gravity bring it back it would need to travel at 7 miles PER SECOND. Someone figured that out. We know this is as a fact and its why we can send rockets into space. No one has done this for phasing these places out. There is literal no escape velocity calculation for converting these places into homes for our community.
Imagine when NASA decided to put the first rocket into space they did it with no math being done. Just shouting "we're sending this rocket to space", and no one was allowed to ask how, or be told how much it might cost, or weather people on it might die.
Imagine if every single expert said it was a bad idea, people were going to die,rocket would burn up, and billions of dollars would vanish would it seem reckless to do it anyway.?
Not one expert thinks thi phase out is a good idea, that it's financially wise or that it will provide any affordable housing. 6% reduction in rent. That's driving past Panda Express not through it once a month. Maybe listen to the experts ont his one and not the ones with no money no jobs, no degrees and no expertise in this area. Trump surrounds himself with non-experts and look what that has done for america
Mahalo, Talia Ausage
Submitted for the Maui County Council Meeting on June 9, 2025
Aloha Chair and Councilmembers,
My name is Rhonda Alexander Monkres, and I am writing on behalf of myself and my ʻohana as a lifelong and generational resident of Hawaiʻi, living here on Maui. I write in strong and unwavering support of Bill 9 to phase out short-term rentals on the Minatoya list.
This issue is personal. I am a mother of two young adults — Kainoa, age 21, and Puamana, age 19 — who are working hard to build their lives here on Maui. They want to live, work, raise their families, and contribute to this community. But like so many of their peers, the possibility of a stable future here is slipping further and further from reach. They are not alone — countless local families are being priced out, pushed out, or forced to live in overcrowded or unsafe housing. This is not just a housing crisis. It is a crisis of identity, equity, and survival.
The cost of doing nothing is the quiet displacement of those who are Maui.
We cannot continue to prioritize visitor accommodations while our own keiki are unhoused, while local families are forced to leave their island home, or live with multiple generations under one roof — not by choice, but out of necessity. Let’s be clear: short-term rentals are a root cause of our housing crisis. Thousands of homes have been taken off the market and converted into profit-driven vacation units — homes that could and should have been available to local families.
They’ve been turned over to the hands of people who do not live here — people who may say they love Maui, but whose connection is transactional, not rooted. The kind of love that holds this place together is found in neighbors who show up, kūpuna who guide us, parents who raise the next generation, and communities who lean on each other. That is aloha. That is Maui.
As part of Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama Disaster Long Term Recovery Group, I see firsthand the desperation of wildfire survivors who are still without stable housing. The number one barrier to recovery — to health, to family stability, to mental wellness — is the severe lack of available, affordable rentals. Housing is not a luxury. It is a basic human need and an essential, non-negotiable part of recovery and long-term resilience.
Many short-term rental owners say they love this community. But when the fires happened and housing was the #1 need, few stepped forward to house impacted fire survivors. Instead, many chose to maintain out-of-state wealth by renting to FEMA or the State for inflated rates ranging from $5,000 to $11,000 per month. That’s not pono.
This is not about punishment. This is about pivoting toward what is right and overdue. This is about putting the needs of local residents above the profits of off-island investors. If passing Bill 9 means fewer jobs in tourism or lower transient accommodation taxes, then so be it. Because housing our own families — ensuring they have a roof over their heads and a future in their homeland — is worth that cost.
This is our moment to restore balance. To move away from temporary visitor lodging and toward permanent housing for our people. This phase-out is not anti-tourism — it is pro-community, pro-ʻohana, pro-Maui.
I respectfully urge you to pass Bill 9 and take bold action to restore housing as a basic right, not a luxury investment. Let’s protect Maui and ensure it remains the ʻāina where our children can dream of raising their own ʻohana for generations to come — not fear they’ll be priced out and forced to leave.
Mahalo for your leadership, your courage, and your deep commitment to a healthier, more just Maui — where every local ʻohana has a real chance to stay, grow, and build their future here.
Me ka haʻahaʻa,
Rhonda Alexander Monkres
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members,
My name is Cameron Gomez, and I own a small one-bedroom condo in Maui Vista, which is on the Minatoya list. I legally use my condo as a STVR when I am not on island. 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 on the Minatoya list.
I’ve worked hard to be a responsible and community-oriented owner. I employ local service providers — cleaners, maintenance techs, and landscapers — many of whom are like family to me. I recommend local restaurants like Aloha Prime, Paia Fish Market, and Kihei Cafe, and encourage my guests to use tour guides to help them experience all that the island has to offer. My guests often leave Maui saying they felt more connected to the island because of the personal experience they had in my home.
Some of my guests have even said they wouldn’t have come at all if they didn’t have a vacation rental option. That matters — not just to me, but to all the small businesses they supported during their stay.
Owning in Maui Vista 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, functional, and appealing. STR income helps cover those costs while supporting local workers.
This legislation feels rushed and one-sided. 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, and holds STR owners to high standards, instead of phasing us out completely.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Aloha Chair,Vice Chair and Council members,
Please please please regulate do not eliminate STR/TVR's. I oppose the Bill 9 and hope we will be able to be reasonable and help all of us on Maui. My family bought first condo in 1976 and YES I am a long term resident. My children who were raised in Lahaina are not on island due to our current situation post fire. Yes we lost our most loved property in Lahaina . We have only survived because of managing one STR. We Have lived here and managed our our TVR until it was burned down. Our keiki grew up cleaning, fixing, working and yes we have employed and still do employ local families and friends who pay taxes, that provide all of our counties services. I started working at Hyatt Regency as my first real job and after 40 years I'm still helping guests and in turn was able to raise three amazing Lahiana kids. Our vacation rental allowed us as locals to coach various sports, serve on school boards, church boards, donate $, provide both short term and long term housing and live in Lahaina. We all know one job is not enough to live and I have no doubt our county will be better off with STR as an option. I would also like to say thank goodness many people used STR and other non hotel like Time Shares over the years because, day one after the fire so many mainlanders who love Maui sent Millions of dollars to help . Thank you all for your time and we will pray for Maui.
I am a homeowner at The Ridge at Kapalua Resort, and am opposed to this proposal for many reasons. It will not achieve in any meaningful way the stated goal of providing affordable housing for working families and those who so tragically lost their homes in the Lahaina fires. It will devastate Maui's economy by driving away tourism, hurting local businesses, drying up jobs, reducing services, and wreaking havoc with the budget. And it is especially inappropriate for resort communities like Kapalua which were never designed or intended to provide affordable housing.
Kapalua was designed and functions as a resort community. The STR properties there attract vacationers who are seeking that kind of accomodation, who spend money at local businesses, and who contribute substantially to Maui's economy. If they don't have the option of staying in a STR, many will simply choose to vacation elsewhere, taking their dollars with them. Moreover, the properties at Kapalua were never designed as affordable, working class housing and are simply unsuitable for most local families. The vast majority of units are small, lack storage or yards or adequate parking, and have extremely high insurance and HOA fees, along with periodic special assessments, which most working class people simply can't afford.
All of us support the goal of providing more affordable housing for Maui residents and working class families. But rather than pitting one group against another, let's all join together to build the right kind of housing in West Maui and across our island. The reality is that Maui needs all of us to contribute to the economy, pay taxes, provide jobs, support local businesses, and promote sustainable tourism on this beautiful island we are proud to share. Please vote against this proposal so that together we can forge a better path forward.
Sincerely,
Patricia McDonald
Homeowner, The Ridge at Kapalua
This is terrible! It would totally destroy the maui economy.
Aloha Council members;
My name is Lonelle Newman and I am part owner of a small family owned property management company that manages both Vacation rentals and Associations.
We directly employ @ 25 people not to mention outside vendors including housekeepers. This bill would devastate them and us and nullify my Moms almost 50 year legacy.
A few years ago I wrote to the County Council voicing my concerns over the Mauka side historically Apt units being converted to STR due to low sale prices and maintenance fees. Many of my friends were displaced and this was alarming enough to reach out to the Council with my observations. Napili Ridge was for sure built as workforce housing and now has @2/3 STR. This is part of the problem now, in my opinion.
The properties we manage are all makai side and have front desks and have operated legally as vacation rentals for decades...
I get it and emphasize with the locals looking for affordable housing. This however, is similar to what is happening all over so we are not alone in this dilemma.
Our company housed fire survivors thru Airbnb whose contracts are soon ending. We have offered the current tenants long term options at fair market value and only ONE has agreed to a 6 month lease which wont work as we need a year to qualify for the tax exemption. I also tried to advertise and received TWO inquiries in 6 weeks.
Catch 22
No jobs= no $ for rent = no economy
Mahalo for the opportunity to voice my opinion.
This bill is not the answer
We have had our condo since 1978 and plan on using it every year. We own three weeks and look forward to our little slice of Maui.
Thank you!
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.
Papakea, initially marketed as a legal vacation rental property, has operated as such for almost fifty years despite zoning restrictions limiting transient rentals in apartment-zoned properties. Unlike workforce housing that converted to transient rentals, Papakea has never been workforce housing. Most units are under 600 square feet, and parking is limited. Located alongside hotel-zoned properties and commercial areas, Papakea differs from apartment buildings designed for long-term residential use by having a front desk, activity concierge, shared space, and resort amenities.
Owners purchased condos with the expectation that short-term rentals were legal based on ordinances dating back to 1989 and as recent as 2022. In reliance on Maui County ordinances, Hawaii state law, and constitutional protections, they invested in renovations, furnishings, and mortgages, making any phase-out of short-term rentals offensive to their investment-backed expectations.
Papakea’s resort operations provide full-time, benefited employment for 35 local residents, some with over decades of experience.The property supports various local trade professionals, including pest control, HVAC, painting, plumbing, electrical, general contracting, masonry, tile and flooring, fitness instructors, entertainers, and tree trimming.
Many Maui residents own and operate small businesses that rely on Papakea short-term rentals, including housekeepers, handymen, on-island agents, and contractors. These service providers set their own rates, work hours, select clients, conditions, and procedures. Shutting down short-term rentals at Papakea would force local entrepreneurs to find jobs elsewhere with less pay, flexibility, and corporate policies.
Papakea STRs support the State of Hawaii and County of Maui through property taxes, Transient Accommodations Tax, General Excise Tax, and Maui County Transient Accommodations Tax.
Papakea guests support local businesses like restaurants, food trucks, tour operators, activities, state parks, the national park, and shops.Papakea owners and guests regularly participate in community activities, including volunteering and contributing to local philanthropy and culture. It is one of the reasons, my family purchased our unit in 1983.
As an owner since 1983, we have lived and witnessed the changes to the island over the years and hope that we can forge a partnership that benefits everyone. Our unit has been supporting Hawaiians since the very beginning, employing management that is solely Hawaiian owned and operated. More recently as several management groups have been purchased by out of state companies, we have changed our management to continue to be Hawaiian as it is very important to our family to support the island . From contractors to everyday workers, our unit is cleaned, rented, managed, and improved by Hawaiians.
I urge the committee to examine the purpose of Papakea from its declarations in the 1970’s to the most recent reiteration of the Declaration. The intent of our property is to be a condo-hotel and we urge the committee to look at our history. Evaluate our property as one for transient accommodations, as it was intended so many years ago.
I appreciate the time and consideration of my comments and hope that we find common ground to protect the culture, the beauty and the environment that makes Maui so special to islanders and visitors.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Sincerely,
Susan Franzen
3543 Lower Honoapiilani Road, G306
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members,
My name is Dianne Douglas, and I own a short-term rental property in Maui County. I am writing today to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed legislation to phase out more than 7,000 vacation rentals.
I’ve worked hard to be a responsible and community-oriented owner. I recommend local restaurants and tour guides to my guests. I employ local service providers — cleaners, maintenance techs, and landscapers — many of whom have become like family over the years. My guests often leave Maui saying they felt more connected to the island because of the personal experience they had in my home.
Some of my guests have even said they wouldn’t have come at all if they didn’t have a vacation rental option. They can only afford to bring their families to Maui if they have the option to cook some of their own meals. That matters — not just to me, but to all the small businesses they supported during their stay.
Owning in Noelani 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, functional, and appealing. STR income helps cover those costs while supporting local workers.
This legislation feels rushed and one-sided. 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, and holds STR owners to high standards, instead of phasing us all out completely.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Dianne Douglas
Douglasd310@gmail.com
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members,
My name is Victor Anderson, and I own a short-term rental property in Maui County. I am writing today to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed legislation to phase out more than 7,000 vacation rentals.
I’ve worked hard to be a responsible and community-oriented owner. I recommend local restaurants and tour guides to my guests. I employ local service providers — cleaners, maintenance techs, and landscapers — many of whom have become like family over the years. My guests often leave Maui saying they felt more connected to the island because of the personal experience they had in my home.
Some of my guests have even said they wouldn’t have come at all if they didn’t have a vacation rental option. They can only afford to bring their families to Maui if they have the option to cook some of their own meals. That matters — not just to me, but to all the small businesses they supported during their stay.
Owning in Noelani 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, functional, and appealing. STR income helps cover those costs while supporting local workers.
This legislation feels rushed and one-sided. 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, and holds STR owners to high standards, instead of phasing us all out completely.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Victor Anderson
Victoramer@gmail.com