Thank you for your consideration that long term rentals are not going to be financially feasible at Haleakala Shores, Kihei. My monthly expense is $3250 (for a hypothetical long term rental): mortgage($180k), property tax, insurance, HOA dues. HOA dues keeps going up every year by $100/month. I can't rent my place for the required amount with no pets, 1 parking space and no storage. And look at my low mortgage, that was on original purchase price of $250k in 2003. So only owner occupied or empty will work at Haleakala Shores. Thus my place becomes untenable. I am a retired senior who depends on the small income per year ($10k) and the appreciation of my property. It will be unsellable. By taking this property from me, it will hurt me badly. I will have to sue the county which I don't want to do. Can you give me $1000 a month to make the long term rentals feasible in my complex. Please vote no.
I am opposed to bill 9 but not opposed to affordable housing. I think these condos are economic assets that have proven to be net benefit for the county. Hundreds of condos are currently for sale at prices much lower than any Minatoya condo would "come online" for. List price and condo fees are lower, they are residential and in residential communities (not surrounded by hotels and hotel zoned STRs), but have been on MLS for hundreds of days. Are you ok casting financial ruination on these owners just to flood the market with discounted properties that are still priced out of range for a local buyer?
All you're doing by approving Bill 9 is changing one mainland owner who is a net contributor to the island (STR owner) for a mainland buyer who just uses it as a vacation property.
The solution is to do what has been asked of you for decades. Build more affordable housing.
STRs create the revenue streams to make this happen, and I guarantee you that phasing out these A-zoned condos is nothing but a fool's errand.
I'm a dental assistant and my partner is a landscaper and we have a secure rental, so pass or not, it doesn't affect us directly, but without these rentals and the money they provide the county, I expect all of our costs to rise. Enough is enough. Do things that make sense, not thing that make a small group of radicals happy.
Aloha County Council members
Mahalo for your tireless attention to this controversial Bill 9.
As a 30+ yrs. real estate appraiser, I would like to let you be aware of
what is probably an unintentioned outcome of Bill 9's threat to Minatoya
list apts. So far this year the Bill 9 threat has significantly depressed
the sale prices of condos.that are on the list (ex: in my complex the most recent sale
is a reduction of 38% from the 2024 tax valuation). However cheaper condos. are
presenting A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY FOR RETIREES!!!..who
have dreamed of owning "a slice of paradise" for their retirement from the mainland
(agents say "yes we are seeing a lot of mainlanders"). Every week 78,400 people
turn 65 in the US. Only a fraction of 1% need to love Maui enough to move here
for retirement...and Bill 9 would give them much cheaper condos. to buy...to live in
not to long term rent. Bill 9 gives little or nothing to current residents..and it takes
away 100's of jobs and family incomes.
A NO vote is truly responsible government
Mahalo, Ron Hansen,22 yr resident, Hauoli st, Wailuku
My housecleaners are looking to move off island, as Bill 9 would destroy their livlihood of the past 8 years.
The Univ. of Hawaii analysis says 1900 jobs would be lost if Bill 9 is approved. This loss becomes 3800+ jobs
when "trickle down" losses are included..ie 1900 direct losses cause a fall off in families' spending...which,
in turn causes more job losses..thruout the economy...and, obviously, the jobless have to move off island to get a job.
My housecleaners are looking to move off island, as Bill 9 would destroy their livlihood of the past 8 years.
The Univ. of Hawaii analysis says 1900 jobs would be lost if Bill 9 is approved. This loss becomes 3800+ jobs
when "trickle down" losses are included..ie 1900 direct losses cause a fall off in families' spending...which,
in turn causes more job losses..thruout the economy...and, obviously, the jobless have to move off island to get a job.
As an owner of 2 condos in Wailea I strongly strongly oppose the short-term rental bill.
I own a unit at the Grand Champions condominiums located in Wailea. This condominium is on the Minatoya list. When it was built it was meant to be used as a vacation rental. This property is listed as a condo-hotel for property tax purposes. Not for residential use!!!
Furthermore I am spending 6 month of the year on Maui and I am well connected with local people in Kehei and Wailea. Several of my friends are either business owners on Maui and or are working for a corporation on Maui. All my friends are very concerned when all the units of the Miniatoya list will no longer be able to lease their units. This would have a huge impact on their business and or their work place.
Eckhard Evers
Aloha mai kākou, council members. My name is Justin Kekoa Kekiwi and I want to thank you for your time and your listening ears. I support Bill 9.
I want to thank Mayor Bissen and his staff for proposing this bill and doing such a good job on their presentation. It gave us factual information by thoroughly gathering data, while addressing the positive and negative impacts by bill 9. It's fairly obvious that our housing crisis far outweighs the oppositions concerns and loss of profits. Maui County is prepared to take on the ripple effects when this bill is approved and has the viable solutions to cover those differences, so, this is an easy decision to help out a lot of our local families, this council should support the Mayor's proposal.
I do want to echo the mayor, that this is not the solution to our housing crisis. However, it is a bold step in the right direction, and I commend the Mayor and his staff for pushing this forward, but we have decades of poor planning and bad decisions to address, so this is just the beginning.
Council members, mayor Bissen, and supporting staff, I would like to see a similar approach and course of action taken for all of these luxury developments currently being proposed. 10,000 plus units throughout Maui in the next several years surfacing and moving forward. A VERY small percentage of those units will be affordable. A lot of those units are even stated in their plans that it's targeted for out of State residents or investors, and that's straight up unacceptable. I urge the County to do the studies, the graphs, figure out those numbers as you did for the TVRs to create a bill that allows our community members to become home owners to a bigger portion of these units. Those investors should be mandated to open their books and only be allowed a certain amount of profit, not millions and millions off of our resources and limited housing opportunities.
These 6,000 tvr units being converted back to longterm rentals is just one of many ways to keep our families home. If we continue to move in this direction, where the communities needs is priority over foreign investments ànd if we incorporate that into our laws and these future developments, you will see our community thrive, and that Aloha spirit that has been dwindling away, it will grow and spread again, I guarantee you that! So, please council members, make this a unanimous decision and approve Bill 9.
Mahalo kākou....
TESTIMONY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF BILL 9 (2025)
Submitted to: Maui County Council, Housing and Land Use Committee
Date: June 18, 2025
From: Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi
Aloha Chair Lee, Vice Chair Sugimura and Councilmembers,
Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi submits this written testimony in strong support of Bill 9 (2025), which would phase out transient vacation rentals (TVRs) in apartment-zoned districts across Maui County. This legislation is long overdue and urgently needed.
For decades, the so-called “Minatoya List” has allowed hundreds of units to be diverted away from local families and toward the short-term visitor industry, despite the fact that transient vacation rentals were removed as a permissible use in apartment zones as early as 1989. These exceptions have contributed to our devastating housing crisis, displacing working-class residents, Native Hawaiian families, kūpuna, and keiki who can no longer afford to live in their own communities.
The devastating August 2023 fires only magnified this crisis. Over 5,400 homes were destroyed, leaving more than 12,000 people displaced and worsening an already impossible housing market. Every available unit must be focused on the urgent and long-term needs of Maui residents—not short-term profits for absentee investors.
Bill 9 fulfills the original purpose of our apartment zones: to provide higher-density long-term housing for residents, not for tourists. By removing the TVR exception for buildings built or approved prior to 1989, this bill restores the intent of past zoning laws and reasserts the County’s duty to put local people first.
We mahalo Mayor Bissen for standing firm on this issue and for stating clearly:
“Housing is not a speculative asset. It is a basic human need... Bill 9 is more than a policy — it’s a promise to our people.”
Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi calls upon the Maui County Council to honor the voices of the lāhui who have spoken out, marched, testified, and grieved in the face of loss. This bill is one essential step in reclaiming housing for residents and restoring balance in our communities.
Vote YES on Bill 9.
Me ke aloha ʻāina,
Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi
TESTIMONY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF BILL 9 (2025)
Submitted to: Maui County Council, Housing and Land Use Committee
Date: June 18, 2025
From: Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi
Aloha Chair Lee, Vice Chair Sugimura and Councilmembers,
Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi submits this written testimony in strong support of Bill 9 (2025), which would phase out transient vacation rentals (TVRs) in apartment-zoned districts across Maui County. This legislation is long overdue and urgently needed.
For decades, the so-called “Minatoya List” has allowed hundreds of units to be diverted away from local families and toward the short-term visitor industry, despite the fact that transient vacation rentals were removed as a permissible use in apartment zones as early as 1989. These exceptions have contributed to our devastating housing crisis, displacing working-class residents, Native Hawaiian families, kūpuna, and keiki who can no longer afford to live in their own communities.
The devastating August 2023 fires only magnified this crisis. Over 5,400 homes were destroyed, leaving more than 12,000 people displaced and worsening an already impossible housing market. Every available unit must be focused on the urgent and long-term needs of Maui residents—not short-term profits for absentee investors.
Bill 9 fulfills the original purpose of our apartment zones: to provide higher-density long-term housing for residents, not for tourists. By removing the TVR exception for buildings built or approved prior to 1989, this bill restores the intent of past zoning laws and reasserts the County’s duty to put local people first.
We mahalo Mayor Bissen for standing firm on this issue and for stating clearly:
“Housing is not a speculative asset. It is a basic human need... Bill 9 is more than a policy — it’s a promise to our people.”
Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi calls upon the Maui County Council to honor the voices of the lāhui who have spoken out, marched, testified, and grieved in the face of loss. This bill is one essential step in reclaiming housing for residents and restoring balance in our communities.
Vote YES on Bill 9.
Me ke aloha ʻāina,
Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi
TESTIMONY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF BILL 9 (2025)
Submitted to: Maui County Council, Housing and Land Use Committee
Date: June 18, 2025
From: Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi
Aloha Chair Lee, Vice Chair Sugimura and Councilmembers,
Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi submits this written testimony in strong support of Bill 9 (2025), which would phase out transient vacation rentals (TVRs) in apartment-zoned districts across Maui County. This legislation is long overdue and urgently needed.
For decades, the so-called “Minatoya List” has allowed hundreds of units to be diverted away from local families and toward the short-term visitor industry, despite the fact that transient vacation rentals were removed as a permissible use in apartment zones as early as 1989. These exceptions have contributed to our devastating housing crisis, displacing working-class residents, Native Hawaiian families, kūpuna, and keiki who can no longer afford to live in their own communities.
The devastating August 2023 fires only magnified this crisis. Over 5,400 homes were destroyed, leaving more than 12,000 people displaced and worsening an already impossible housing market. Every available unit must be focused on the urgent and long-term needs of Maui residents—not short-term profits for absentee investors.
Bill 9 fulfills the original purpose of our apartment zones: to provide higher-density long-term housing for residents, not for tourists. By removing the TVR exception for buildings built or approved prior to 1989, this bill restores the intent of past zoning laws and reasserts the County’s duty to put local people first.
We mahalo Mayor Bissen for standing firm on this issue and for stating clearly:
“Housing is not a speculative asset. It is a basic human need... Bill 9 is more than a policy — it’s a promise to our people.”
Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi calls upon the Maui County Council to honor the voices of the lāhui who have spoken out, marched, testified, and grieved in the face of loss. This bill is one essential step in reclaiming housing for residents and restoring balance in our communities.
Vote YES on Bill 9.
Me ke aloha ʻāina,
Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi
I have submitted testimony before the last meeting, but planned on going in person tomorrow to speak but ended up not being able to. As such, I wish to submit another written testimony but from a different point of view that has not been discussed by anyone; the children of Lahaina.
I am a second grade teacher at King Kamehameha III Elementary School. I was teaching right after the fire when we were located at Princess Nahi'ena'ena and saw first hand what the fire did to the children. The trauma, the PTSD, the constant wondering if they would go home to another fire. I have seen many of my students' grades fall, them not eating their lunches, and wondering who would pick them up from school "just in case" their parents did not survive the day. Additionally, wondering where they were going to spend the night tonight because their homes burned down. Some students moved over 10 times in 6 months; they would talk about leaving their toys behind because they couldn't find them when they were being rushed out of the hotels. Students with 6 or 8 children in their families were being forced to sleep 4 in a bed, or on the floor.
According to Maslov's Heirarchy of Needs, a stable home is the most fundamental factor in a child's life, next to food, that enables them to thrive in daily life. It is impossible to expect students to care about anything in their lives when they don't have their basic needs met. Their thoughts are consumed. Their negative behaviors come out. Their school progress falls flat or even below levels before the fire.
Some students are finally beginning to show progress, 2 years later. Others are having to catch up because they lost so much. Their temporary homes behind Lahaina Foodland will again, kick their families out after a specified amount of time. Then the process starts all over again - their foundational basic need will be taken away again.
Meanwhile, many condos sit empty, waiting for their next weekend's guests to show up to put an absurd amount of cash into the owner's/property manager's pockets. They like to talk about the economy tanking, restaurants closing, and people losing their jobs. Let's be real: they only care about their profits. People will find new jobs. Restaurants will be frequented by locals, as they have been. To hear the owners and property managers say the condos are "too expensive" for locals to rent or buy says all we need to know about these people. They are stating that all locals are poor and staying that way, and don't deserve to rent or buy. Marie Antoinette once said "Let them eat cake", and this is the same message the locals are getting from the owners. They will also say that they have to use their condos as a STR because they need the income to pay their mortgages, HOA fees, and themselves as a way to make a living. Let me be clear: Owners and property managers only care about their bottom lines. Meanwhile, their condos may sit empty for months at a time when so many families are in such desperation for housing. People who use these condos as investments should invest elsewhere; there are so many options in the entire world they can buy.
As I mentioned in my previous testimony, I live in Makawao and commute to Kapalua everyday to give these students as much love and stability I can give them. They deserve it. I had planned to move to Lahaina but since the fire I recognize that the multigenerational families need housing more, and I refuse to take housing away from the people. I don't care about the drive just so my students and their families will have one more housing option if I stay in Makawao.
I ask you. Please help the children on our island by voting to ban the Minatoya condos.
Mahalo for your time.
Gina Jones, M.Ed
2nd Grade Teacher
King Kamehameha III Elementary School
P.S. I have attached a picture of my students for you to see their sweet faces before making your decision.
Aloha mai kākou, my name is Janice.
I strongly SUPPORT Bill 9 to phase out short term rentals on the Minatoya list WITHOUT special protections for timeshares. Hearing testimonies for and against Bill 9 at the June 9 council meeting, and after reading other e-comments, I am even more convinced that the 6,127 units on the Minatoya list should be converted to long-term housing. Yes, they are older, and will very likely require refurbishment or remodeling. However, this cost would be much less than building new units. Short term housing has pushed our ʻohana out, driven up rents, and turned residential neighborhoods into commercial zones. I wonder how those STR owners in opposition to Bill 9 would feel if this situation existed in their communities? Local residents are being told to accept the status quo, or to be patient and wait for change. If we donʻt make the necessary changes now to ensure sufficient housing for our community, then when will we? ‘Aʻole! Enough is enough!
Please return housing to the community first, where it belongs!
Mahalo.
We’ve been blessed to share God’s sacred land at the Kaanapali Plantation. Because family responsibilities require us to be on the mainland the majority of the year, we share with others through the short term rental program what God has shared with us. Beside it being the right thing to not have the unit sit empty, this creates a plethora of money for Maui County. We pay 10k more in property taxes, renters pay sales tax on their nightly rent, their meals, excursions, souvenirs, etc, etc. In addition, our visitors create numerous jobs in the service and hospitality industry as documented in the research analysis. Lastly, although I believe the demand for this beautiful land will always stay strong keeping valuations high, even if there is the predicted 30% valuation drop, our property would still sell (don’t get me wrong, we will not sell regardless of outcome) for a million dollars. Add this to the 53 year old complex fluctuating HOA fee of over 30k per year and it is clear to see this bill does not create affordable housing and is not in the best interest of the vast majority of Maui County residents. Thank you for your time..
I'm pretty bummed I keep getting pushed to this e-comment after sending in my testimony to all council members. The last email I got said "to officially" send it in, I needed to use the e-comment link?? This is really a run around again. Well, in addition to what I sent in, I'd like to just add one more thing........I think the water example Paele did with the non vacation rental versus vacation rental was a good idea. However, I do not think those complexes are good comparisons AT ALL! He used Palms at Wailea (Short term rentable) and then Wailea Palms (Long Term only) they do have about the same amount of units that does compare, but the long term side has many second homes, meaning the people aren't even there. I feel like a much better comparison would be 2 complexes that are full of people all the time, say Kihei Villages (Long term only) versus Maui Vista(short term rental). That would make a lot more sense to guage a number of the water usage. I've sent my testimony in several times so hopefully that is taken into account in addition to this e-comment.
My name is Jenny and I strongly oppose bill 9. Coming from Macau and Hong Kong, I understand your housing shortage.
I grew up in government subsidized housing in Hong Kong and you must build similar services here in Maui. My family started in 200USD per month subsidized housing, which gave us the ability to work and save for a larger subsidized flat. That was decades ago and Hong Kong still offers subsidized flats at 295usd per month - up to 90% subsidy. I then immigrated to America and started over again.
Please take a look at Hong Kong’s Home Ownership Scheme, green form subsidized home ownership, and subsidized-sale sandwich class scheme. These saved at least 30-40% versus private offerings.
These programs delivered substantial savings through scaled development, land subsidies, and restrictions on resale. They prove that publicly supported housing can offer real affordability, unlike short‑term fixes like Bill 9, which won’t generate new housing stock or control long-term costs.
Aloha County members,
My name is Alex Bendetov. I am Washington State resident. Our family acquired a vacation rental unit few years ago. I strongly believe that phasing out short term rentals will have no effect on the availability of affordable housing and has a great potential to harm local economy on multiple layers (taxes collected, tourist dollars spending money at local businesses, jobs for cleaners and property managers going away. Property on or close to the water will always be more desirable, and will always sell at a premium. Bulk of the units on the Minatoya list at current prices only make sense if you are reach and want a second home or if you intend to rent it out part of the time. Even with 30% price drop as predicted by the UHERO study, they will still be out of reach for families looking for affordable housing options. Looking at the Zillow listings, there is no shortage of available housing, there is shortage of units which can be purchased at affordable prices. Also, if it was not for vacation rentals, Maui would not have the capacity to house fire victims. If all those units were long term rentals, there simply would not be sufficient capacity.
I hope the decision will be made based on data and reason, and Maui will have a thriving economy.
Maui County Council Bill 9 seeks to phase out short-term rentals to prioritize the housing needs of residents over the demands of tourism. This bill does not strip property owners of their rights; rather, it adjusts zoning regulations to encourage long-term rentals. Current property owners will still have the opportunity to earn rental income, but the focus will shift to providing stable housing for local families and workers. This is a critical distinction and one that underscores the fairness of the proposed legislation.
The displacement caused by the wildfire has left Maui residents scattered across the island, state, and even the mainland United States. Phasing out short-term rentals will help increase the housing inventory, offering displaced residents a chance to rebuild their lives on Maui. By providing more available housing, the bill will also help stabilize monthly rent prices, making housing more accessible and affordable for all residents.
A robust workforce is essential for Maui’s economy to thrive, yet many workers have been forced to leave due to the lack of affordable housing. By phasing out short-term rentals, Bill 9 will ensure that housing is available for Maui’s labor force, enabling businesses to maintain their operations and provide essential services. If we continue to prioritize tourism and short-term profits over the needs of residents, Maui risks losing the very people who sustain its economy and culture.
Short-term rental operators have raised concerns about the potential financial impact of Bill 9. While these arguments merit consideration, the broader community’s needs must take precedence. The housing crisis affects every aspect of life on Maui, from education and healthcare to business and community well-being. The benefits of stabilizing the housing market far outweigh the drawbacks, especially when the long-term health of the island is at stake.
For too long, previous administrations have hesitated to address the root causes of Maui’s housing crisis, allowing the situation to worsen. Bill 9 represents an opportunity to reverse this trend and enact meaningful change. This legislation is not merely a policy adjustment; it is a commitment to prioritizing the needs of Maui’s residents over external pressures.
The time to act is now. The challenges are immense, but they are not insurmountable. By phasing out short-term rentals, Maui can take a significant step toward addressing its housing crisis, preserving its workforce, and rebuilding its communities. Let us seize this moment to make a difference and ensure that Maui remains a place where residents can live, work, and thrive for generations to come.
I am in opposition of this bill because it does not make sense and I have identified many ERRORS in the Mayors report.
-On pages 38-39, it says from 2010-2023, 161 homes were built in W. Maui and 111 built in S. Maui. On page 39 it says that of the homes built in W. Maui from 2010-2023, 448 are occupied by residents and 639 by non-residents. How does 448+639=161? And for S. Maui, 249 occupied by residents and 415 non-residents. How does 249+415= 111 homes built in South Maui? This is misleading because there have not been any vacation rental condos built from 2010-2023, only hotels.
-On page 83, property 1 is 100% occupied and property 2 is 26% occupied, so it would make sense that if there are 1/4 of the occupants, they would use only 1/4 of the water that the other property uses. The claim that TVR's use more resources is misleading. If the goal of this bill is to have more empty, unoccupied condos, then that's what should be stated. Individual condos in the Minatoya STR's are able to educate their guests and have more of an influence on their water/electricity usage than the hotels. Hotels use much more water than the Minatoya STR's.
-I found 10 more similar false claims in the Mayor's presentation which really has me worried, because this bill is NOT going to do what the Mayor hopes it will do. It is NOT based on facts. It will NOT help the residents of Maui. The only people it may benefit are the HOTELS, and the mainland investors who will buy the condos at a discount which will only exasperate the problem.
Let me also be clear, I am a resident of Maui and I want to see more affordable housing options! I do not want to see any more hotels built and I want the moratorium on new TVR permits to be extended. Minatoya STR's should be allowed to continue. If there is a complex where it makes sense to disallow it, target those, but please do not vote to phase out all of the Minatoya List Condos. They do not equal affordable condos even if the prices were 25% less. This bill takes away opportunity for residents to earn a better living. One simple example, my cleaner makes $200/clean, which takes her 1-2 hours. Hotel housekeeping staff get paid $20/hour. My cleaner can afford to buy her own property, while the hotel housekeeper can afford to pay rent. Every department in a hotel equals a small business for the Minatoya condos. People of Maui deserve to own their own homes! We need to create more opportunities instead of squashing them! Please oppose this bill for Maui. Mahalo!
Submitted June 17, 2025 | Maui County Housing and Land Use Committee
Aloha Chair and Councilmembers,
I submit this testimony in strong support of Bill 9 and urge you not to be swayed by the sudden influx of opposition voices on Granicus. The number of testimonies is not a true measure of community will — it is a reflection of who feels their profits are at stake.
Opponents of Bill 9 are often those who directly benefit from the continued commercialization of apartment-zoned properties, particularly short-term vacation rentals (STVRs) that were never intended to function as hotels. They are now fighting — not for the community — but to protect speculative investment returns, often at the expense of local residents and renters.
Let’s be clear: Bill 9 seeks to restore integrity to zoning laws, protect long-term housing, and prioritize Maui’s people over tourism profit. That is its kuleana. Opponents claim that rescinding STVR permits will not help housing, but this is factually false.
There is ample data from across the islands and nationally that shows converting STVRs back to residential use increases housing inventory, moderates rents, and relieves displacement pressures. Maui has lost thousands of units to the short-term market. Even if not all of these units become “affordable housing” in the technical sense, every unit returned to long-term use helps stabilize the housing ecosystem.
Opponents argue that HOA fees, taxes, and insurance make these units unaffordable. But this is misleading. Not all units will be for low-income residents, and that’s not the only point. Middle-income residents — essential workers, nurses, teachers, kūpuna — are also being priced out, and they desperately need options.
The idea that these properties “feed the community” through tax revenues is morally upside-down. Tax revenue is no substitute for shelter. We cannot continue to justify community harm by measuring economic output alone. A healthy society protects its residents, not just its tax base.
Many of these STVR units have operated under grandfathered or conditionally permitted exceptions that were never meant to become permanent entitlements. Just because something thrived for a time does not mean it must continue, especially when the public cost is so high. Zoning is not a gift to investors — it is a contract with the public.
I also want to address why it seems like supporters of Bill 9 are in the minority on Granicus. The answer is simple:
• STVR opponents are more organized, wealthier, and louder because they are directly protecting income-generating assets.
• The supporters — residents, renters, future buyers, displaced families — are less organized, less vocal, and often unaware how this bill helps them.
• Granicus does not reflect quiet suffering. It reflects who has the means and motivation to submit repeated testimony.
Please do not confuse silence with support for the status quo. The families living in cars, couchsurfing, or paying 60% of their income in rent are not logging into Granicus. They are surviving. It is your job to be their voice.
Bill 9 is not radical. It is restorative. It closes loopholes that have been exploited. It signals that our County will no longer prioritize hotel-like profits in residential zones while our people suffer displacement, overcrowding, and hopelessness.
Let’s be real: this is not about HOAs, taxes, or vacation memories. This is about power — who holds it, who wields it, and who is left behind. If you believe your duty is to the public trust and not to investor ROI, then you must pass Bill 9.
I am writing as a regular visitor to Maui with deep personal and family connections to the island, to respectfully express my opposition to Bill 9, which proposes to phase out legally operating short-term rentals in apartment-zoned areas.
My visits to Maui are not just vacations—they are meaningful opportunities to spend time with relatives, support local businesses, and immerse myself in the unique culture and community of the island. Each time I visit, I choose to stay in a legal short-term rental because it offers a practical and affordable alternative to hotels, especially when traveling with extended family. These rentals allow me to be near my loved ones while also experiencing Maui in a way that feels more connected to local life.
Importantly, I—and many visitors like me—spend a significant portion of our budget at locally owned restaurants, grocery stores, farmers markets, cultural attractions, and small businesses. This spending directly supports the local economy and jobs. The availability of short-term rentals makes these repeat visits possible. Removing them would not only reduce my ability to visit regularly, but also reduce the amount I am able to contribute to Maui’s economy.
I understand the need to balance the interests of local residents with those of visitors, and I fully support efforts to preserve housing for long-term residents. However, I believe there is a way to achieve this goal without eliminating legal, well-managed short-term rentals that operate responsibly, pay taxes, and serve an important role in Maui’s visitor economy.
I respectfully urge the Council to reconsider the sweeping approach of Bill 9 and instead pursue balanced policies that allow for the continued operation of regulated short-term rentals while addressing housing concerns through targeted measures.
Thank you for your time and for considering the voices of visitors who care deeply about Maui and want to be part of its future in a respectful and sustainable way.
Thank you for your consideration that long term rentals are not going to be financially feasible at Haleakala Shores, Kihei. My monthly expense is $3250 (for a hypothetical long term rental): mortgage($180k), property tax, insurance, HOA dues. HOA dues keeps going up every year by $100/month. I can't rent my place for the required amount with no pets, 1 parking space and no storage. And look at my low mortgage, that was on original purchase price of $250k in 2003. So only owner occupied or empty will work at Haleakala Shores. Thus my place becomes untenable. I am a retired senior who depends on the small income per year ($10k) and the appreciation of my property. It will be unsellable. By taking this property from me, it will hurt me badly. I will have to sue the county which I don't want to do. Can you give me $1000 a month to make the long term rentals feasible in my complex. Please vote no.
Aloha council.
I am opposed to bill 9 but not opposed to affordable housing. I think these condos are economic assets that have proven to be net benefit for the county. Hundreds of condos are currently for sale at prices much lower than any Minatoya condo would "come online" for. List price and condo fees are lower, they are residential and in residential communities (not surrounded by hotels and hotel zoned STRs), but have been on MLS for hundreds of days. Are you ok casting financial ruination on these owners just to flood the market with discounted properties that are still priced out of range for a local buyer?
All you're doing by approving Bill 9 is changing one mainland owner who is a net contributor to the island (STR owner) for a mainland buyer who just uses it as a vacation property.
The solution is to do what has been asked of you for decades. Build more affordable housing.
STRs create the revenue streams to make this happen, and I guarantee you that phasing out these A-zoned condos is nothing but a fool's errand.
I'm a dental assistant and my partner is a landscaper and we have a secure rental, so pass or not, it doesn't affect us directly, but without these rentals and the money they provide the county, I expect all of our costs to rise. Enough is enough. Do things that make sense, not thing that make a small group of radicals happy.
Aloha County Council members
Mahalo for your tireless attention to this controversial Bill 9.
As a 30+ yrs. real estate appraiser, I would like to let you be aware of
what is probably an unintentioned outcome of Bill 9's threat to Minatoya
list apts. So far this year the Bill 9 threat has significantly depressed
the sale prices of condos.that are on the list (ex: in my complex the most recent sale
is a reduction of 38% from the 2024 tax valuation). However cheaper condos. are
presenting A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY FOR RETIREES!!!..who
have dreamed of owning "a slice of paradise" for their retirement from the mainland
(agents say "yes we are seeing a lot of mainlanders"). Every week 78,400 people
turn 65 in the US. Only a fraction of 1% need to love Maui enough to move here
for retirement...and Bill 9 would give them much cheaper condos. to buy...to live in
not to long term rent. Bill 9 gives little or nothing to current residents..and it takes
away 100's of jobs and family incomes.
A NO vote is truly responsible government
Mahalo, Ron Hansen,22 yr resident, Hauoli st, Wailuku
My housecleaners are looking to move off island, as Bill 9 would destroy their livlihood of the past 8 years.
The Univ. of Hawaii analysis says 1900 jobs would be lost if Bill 9 is approved. This loss becomes 3800+ jobs
when "trickle down" losses are included..ie 1900 direct losses cause a fall off in families' spending...which,
in turn causes more job losses..thruout the economy...and, obviously, the jobless have to move off island to get a job.
My housecleaners are looking to move off island, as Bill 9 would destroy their livlihood of the past 8 years.
The Univ. of Hawaii analysis says 1900 jobs would be lost if Bill 9 is approved. This loss becomes 3800+ jobs
when "trickle down" losses are included..ie 1900 direct losses cause a fall off in families' spending...which,
in turn causes more job losses..thruout the economy...and, obviously, the jobless have to move off island to get a job.
As an owner of 2 condos in Wailea I strongly strongly oppose the short-term rental bill.
I own a unit at the Grand Champions condominiums located in Wailea. This condominium is on the Minatoya list. When it was built it was meant to be used as a vacation rental. This property is listed as a condo-hotel for property tax purposes. Not for residential use!!!
Furthermore I am spending 6 month of the year on Maui and I am well connected with local people in Kehei and Wailea. Several of my friends are either business owners on Maui and or are working for a corporation on Maui. All my friends are very concerned when all the units of the Miniatoya list will no longer be able to lease their units. This would have a huge impact on their business and or their work place.
Eckhard Evers
Aloha mai kākou, council members. My name is Justin Kekoa Kekiwi and I want to thank you for your time and your listening ears. I support Bill 9.
I want to thank Mayor Bissen and his staff for proposing this bill and doing such a good job on their presentation. It gave us factual information by thoroughly gathering data, while addressing the positive and negative impacts by bill 9. It's fairly obvious that our housing crisis far outweighs the oppositions concerns and loss of profits. Maui County is prepared to take on the ripple effects when this bill is approved and has the viable solutions to cover those differences, so, this is an easy decision to help out a lot of our local families, this council should support the Mayor's proposal.
I do want to echo the mayor, that this is not the solution to our housing crisis. However, it is a bold step in the right direction, and I commend the Mayor and his staff for pushing this forward, but we have decades of poor planning and bad decisions to address, so this is just the beginning.
Council members, mayor Bissen, and supporting staff, I would like to see a similar approach and course of action taken for all of these luxury developments currently being proposed. 10,000 plus units throughout Maui in the next several years surfacing and moving forward. A VERY small percentage of those units will be affordable. A lot of those units are even stated in their plans that it's targeted for out of State residents or investors, and that's straight up unacceptable. I urge the County to do the studies, the graphs, figure out those numbers as you did for the TVRs to create a bill that allows our community members to become home owners to a bigger portion of these units. Those investors should be mandated to open their books and only be allowed a certain amount of profit, not millions and millions off of our resources and limited housing opportunities.
These 6,000 tvr units being converted back to longterm rentals is just one of many ways to keep our families home. If we continue to move in this direction, where the communities needs is priority over foreign investments ànd if we incorporate that into our laws and these future developments, you will see our community thrive, and that Aloha spirit that has been dwindling away, it will grow and spread again, I guarantee you that! So, please council members, make this a unanimous decision and approve Bill 9.
Mahalo kākou....
TESTIMONY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF BILL 9 (2025)
Submitted to: Maui County Council, Housing and Land Use Committee
Date: June 18, 2025
From: Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi
Aloha Chair Lee, Vice Chair Sugimura and Councilmembers,
Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi submits this written testimony in strong support of Bill 9 (2025), which would phase out transient vacation rentals (TVRs) in apartment-zoned districts across Maui County. This legislation is long overdue and urgently needed.
For decades, the so-called “Minatoya List” has allowed hundreds of units to be diverted away from local families and toward the short-term visitor industry, despite the fact that transient vacation rentals were removed as a permissible use in apartment zones as early as 1989. These exceptions have contributed to our devastating housing crisis, displacing working-class residents, Native Hawaiian families, kūpuna, and keiki who can no longer afford to live in their own communities.
The devastating August 2023 fires only magnified this crisis. Over 5,400 homes were destroyed, leaving more than 12,000 people displaced and worsening an already impossible housing market. Every available unit must be focused on the urgent and long-term needs of Maui residents—not short-term profits for absentee investors.
Bill 9 fulfills the original purpose of our apartment zones: to provide higher-density long-term housing for residents, not for tourists. By removing the TVR exception for buildings built or approved prior to 1989, this bill restores the intent of past zoning laws and reasserts the County’s duty to put local people first.
We mahalo Mayor Bissen for standing firm on this issue and for stating clearly:
“Housing is not a speculative asset. It is a basic human need... Bill 9 is more than a policy — it’s a promise to our people.”
Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi calls upon the Maui County Council to honor the voices of the lāhui who have spoken out, marched, testified, and grieved in the face of loss. This bill is one essential step in reclaiming housing for residents and restoring balance in our communities.
Vote YES on Bill 9.
Me ke aloha ʻāina,
Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi
TESTIMONY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF BILL 9 (2025)
Submitted to: Maui County Council, Housing and Land Use Committee
Date: June 18, 2025
From: Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi
Aloha Chair Lee, Vice Chair Sugimura and Councilmembers,
Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi submits this written testimony in strong support of Bill 9 (2025), which would phase out transient vacation rentals (TVRs) in apartment-zoned districts across Maui County. This legislation is long overdue and urgently needed.
For decades, the so-called “Minatoya List” has allowed hundreds of units to be diverted away from local families and toward the short-term visitor industry, despite the fact that transient vacation rentals were removed as a permissible use in apartment zones as early as 1989. These exceptions have contributed to our devastating housing crisis, displacing working-class residents, Native Hawaiian families, kūpuna, and keiki who can no longer afford to live in their own communities.
The devastating August 2023 fires only magnified this crisis. Over 5,400 homes were destroyed, leaving more than 12,000 people displaced and worsening an already impossible housing market. Every available unit must be focused on the urgent and long-term needs of Maui residents—not short-term profits for absentee investors.
Bill 9 fulfills the original purpose of our apartment zones: to provide higher-density long-term housing for residents, not for tourists. By removing the TVR exception for buildings built or approved prior to 1989, this bill restores the intent of past zoning laws and reasserts the County’s duty to put local people first.
We mahalo Mayor Bissen for standing firm on this issue and for stating clearly:
“Housing is not a speculative asset. It is a basic human need... Bill 9 is more than a policy — it’s a promise to our people.”
Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi calls upon the Maui County Council to honor the voices of the lāhui who have spoken out, marched, testified, and grieved in the face of loss. This bill is one essential step in reclaiming housing for residents and restoring balance in our communities.
Vote YES on Bill 9.
Me ke aloha ʻāina,
Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi
TESTIMONY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF BILL 9 (2025)
Submitted to: Maui County Council, Housing and Land Use Committee
Date: June 18, 2025
From: Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi
Aloha Chair Lee, Vice Chair Sugimura and Councilmembers,
Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi submits this written testimony in strong support of Bill 9 (2025), which would phase out transient vacation rentals (TVRs) in apartment-zoned districts across Maui County. This legislation is long overdue and urgently needed.
For decades, the so-called “Minatoya List” has allowed hundreds of units to be diverted away from local families and toward the short-term visitor industry, despite the fact that transient vacation rentals were removed as a permissible use in apartment zones as early as 1989. These exceptions have contributed to our devastating housing crisis, displacing working-class residents, Native Hawaiian families, kūpuna, and keiki who can no longer afford to live in their own communities.
The devastating August 2023 fires only magnified this crisis. Over 5,400 homes were destroyed, leaving more than 12,000 people displaced and worsening an already impossible housing market. Every available unit must be focused on the urgent and long-term needs of Maui residents—not short-term profits for absentee investors.
Bill 9 fulfills the original purpose of our apartment zones: to provide higher-density long-term housing for residents, not for tourists. By removing the TVR exception for buildings built or approved prior to 1989, this bill restores the intent of past zoning laws and reasserts the County’s duty to put local people first.
We mahalo Mayor Bissen for standing firm on this issue and for stating clearly:
“Housing is not a speculative asset. It is a basic human need... Bill 9 is more than a policy — it’s a promise to our people.”
Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi calls upon the Maui County Council to honor the voices of the lāhui who have spoken out, marched, testified, and grieved in the face of loss. This bill is one essential step in reclaiming housing for residents and restoring balance in our communities.
Vote YES on Bill 9.
Me ke aloha ʻāina,
Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi
Dear Maui County Council,
I have submitted testimony before the last meeting, but planned on going in person tomorrow to speak but ended up not being able to. As such, I wish to submit another written testimony but from a different point of view that has not been discussed by anyone; the children of Lahaina.
I am a second grade teacher at King Kamehameha III Elementary School. I was teaching right after the fire when we were located at Princess Nahi'ena'ena and saw first hand what the fire did to the children. The trauma, the PTSD, the constant wondering if they would go home to another fire. I have seen many of my students' grades fall, them not eating their lunches, and wondering who would pick them up from school "just in case" their parents did not survive the day. Additionally, wondering where they were going to spend the night tonight because their homes burned down. Some students moved over 10 times in 6 months; they would talk about leaving their toys behind because they couldn't find them when they were being rushed out of the hotels. Students with 6 or 8 children in their families were being forced to sleep 4 in a bed, or on the floor.
According to Maslov's Heirarchy of Needs, a stable home is the most fundamental factor in a child's life, next to food, that enables them to thrive in daily life. It is impossible to expect students to care about anything in their lives when they don't have their basic needs met. Their thoughts are consumed. Their negative behaviors come out. Their school progress falls flat or even below levels before the fire.
Some students are finally beginning to show progress, 2 years later. Others are having to catch up because they lost so much. Their temporary homes behind Lahaina Foodland will again, kick their families out after a specified amount of time. Then the process starts all over again - their foundational basic need will be taken away again.
Meanwhile, many condos sit empty, waiting for their next weekend's guests to show up to put an absurd amount of cash into the owner's/property manager's pockets. They like to talk about the economy tanking, restaurants closing, and people losing their jobs. Let's be real: they only care about their profits. People will find new jobs. Restaurants will be frequented by locals, as they have been. To hear the owners and property managers say the condos are "too expensive" for locals to rent or buy says all we need to know about these people. They are stating that all locals are poor and staying that way, and don't deserve to rent or buy. Marie Antoinette once said "Let them eat cake", and this is the same message the locals are getting from the owners. They will also say that they have to use their condos as a STR because they need the income to pay their mortgages, HOA fees, and themselves as a way to make a living. Let me be clear: Owners and property managers only care about their bottom lines. Meanwhile, their condos may sit empty for months at a time when so many families are in such desperation for housing. People who use these condos as investments should invest elsewhere; there are so many options in the entire world they can buy.
As I mentioned in my previous testimony, I live in Makawao and commute to Kapalua everyday to give these students as much love and stability I can give them. They deserve it. I had planned to move to Lahaina but since the fire I recognize that the multigenerational families need housing more, and I refuse to take housing away from the people. I don't care about the drive just so my students and their families will have one more housing option if I stay in Makawao.
I ask you. Please help the children on our island by voting to ban the Minatoya condos.
Mahalo for your time.
Gina Jones, M.Ed
2nd Grade Teacher
King Kamehameha III Elementary School
P.S. I have attached a picture of my students for you to see their sweet faces before making your decision.
Aloha mai kākou, my name is Janice.
I strongly SUPPORT Bill 9 to phase out short term rentals on the Minatoya list WITHOUT special protections for timeshares. Hearing testimonies for and against Bill 9 at the June 9 council meeting, and after reading other e-comments, I am even more convinced that the 6,127 units on the Minatoya list should be converted to long-term housing. Yes, they are older, and will very likely require refurbishment or remodeling. However, this cost would be much less than building new units. Short term housing has pushed our ʻohana out, driven up rents, and turned residential neighborhoods into commercial zones. I wonder how those STR owners in opposition to Bill 9 would feel if this situation existed in their communities? Local residents are being told to accept the status quo, or to be patient and wait for change. If we donʻt make the necessary changes now to ensure sufficient housing for our community, then when will we? ‘Aʻole! Enough is enough!
Please return housing to the community first, where it belongs!
Mahalo.
We’ve been blessed to share God’s sacred land at the Kaanapali Plantation. Because family responsibilities require us to be on the mainland the majority of the year, we share with others through the short term rental program what God has shared with us. Beside it being the right thing to not have the unit sit empty, this creates a plethora of money for Maui County. We pay 10k more in property taxes, renters pay sales tax on their nightly rent, their meals, excursions, souvenirs, etc, etc. In addition, our visitors create numerous jobs in the service and hospitality industry as documented in the research analysis. Lastly, although I believe the demand for this beautiful land will always stay strong keeping valuations high, even if there is the predicted 30% valuation drop, our property would still sell (don’t get me wrong, we will not sell regardless of outcome) for a million dollars. Add this to the 53 year old complex fluctuating HOA fee of over 30k per year and it is clear to see this bill does not create affordable housing and is not in the best interest of the vast majority of Maui County residents. Thank you for your time..
I'm pretty bummed I keep getting pushed to this e-comment after sending in my testimony to all council members. The last email I got said "to officially" send it in, I needed to use the e-comment link?? This is really a run around again. Well, in addition to what I sent in, I'd like to just add one more thing........I think the water example Paele did with the non vacation rental versus vacation rental was a good idea. However, I do not think those complexes are good comparisons AT ALL! He used Palms at Wailea (Short term rentable) and then Wailea Palms (Long Term only) they do have about the same amount of units that does compare, but the long term side has many second homes, meaning the people aren't even there. I feel like a much better comparison would be 2 complexes that are full of people all the time, say Kihei Villages (Long term only) versus Maui Vista(short term rental). That would make a lot more sense to guage a number of the water usage. I've sent my testimony in several times so hopefully that is taken into account in addition to this e-comment.
Aloha,
My name is Jenny and I strongly oppose bill 9. Coming from Macau and Hong Kong, I understand your housing shortage.
I grew up in government subsidized housing in Hong Kong and you must build similar services here in Maui. My family started in 200USD per month subsidized housing, which gave us the ability to work and save for a larger subsidized flat. That was decades ago and Hong Kong still offers subsidized flats at 295usd per month - up to 90% subsidy. I then immigrated to America and started over again.
Please take a look at Hong Kong’s Home Ownership Scheme, green form subsidized home ownership, and subsidized-sale sandwich class scheme. These saved at least 30-40% versus private offerings.
These programs delivered substantial savings through scaled development, land subsidies, and restrictions on resale. They prove that publicly supported housing can offer real affordability, unlike short‑term fixes like Bill 9, which won’t generate new housing stock or control long-term costs.
Aloha County members,
My name is Alex Bendetov. I am Washington State resident. Our family acquired a vacation rental unit few years ago. I strongly believe that phasing out short term rentals will have no effect on the availability of affordable housing and has a great potential to harm local economy on multiple layers (taxes collected, tourist dollars spending money at local businesses, jobs for cleaners and property managers going away. Property on or close to the water will always be more desirable, and will always sell at a premium. Bulk of the units on the Minatoya list at current prices only make sense if you are reach and want a second home or if you intend to rent it out part of the time. Even with 30% price drop as predicted by the UHERO study, they will still be out of reach for families looking for affordable housing options. Looking at the Zillow listings, there is no shortage of available housing, there is shortage of units which can be purchased at affordable prices. Also, if it was not for vacation rentals, Maui would not have the capacity to house fire victims. If all those units were long term rentals, there simply would not be sufficient capacity.
I hope the decision will be made based on data and reason, and Maui will have a thriving economy.
Maui County Council Bill 9 seeks to phase out short-term rentals to prioritize the housing needs of residents over the demands of tourism. This bill does not strip property owners of their rights; rather, it adjusts zoning regulations to encourage long-term rentals. Current property owners will still have the opportunity to earn rental income, but the focus will shift to providing stable housing for local families and workers. This is a critical distinction and one that underscores the fairness of the proposed legislation.
The displacement caused by the wildfire has left Maui residents scattered across the island, state, and even the mainland United States. Phasing out short-term rentals will help increase the housing inventory, offering displaced residents a chance to rebuild their lives on Maui. By providing more available housing, the bill will also help stabilize monthly rent prices, making housing more accessible and affordable for all residents.
A robust workforce is essential for Maui’s economy to thrive, yet many workers have been forced to leave due to the lack of affordable housing. By phasing out short-term rentals, Bill 9 will ensure that housing is available for Maui’s labor force, enabling businesses to maintain their operations and provide essential services. If we continue to prioritize tourism and short-term profits over the needs of residents, Maui risks losing the very people who sustain its economy and culture.
Short-term rental operators have raised concerns about the potential financial impact of Bill 9. While these arguments merit consideration, the broader community’s needs must take precedence. The housing crisis affects every aspect of life on Maui, from education and healthcare to business and community well-being. The benefits of stabilizing the housing market far outweigh the drawbacks, especially when the long-term health of the island is at stake.
For too long, previous administrations have hesitated to address the root causes of Maui’s housing crisis, allowing the situation to worsen. Bill 9 represents an opportunity to reverse this trend and enact meaningful change. This legislation is not merely a policy adjustment; it is a commitment to prioritizing the needs of Maui’s residents over external pressures.
The time to act is now. The challenges are immense, but they are not insurmountable. By phasing out short-term rentals, Maui can take a significant step toward addressing its housing crisis, preserving its workforce, and rebuilding its communities. Let us seize this moment to make a difference and ensure that Maui remains a place where residents can live, work, and thrive for generations to come.
I am in opposition of this bill because it does not make sense and I have identified many ERRORS in the Mayors report.
-On pages 38-39, it says from 2010-2023, 161 homes were built in W. Maui and 111 built in S. Maui. On page 39 it says that of the homes built in W. Maui from 2010-2023, 448 are occupied by residents and 639 by non-residents. How does 448+639=161? And for S. Maui, 249 occupied by residents and 415 non-residents. How does 249+415= 111 homes built in South Maui? This is misleading because there have not been any vacation rental condos built from 2010-2023, only hotels.
-On page 83, property 1 is 100% occupied and property 2 is 26% occupied, so it would make sense that if there are 1/4 of the occupants, they would use only 1/4 of the water that the other property uses. The claim that TVR's use more resources is misleading. If the goal of this bill is to have more empty, unoccupied condos, then that's what should be stated. Individual condos in the Minatoya STR's are able to educate their guests and have more of an influence on their water/electricity usage than the hotels. Hotels use much more water than the Minatoya STR's.
-I found 10 more similar false claims in the Mayor's presentation which really has me worried, because this bill is NOT going to do what the Mayor hopes it will do. It is NOT based on facts. It will NOT help the residents of Maui. The only people it may benefit are the HOTELS, and the mainland investors who will buy the condos at a discount which will only exasperate the problem.
Let me also be clear, I am a resident of Maui and I want to see more affordable housing options! I do not want to see any more hotels built and I want the moratorium on new TVR permits to be extended. Minatoya STR's should be allowed to continue. If there is a complex where it makes sense to disallow it, target those, but please do not vote to phase out all of the Minatoya List Condos. They do not equal affordable condos even if the prices were 25% less. This bill takes away opportunity for residents to earn a better living. One simple example, my cleaner makes $200/clean, which takes her 1-2 hours. Hotel housekeeping staff get paid $20/hour. My cleaner can afford to buy her own property, while the hotel housekeeper can afford to pay rent. Every department in a hotel equals a small business for the Minatoya condos. People of Maui deserve to own their own homes! We need to create more opportunities instead of squashing them! Please oppose this bill for Maui. Mahalo!
Public Testimony in Strong Support of Bill 9
Submitted June 17, 2025 | Maui County Housing and Land Use Committee
Aloha Chair and Councilmembers,
I submit this testimony in strong support of Bill 9 and urge you not to be swayed by the sudden influx of opposition voices on Granicus. The number of testimonies is not a true measure of community will — it is a reflection of who feels their profits are at stake.
Opponents of Bill 9 are often those who directly benefit from the continued commercialization of apartment-zoned properties, particularly short-term vacation rentals (STVRs) that were never intended to function as hotels. They are now fighting — not for the community — but to protect speculative investment returns, often at the expense of local residents and renters.
Let’s be clear: Bill 9 seeks to restore integrity to zoning laws, protect long-term housing, and prioritize Maui’s people over tourism profit. That is its kuleana. Opponents claim that rescinding STVR permits will not help housing, but this is factually false.
There is ample data from across the islands and nationally that shows converting STVRs back to residential use increases housing inventory, moderates rents, and relieves displacement pressures. Maui has lost thousands of units to the short-term market. Even if not all of these units become “affordable housing” in the technical sense, every unit returned to long-term use helps stabilize the housing ecosystem.
Opponents argue that HOA fees, taxes, and insurance make these units unaffordable. But this is misleading. Not all units will be for low-income residents, and that’s not the only point. Middle-income residents — essential workers, nurses, teachers, kūpuna — are also being priced out, and they desperately need options.
The idea that these properties “feed the community” through tax revenues is morally upside-down. Tax revenue is no substitute for shelter. We cannot continue to justify community harm by measuring economic output alone. A healthy society protects its residents, not just its tax base.
Many of these STVR units have operated under grandfathered or conditionally permitted exceptions that were never meant to become permanent entitlements. Just because something thrived for a time does not mean it must continue, especially when the public cost is so high. Zoning is not a gift to investors — it is a contract with the public.
I also want to address why it seems like supporters of Bill 9 are in the minority on Granicus. The answer is simple:
• STVR opponents are more organized, wealthier, and louder because they are directly protecting income-generating assets.
• The supporters — residents, renters, future buyers, displaced families — are less organized, less vocal, and often unaware how this bill helps them.
• Granicus does not reflect quiet suffering. It reflects who has the means and motivation to submit repeated testimony.
Please do not confuse silence with support for the status quo. The families living in cars, couchsurfing, or paying 60% of their income in rent are not logging into Granicus. They are surviving. It is your job to be their voice.
Bill 9 is not radical. It is restorative. It closes loopholes that have been exploited. It signals that our County will no longer prioritize hotel-like profits in residential zones while our people suffer displacement, overcrowding, and hopelessness.
Let’s be real: this is not about HOAs, taxes, or vacation memories. This is about power — who holds it, who wields it, and who is left behind. If you believe your duty is to the public trust and not to investor ROI, then you must pass Bill 9.
Mahalo for your time
Raymond Kaiama
Re: Opposition to Bill 9 (Short-Term Rental Ban)
Dear Members of the Maui County Council,
I am writing as a regular visitor to Maui with deep personal and family connections to the island, to respectfully express my opposition to Bill 9, which proposes to phase out legally operating short-term rentals in apartment-zoned areas.
My visits to Maui are not just vacations—they are meaningful opportunities to spend time with relatives, support local businesses, and immerse myself in the unique culture and community of the island. Each time I visit, I choose to stay in a legal short-term rental because it offers a practical and affordable alternative to hotels, especially when traveling with extended family. These rentals allow me to be near my loved ones while also experiencing Maui in a way that feels more connected to local life.
Importantly, I—and many visitors like me—spend a significant portion of our budget at locally owned restaurants, grocery stores, farmers markets, cultural attractions, and small businesses. This spending directly supports the local economy and jobs. The availability of short-term rentals makes these repeat visits possible. Removing them would not only reduce my ability to visit regularly, but also reduce the amount I am able to contribute to Maui’s economy.
I understand the need to balance the interests of local residents with those of visitors, and I fully support efforts to preserve housing for long-term residents. However, I believe there is a way to achieve this goal without eliminating legal, well-managed short-term rentals that operate responsibly, pay taxes, and serve an important role in Maui’s visitor economy.
I respectfully urge the Council to reconsider the sweeping approach of Bill 9 and instead pursue balanced policies that allow for the continued operation of regulated short-term rentals while addressing housing concerns through targeted measures.
Thank you for your time and for considering the voices of visitors who care deeply about Maui and want to be part of its future in a respectful and sustainable way.
Sincerely,
Rachelle Yongvonich