IT'S TIME FOR FACTS..NOT JUST POLITICAL PHRASES
Unfortunately fellow residents of Maui have been incited (and mistreated)
by potiticians' phrases" "cultural & social costs", "protect our people", "preserving our quality of life",
"a moral responsibility", "restoring housing to residents", "neighborhood ontegrity", and so on..all
of which has drawn in many to expect results from Bill 9...results which, in the light of facts,
simply do not exist...Bill 9 provides no workers housing, no affordable housing, no feasible home
ownership or rents($4000+/mo.), and no quality of life improvements....only it does provide destruction
of jobs, incomes, and small business profits for sure,..we have seen with Covid what happens to our economy
with a significant drop in visitors. Unfortunately "not one more family leaving Maui" is completely false
as Bill 9 job losses force residents to move off island for work. THIS IS TRAJIC!!!
We do need more Ohana approvals on owner-occupied properties...to immediately
house younger & aged family members..Bill 9 is way too late to give meaningful help to our fire vistims.
Let's get on with constructive ideas for housing..rather than destructive phrases that divide ourselves.
As a 14 year full-time resident and community advocate who’s watched my neighbor’s and friend’s struggles progressively grow in recent years, I felt compelled to offer testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 9.
Although this bill is not a miracle overnight solution to our housing crisis, it’s still an integral first step in the right direction, so I kindly ask that you as our elected public servants will consider supporting this bill.
Yes, there will certainly still be other layers of this crisis that will need to be addressed beyond this bill, but the reality is that ANY amount of housing stock that becomes available for long term rentals or resident homebuyers as a result of Bill 9 is a huge victory as far as instigating a shift in the market, re-instilling a strong sense of community in residential neighborhoods, and freeing up a necessary resource (water) that can be reallocated for further housing development.
I keep hearing a narrative echoed throughout this process about how this bill is destined to fail because these units will never be affordable for local people. Although I do understand that this bill doesn’t exactly address the “affordable” component of our housing crisis, I actually see that as a completely moot point when the overwhelming majority of our residents have already been spending WAY more than 30% of our income on housing. Our residents have not had the luxury of access to “affordable” housing as legally defined for YEARS. We are used to it. It’s how we have already BEEN living for quite some time.
This shift away from access to “affordable” housing that has now snowballed into a lack of available housing-PERIOD- is objectively a direct result of years of unchecked growth of the tourism industry, which then became exacerbated by what may be considered a “boom” of this industry-- which happens to coincide with the STR craze/takeover. Unfortunately, this unchecked growth didn't just impact the price and availability of stable housing. During this growth of the tourism industry, our wages as the resident workforce did NOT experience proportionate growth that comes anywhere close to matching cost-of-living increases over time, effectively leading to grotesque economic disparities and widespread housing instability/homelessness, which we now have no choice but to face and somehow remedy. We are well past the tipping point and we have no choice but to make some changes in how we operate and what things we chose to prioritize going forward.
The unfortunate reality is that we have allowed this disproportionate growth to continue to go on unchecked and unregulated for so long that it’s going to be INCREDIBLY difficult to create a market with true “affordable” housing and bring our residents back comfortably above the poverty line–which brings me to my main point:
Perhaps we the Maui resident community don’t in fact depend on the tourism and STR industry for our survival—and the main reason for that…. is because we CAN’T. It’s already failed to provide livable wages and access to stable housing for our residents. We can all look around us and see the irrefutable proof of how it’s already failed us. We can look around and see how our community of full-time Maui residents are already barely or not surviving in this STR-driven budget-tourism based economic landscape AS IT IS. Today. Right now.
Meanwhile, amongst the tidal wave of testimony you’ve received during this daunting legislative process, are the arguments from the 2nd/3rd homeowners/investors of minatoya units–primarily who reside in other states and are not part of our community-along with the realtors and property managers. This demographic of testifiers are clearly transcending survival–living quite comfortably as they continue to purchase these units as investment properties, effectively depleting our residential housing inventory while simultaneously extracting wealth via their lucrative passive income from their STR investment minatoya units.
Ironically, the functioning of these STR units that enables the generation of passive revenue for off island investors actually directly depends on OUR RESIDENT workforce–who are making such low wages working these industry positions that THESE SAME PEOPLE can’t afford housing, can’t find housing, and can’t survive. So clearly, the tourism/STR industry is NOT “the thing” that the Maui resident community can rely on for survival–the opposite is actually the truth. This industry has directly led to a greatly diminished ability for our people to survive here–all for the sake of a legal loophole that’s allowed outside investors to exploit our resources and push our people to the margins.
Assuming the County’s legal advisors know that the legality of this bill is legitimate (or else why would we all be here putting so much time into this), it really just comes down to which group of people you’ve heard from whom you feel are more deserving of compassion and advocacy in this situation; the people from our community who have stood before you sharing experiences of housing instability/insecurities, homelessness, and/or who are currently paying far more than 30% of their income on housing and are barely surviving-OR-the people who own multiple second/third+ vacation homes/rental properties-the majority of whom don’t even live on island or file taxes in the state of Hawaii-who have stood before you complaining about the financial ramifications of their risky investments and how we (the struggling impoverished working class residents who can’t access secure housing) can’t survive without this industry. Your decision to support this bill will prove to Maui County residents that you agree that the right thing in this situation is to prioritize the residents of our community who are experiencing or are on the precipice of homelessness instead of the real estate investors who predominantly reside off Maui AND who do not face homelessness regardless of whether or not Bill 9 passes. Supporting this bill will show the people of Maui that you believe our survival is important and takes precedence in this situation. As elected officials and public servants, it is your kuleana to advocate for the needs of our residents and look for solutions to the poor quality of life issues we have found ourselves facing. Nobody is ever entitled to a return on investment, and this scenario is no different. Please do not let these outside investors who do not even file taxes in the state of Hawaii fool you into thinking its your responsibility to guarantee a return on investment via these minatoya units.
Mahalo for all the time and energy the committee has put towards hearing all this testimony and working to find a viable solution for this extremely difficult predicament we are facing as a community. Your patience and commitment to addressing our housing crisis and economic disparities that would otherwise continue to compound and become a detriment to our future generations has not gone unnoticed.
Testimony in Strong opposition of Bill 9 - Affordable Housing for Local Resident.
Aloha HLU Committee Chair and Councilmembers,
My name is JoAnn Espiritu and I am writing to express concern for Bill 9. I ask that you vote to oppose this bill. As a third generation Maui resident, this bill could ultimately have irreparable consequences that the small family businesses have worked so hard to establish. Eliminating STRS is not the answer. One of the options a community should review is the idea of creating a plan for the approved $1.6 billion from the federal government. That money could be used to assist in: down payments for real affordable single family homes, rural homes, work/live community planning. This is the issue we need to face. STRS are a revenue source for the county, as the saying goes, why cut off your nose to spite your face, in this regard. Work on the real issue of housing for the working families and residents that have been an essential part of the island workforce. The thought of rising prices for a small condo with all it's fees (HOA, maintenance, etc) to permanently live in is not logical. The thought of a single family home that pays directly for the use of public utilities would be logically considered sustaining all businesses and communities that have invested their time and money into the amenities of homeownership. The affordable housing that I can think of, are these apartments in our communities with lower rents but a strict income criteria, and that hinders a person that makes over the amount, which in turn, would not be considered as a renter. This does not make sense as well. So, how do we come up with a solution that everyone wins? I believe the solution is developing a plan of action that will move everything forward and this includes the $1.6 billion dollars in the county of Maui's coffer. I am one individual that works within the STR industry. I am concerned if I have a job or not.
I am concerned for all the independent businesses that have assisted me with maintenance and cleaning, if they will still be able to survive a loss of income? Let's keep affordable homeownership separate from STR ownership. Mahalo for your time and consideration.
We have owned two 1 bedroom condo’s in Kihei for 8 years, which at 700 sq ft, are too small for permanent residences. The taxes & HOA fees are @ $3000/m, plus maintenance fees, so we would need to charge over $4000/m for a long term rental residence, which is not affordable housing, & too expensive for Maui residents to afford.
We provide jobs for local cleaners, maintenance, service companies, & purchase at local businesses, which depend on our business.
As long term responsible owners of property in Kihei we are opposed to this bill to change & eliminate short term rental properties, & require them to be converted to long term residences.
Testimony in Strong Support of Bill 9 – Affordable Housing for Local Residents
Aloha HLU Committee Chair and Councilmembers,
My name is Stacey Moniz and I’m writing to express my strong support for Bill 9 and to urge each of you to vote in favor of this important step toward addressing the housing crisis on Maui.
I don’t often find myself in agreement with this Mayor, but on this issue, I absolutely support his leadership and especially his decision to bring in Matt Jahowsky. His data-driven analysis is clear, grounded, and irrefutable: we cannot simply build our way out of this crisis. The status quo has failed our local families for too long. The time to act is not tomorrow, not next year—it is now.
I am one of the many residents who come from deep roots here. My family has been on Maui for four generations. Yet despite a lifetime of hard work and service to my beloved community, and raising my children here as a single parent, I’ve never been able to purchase a home. I have rented my entire life. One of my children has already left for the continent and was able to buy a home within six months of moving. That should tell us something is deeply wrong with our local housing system.
For the past 13 years, I’m grateful to live with my daughter, her husband, and my two precious grandsons—but the cost of housing is making even this arrangement feel unstable. We are being priced out of our own homeland.
Let me be clear: Bill 9 is not THE solution, but it is a step in the right direction and is something that can be done now. We need every tool available to shift the tide toward housing our people—not just the wealthy, not just investors, but the people who work here, live here and raise families here.
Please be bold. Please be brave. And please vote YES on Bill 9. Now is the time to move forward on housing solutions. Please do this NOW.
Let’s make Maui a place where our children and grandchildren can afford to live.
Mahalo for your time and service, I realize that this is an especially difficult time to be a leader.
I have previously written in support of Bill 9, and I remain firmly in support. By now, the community has clearly dismantled the arguments against this bill. I pray that Council Members recognize these thoughtful points and vote in favor of bill 9 so we can begin the vital work of prioritizing housing and water for local residents.
Itʻs clear to successfully implement Bill 9, additional ways of lowering housing costs on Maui needs to be considered. I’d like to offer one idea that could help lower HOA fees while addressing our critical water shortage.
I’ve lived at Napili Villas on the Westside for 23 years. Since the fire, our HOA fees have nearly doubled due to increased insurance costs, but they’re still only half of what’s charged at some Honokowai properties—many of these are smaller STR units.
One difference may be that our complex does not have swimming pools or jacuzzis. I propose that STR properties begin phasing out pools. Not only would this reduce HOA fees, but it would also conserve water for more appropriate essential needs.
We are incredibly blessed to have the ocean at our doorstep. For those who are elderly or have disabilities, a limited number of pools at hotels or community centers would be a kind solution to their needs.
Even though Bill 9 may not be perfect and may need supplementation, it is critical that we act now to turn the tide—to begin providing housing for Lahaina families before more are forced to move off-island. Please don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good. Please vote pono and help restore hope for our local families. We are counting on you.
Mahalo nui loa.
Aloha and Mahalo for the opportunity to testify.
The problem with the proposed bill is that it's intended to drive prices down to make housing more affordable and provide rental homes for locals. Prices will indeed go back up eventually... we've all seen this cycle before.
By taking away peoples investment plans and the abilitiy to short term rent will likely drive prices down temporarily however who benefits?
When prices drop 20 - 30% buyers swoop in and buy properties at a discount. Most will either hold them, use them as second homes possibly rent long terms but at prices that most locals cannot afford. Insurance premiums have doubled and tripled, Water and Sewer services have gone up and electricity is on the rise as well. Owner's have to allow for these increases and I don't believe that many people can afford long term rentals.
What is really happening is that you are putting the burden on property owners because the County and State have failed to build more affordable housing even though it's been promised by every elected official.
Since these properties were not deed restricted, the government ("The County and State) cannot dictate use... the long protracted litigation that will ensue will cost taxpayers more and the likelihood of prevailing is not good. Further, we do not have a reliable study on the financial impact of this proposed Bill 9. The Mayor refused to pay for it and the only vendor walked away.
Cleaners, laundries, Car rentals, restaurants, gift shops, surf schools, boat excursions and so many more will lose a ton of business because that traveler that might not want to stay in a 4 or 5 star resort hotel, have lost the ability to rent on Maui.
I hope you read this with the intent that it was written which is to look at the real affect of what this Bill will do and see that it is punative, short sighted and will only harm the businesses and citizens of Maui.
Mahalo,
Brad Salter
My family solely survives on our stvr income. We only support local, we use only small unlicensed and in registered businesses. Our property manager will have to change his job and will not be able to live here. This is a violation of our property rights, Maui county can not tell us what we can sell and how we can sell it.
I am here to express my strong opposition to Bill 9.
My name is Andrew Church and I live on Maui.
* My daughter and her mother were born on Maui;
* Her grandmother and great-mother was born on Molokai; and
* Her great-great grandfather was born on Oahu.
Our family survives solely on the income from our short term rentals in Kihei.
Our properties ARE on the Minatoya list.
This ban would essentially wipe out our primary source of income. The Mayor's flawed attempt to provide housing for one family, could potentially leave my family homeless.
Please also understand 3 things:
1) Our ability to short term rent is a legally codified use.
2) The declarations for our properties - CLEARLY state that they allow for short term rental use.
3) These declarations were approved by the County of Maui when they were built.
When we purchased our condos, I had no knowledge of the Minatoya list. My intentions were never to hurt or displace any residents of Maui. Had I known about the Minatoya list, I would not have purchased these condos.
Before buying our condos,
1) I checked the Maui County Property Tax Historical Assessments for my properties.
* From 2015 to 2017 - it says HOTEL / RESORT
* From 2018 to 2025 - it says TVR / STRH
2) In 2022, I visited both the Property Tax Division and Planning Department — where I confirmed that my properties were 100% legal vacation rentals.
I was never told about the "Minatoya list” by either department.
I bought these properties, was out of frustration dealing with the County permit process. It took me almost TWO YEARS to get a building permit for a 7 foot x 7 foot outdoor shower. Yes, TWO YEARS!
After experiencing this excruciating slow permit process, I made the difficult decision to sell my Haiku property and buy my STR condos because no permits were needed.
I purchased another property in Kula in 2017. The planning department provided me with ZONING CONFIRMATION FORM that stated this property was zoned “RU 0.5 Rural District”.
In 2019, the building Inspector told me that I could build a 2nd Accessory Dwelling on this property due the New ADU law - ORDINANCE 4936.
In 2023, after submitting plans for a 2nd ADU, then Planning Dept told me that I could NOT build a 2nd ADU because the County had adopted a new Digital Zoning Map system.
My property was now zoned Ag - even though the State still calls it Rural.
That parcel has Water, Septic and Electric, but still sits empty because the plans were stopped dead by the planning department.
After the Lahaina Fires in August 2023 I went back to the Planning Dept and asked them if I could build on that empty parcel to help with the hosing crisis. Again they said “NO”.
After giving up on trying to build — I was in shock when the Mayor announced his plan to now take away my legally codified right to short term rent my condos.
BILL 9 will be catastrophic for my family, and other local residents that we employ. This ban will eliminate all those jobs, and the income for their local families.
My name is Sandra Le and I oppose Bill 9 because its passage will not accomplish the goal of providing housing relief or preserving the community. I own one Minatoya List condo and the fact is that STRs support local cleaners, handymen, landscapers, tour operators, and restaurants. Banning STRs on the Minatoya List would ripple through the local economy, increasing under-employment and unemployment, not to mention the evaporation of tax dollars collected by the County. It is irresponsible to pass Bill 9 without conducting a full economic study of Bill 9's potential impact. Additionally, many STR condos are not realistically convertible into long-term housing due to high monthly expenses. Contrary to popular belief, monthly HOA costs will not go down simply by converting them from STRs into LTRs. HOA costs are fairly fixed and only go up, never down, and are prohibitively high for many long term renters. This is not a case where properties on the Minatoya List were primarily used for long term housing for locals and then were converted to STRs. The majority of the Minatoya List properties have functioned as STRs since their construction and wholesale banning them from the STR market would provide an economic blow so severe that most locals wouldn't be able to afford them. Bill 9 punishes responsible local operators who comply with regulations and pay taxes. It risks favoring large hotel corporations and wealthy investors who own bigger properties, while shutting out small business owners who rent out their condos to cover expenses. Banning STS on the Minatoya List is a blunt instrument for a complex, nuanced problem and would be ineffective for addressing Maui's lack of affordable housing.
Stop Idealizing Tourists: “Freak-Offs,” “Hotel Nights,” and the Ditty of Decline
Let’s stop pretending. Every single short-term rental (STR) on this island has cleaned up the mess after at least one “freak-off.” You know the type. The “ditty” gets rolling — maybe it’s a bachelorette group, a crypto bro crew, or a yoga retreat that takes a hard left — and suddenly you’ve got a three-day ritual of noise, substances and spiritual vacancy. They don’t see it as disrespect. They call it vacation. But what they’re actually doing is opening portals.
The STR becomes a container for chaos — a site where boundaries dissolve and something darker sets in. Some “tourists” leave behind more than trash and wastewater. They leave behind residue. Psychic clutter. Emotional unrest. A vibration that doesn’t wash out with bleach.
And when the STR manager inevitably flees to the nearest available room, they don’t call it what it is. They say, “It’s just another ‘hotel night.’” But we know what it means: retreat from contamination. Another building spiritually fogged up by other people’s unprocessed shadow work.
It’s time to stop idealizing tourists. The phrase “Maui nō ka ʻoi” means Maui is the best. Which, logically, means every tourist who arrives is lowering the island’s vibration with beliefs and behaviors from wherever they flee. Maui is not their upgrade — they are Maui’s downgrade. We can love visitors without pretending they’re sacred. And we can protect our homes without absorbing the spiritual mess of that small minority that has no direction in life.
When a long-term tenant is considered, past employment, references and history are screened. STR renters allow almost anyone to infiltrate deep into residential districts on a school night without filter or standard, like a hotel. 99 out of 100 guests are probably normal, fine people. But local resident STR neighbors know what it’s like for that one bad guest and their party to take up residence next door for a week or two in an apartment-zoned STR. Hotel districts are not just for casual zoning. They are metaphorical blast containment methods for measurable disturbances in the space-time continuum introduced by the 1% worst visitors.
The physical world isn’t separate from the spiritual — it’s layered with it. Every place holds memory through permanent quantum entanglement. And every person who enters a space leaves something behind. When STRs scatter unchecked across residential neighborhoods, it’s not just noise complaints or parking violations we’re dealing with. It’s spiritual fragmentation. Cracks in the continuity of place. The freak-offs may last a weekend, but the energy they unleash lingers. That’s why zoning matters. That’s why containment matters. Not because we’re fragile — but because this island is alive, and it deserves to be protected like the sacred being it is, with discrete “organs” having specialized “functions” dictated by zoning.
Apartment districts are for residents. Hotel districts are for guests.
You can sage the room, but you can’t unring the bell. Pass the bill!
Has the county council considered purchasing impacted properties at fair market value - to be then converted to long term affordable housing? Based upon conversations - the majority of people I've spoken with - are confident a sufficient number of properties will come onto the market,. This compromise should assist resolving the housing crisis- reduce the need for new construction and avoid the significant legal fees moving forward will incur... Hopefully the committee will consider options outside of do it or don't - compromises do work . Regards Brian
My husband has ancestors as the first burials at St Anthony’s with graves so worn, we only know of them thru talk story. My husband’s parents had to leave the island for work when the pineapple plantations closed. His Oahu based uncle provided construction materials for the vacation condo resorts on South Kihei Rd. Those resorts were built in the 60s thru 80s in fields of kiawe before little residential housing existed and vacation condo development was strongly encouraged by the county of Maui. These STRs took housing away from nobody and were always intended as vacation rentals. For years they have paid the highest tax burden on Maui.
Fact: These STRs have been operating legally since their inception and subsequently were codified by the Minatoya List. There have been no private STRs added since the 80s that have not been hotel constructed. Hotels pay some of the lowest tax burdens on Maui. Residents pay some of the lowest property taxes on Maui due to the over taxation of STRs. Due to poor governance of that tax income, the County of Maui now wants to take away legal vested rights to my property? NO, you can’t force a property owner to rent at a loss. If you want our STRs so badly, Zillow is exploding with devalued Minatoya List condos due to this poorly thought out and researched bill. Maui County should buy those for LTR use. It will certainly be cheaper than the legal battle that will come.
Our condo represents hard work and family legacy to return to the island and our Ohana. Most STR’s are Mom and Pop owned and barely break even. To call us “greedy outside investors” shows little insight. Like most owners, we are usually in the red. Like most owners, we could’ve made better investments than Maui but we come for love of Maui. Until this divisive ugliness I strived to give more than I took from Maui and donated heavy into her causes. Fact: Any STR income is more likely to stay on Maui than hotel income.
I am a travel nurse who lives in our condo part time, I can only provide my nursing skills if I can also rent our condo when I am not here. My condo helps support a housekeeper and a property manager who employs over 50 locals. We gladly pay our large tax bill expecting that the income goes to the people of Maui. We have beloved Multigenerational Ohana that still lives on the island and we want homes for their children. But everyone with critical thinking skills knows there will be NO long-term housing coming from Bill 9. This taking of our legal vested property rights is really antitourisim and racism fed by hotel dark money; this along with the lack of foresight to anticipate a legal battle at great loss to us all. At this point we would never trust our property in the hands of people who have been so glib with our family hard-work legacy. I would rather sell at a loss to an off-island purchaser who can afford to keep my condo empty for personal use. Fact: In a tourism economy, to make so many units go dark where tourist want to stay is a very poor decision.
Grace Pierce
Pays over $17,000 in property tax per year not counting GET/TAT, pays over $20,000 in HOA.
Will never be a landlord and has never made a profit, and with children with more Maui history than people wanting our family hard-work legacy for pennies on the dollar.
While we all support the urgent need for more housing for our local families and friends, I strongly oppose Bill 9 as an impractical and ineffective path forward. Regardless of how one feels about the intent behind the bill, one thing is clear: it will trigger years of costly legal battles and consume millions of taxpayer dollars before any resolution is reached.
The chances of the courts ultimately upholding the proposals in Bill 9 are, at best, a coin flip—and possibly worse. Meanwhile, while the county is locked in litigation, we will be diverting precious time and resources away from addressing Maui’s housing crisis in any meaningful way.
Even if Bill 9 were to survive those legal challenges and go into effect, there is no guarantee that the resulting housing will actually serve local families. We risk creating an influx of new below market-rate units that are quickly snapped up by off-island buyers or new arrivals.
Instead of spending millions defending this bill in court, we should redirect those resources to actually building housing—right now—for local families. We can do this on state land with far less resistance, using the same legislative authority currently being used to push Bill 9. We can also guarantee that this housing ends up being used by local families using workforce and other designations.
We’re tired of hearing excuses from the Mayor and his team about why we can’t build housing for locals—while industrial buildings rise across Kahului, and luxury homes continue to be built on the golf courses in Wailea. We’re told there’s no water to build housing —yet large agricultural companies like Maui Pono are pumping thousands of gallons from groundwater wells every day.
We call on the Mayor and the Housing and Land Use Committee to stop playing politics, and to start taking effective actions to solve our housing crisis—actions that result in real homes for real local families, not legal battles and wishful thinking.
My name is Will Means and I work as a handyman servicing and repairing condominiums in Lahaina. I am opposed to phasing out short-term rentals as described in Bill 9. If short-term rentals are phased out I will lose my job and livelihood. I have lived in Maui for ten years and own a home in Lahaina. Please do not vote for this Bill 9.
Testimony in Strong Support of Bill 9
Aloha Chair Kama and Members of the committee,
My name is Evan Weber, and I am writing today in strong support of Bill 9. Our organization, Our Hawai’i, with tens of thousands of supporters across the pae ‘āina including 7,668 in Maui County, has been in strong support of this effort, and was heavily involved with passing the enabling legislation SB2919 as well.
However, I’d like to focus my testimony on my more personal experience with vacation rentals as a lifelong resident of Kailua on Oʻahu, and a current member of the Kailua Neighborhood Board.
In 2022, following the leadership of our city councilwoman Esther Kia’āina, the City and County of Honolulu passed Bill 41 establishing the banning, regulation and enforcement of short-term rentals outside of resort zones.
Just a few years later, the results are evident: regulating short-term rentals is one of the most impactful actions a county can take to return communities to residents while stabilizing rents and home costs.
While many have tried to complicate this issue, O‘ahu’s success shows that the solution is simple: zoning. We just need to go back to the way things were before. Let resort zones be resort zones, and let neighborhoods be neighborhoods.
Since Bill 41 passed, Kailua feels like it can breathe a little easier. We still have problems with tourism, traffic, over tourism, and visitor management, but we have been able to in hem what was becoming an out of control situation — and our situation pales in comparison to what West and South Maui have become.
Tourists still come to enjoy our beautiful beaches, pristine waters, and local restaurants. They just leave when they pau and sleep somewhere else! Simple as that.
For context, at the height of the problem, 1 in every 8 homes in Kailua was operating as a vacation rental. Of the over 10,000 illegal vacation rentals on Oahu at the time, Data from Inside Airbnb and other studies estimated over 1,500 illegal short-term rentals were in Kailua alone, in a community of just under 15,000 housing units.
Still, this is nowhere severe as West or South Maui, where a majority or supermajority of housing units in some areas are now STRs. But similarly, our small town was bearing the brunt of the burden for the island, and it was truly never meant to be a resort area, with none of the infrastructure or accommodations to be able to handle such an influx. On top of this Kailua is sandwiched between two military bases, the Kāne‘ohe Marine Corps base and Bellows Air Force, and has already had its housing markets significantly altered by that population, as well as dealing with a the other negative impacts.
All of this led to skyrocketing home prices and rents, noise, traffic, and transient activity in what were once stable, family-oriented neighborhoods, the erosion of community ties and escalation of tensions, and even declining school enrollments showing an out-flux of local working families.
Following the passage and enforcement of Oʻahu’s Bill 41, listings for illegal short-term rentals in areas like Kailua dropped by nearly 50% within the first year, according to public data from rental platforms. Rental prices began to stabilize, and in some segments, modest declines were observed as units re-entered the long-term market.
These policies did not solve every housing challenge overnight, but they were a critical first step in reclaiming our housing for residents and preserving the character and livability of our communities. While we have more fights and challenges ahead, this has been a major success and step forward.
Notably, our economy did not crash, tourists still come to visit, and I do think that there is a bit more aloha from us local residents to share knowing that our communities are still for us, not taken over by tourists who do not share the same aloha ‘āina that kama‘āina and kanaka ‘ōiwi do for our wahi pana.
Maui faces even greater pressures from tourism and housing shortages than Oʻahu. Continuing to allow short-term rentals to consume precious housing in apartment zones, originally intended for residents, undermines every effort to address the housing crisis.
Phasing out TVRs in these areas is not anti-tourism — it’s pro-resident. It’s about:
Ensuring working families, kūpuna, and young people can afford to stay on Maui.
Returning housing stock to local residents.
Protecting the unique culture, character, and sustainability of Maui’s communities.
Oʻahu’s experience shows that regulating short-term rentals works — for residents, for neighborhoods, and for the future of our islands. I urge you to pass Bill 9 and take bold, necessary action to protect housing for Maui’s people.
Mahalo for your leadership and consideration.
IT'S TIME FOR FACTS..NOT JUST POLITICAL PHRASES
Unfortunately fellow residents of Maui have been incited (and mistreated)
by potiticians' phrases" "cultural & social costs", "protect our people", "preserving our quality of life",
"a moral responsibility", "restoring housing to residents", "neighborhood ontegrity", and so on..all
of which has drawn in many to expect results from Bill 9...results which, in the light of facts,
simply do not exist...Bill 9 provides no workers housing, no affordable housing, no feasible home
ownership or rents($4000+/mo.), and no quality of life improvements....only it does provide destruction
of jobs, incomes, and small business profits for sure,..we have seen with Covid what happens to our economy
with a significant drop in visitors. Unfortunately "not one more family leaving Maui" is completely false
as Bill 9 job losses force residents to move off island for work. THIS IS TRAJIC!!!
We do need more Ohana approvals on owner-occupied properties...to immediately
house younger & aged family members..Bill 9 is way too late to give meaningful help to our fire vistims.
Let's get on with constructive ideas for housing..rather than destructive phrases that divide ourselves.
As a 14 year full-time resident and community advocate who’s watched my neighbor’s and friend’s struggles progressively grow in recent years, I felt compelled to offer testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 9.
Although this bill is not a miracle overnight solution to our housing crisis, it’s still an integral first step in the right direction, so I kindly ask that you as our elected public servants will consider supporting this bill.
Yes, there will certainly still be other layers of this crisis that will need to be addressed beyond this bill, but the reality is that ANY amount of housing stock that becomes available for long term rentals or resident homebuyers as a result of Bill 9 is a huge victory as far as instigating a shift in the market, re-instilling a strong sense of community in residential neighborhoods, and freeing up a necessary resource (water) that can be reallocated for further housing development.
I keep hearing a narrative echoed throughout this process about how this bill is destined to fail because these units will never be affordable for local people. Although I do understand that this bill doesn’t exactly address the “affordable” component of our housing crisis, I actually see that as a completely moot point when the overwhelming majority of our residents have already been spending WAY more than 30% of our income on housing. Our residents have not had the luxury of access to “affordable” housing as legally defined for YEARS. We are used to it. It’s how we have already BEEN living for quite some time.
This shift away from access to “affordable” housing that has now snowballed into a lack of available housing-PERIOD- is objectively a direct result of years of unchecked growth of the tourism industry, which then became exacerbated by what may be considered a “boom” of this industry-- which happens to coincide with the STR craze/takeover. Unfortunately, this unchecked growth didn't just impact the price and availability of stable housing. During this growth of the tourism industry, our wages as the resident workforce did NOT experience proportionate growth that comes anywhere close to matching cost-of-living increases over time, effectively leading to grotesque economic disparities and widespread housing instability/homelessness, which we now have no choice but to face and somehow remedy. We are well past the tipping point and we have no choice but to make some changes in how we operate and what things we chose to prioritize going forward.
The unfortunate reality is that we have allowed this disproportionate growth to continue to go on unchecked and unregulated for so long that it’s going to be INCREDIBLY difficult to create a market with true “affordable” housing and bring our residents back comfortably above the poverty line–which brings me to my main point:
Perhaps we the Maui resident community don’t in fact depend on the tourism and STR industry for our survival—and the main reason for that…. is because we CAN’T. It’s already failed to provide livable wages and access to stable housing for our residents. We can all look around us and see the irrefutable proof of how it’s already failed us. We can look around and see how our community of full-time Maui residents are already barely or not surviving in this STR-driven budget-tourism based economic landscape AS IT IS. Today. Right now.
Meanwhile, amongst the tidal wave of testimony you’ve received during this daunting legislative process, are the arguments from the 2nd/3rd homeowners/investors of minatoya units–primarily who reside in other states and are not part of our community-along with the realtors and property managers. This demographic of testifiers are clearly transcending survival–living quite comfortably as they continue to purchase these units as investment properties, effectively depleting our residential housing inventory while simultaneously extracting wealth via their lucrative passive income from their STR investment minatoya units.
Ironically, the functioning of these STR units that enables the generation of passive revenue for off island investors actually directly depends on OUR RESIDENT workforce–who are making such low wages working these industry positions that THESE SAME PEOPLE can’t afford housing, can’t find housing, and can’t survive. So clearly, the tourism/STR industry is NOT “the thing” that the Maui resident community can rely on for survival–the opposite is actually the truth. This industry has directly led to a greatly diminished ability for our people to survive here–all for the sake of a legal loophole that’s allowed outside investors to exploit our resources and push our people to the margins.
Assuming the County’s legal advisors know that the legality of this bill is legitimate (or else why would we all be here putting so much time into this), it really just comes down to which group of people you’ve heard from whom you feel are more deserving of compassion and advocacy in this situation; the people from our community who have stood before you sharing experiences of housing instability/insecurities, homelessness, and/or who are currently paying far more than 30% of their income on housing and are barely surviving-OR-the people who own multiple second/third+ vacation homes/rental properties-the majority of whom don’t even live on island or file taxes in the state of Hawaii-who have stood before you complaining about the financial ramifications of their risky investments and how we (the struggling impoverished working class residents who can’t access secure housing) can’t survive without this industry. Your decision to support this bill will prove to Maui County residents that you agree that the right thing in this situation is to prioritize the residents of our community who are experiencing or are on the precipice of homelessness instead of the real estate investors who predominantly reside off Maui AND who do not face homelessness regardless of whether or not Bill 9 passes. Supporting this bill will show the people of Maui that you believe our survival is important and takes precedence in this situation. As elected officials and public servants, it is your kuleana to advocate for the needs of our residents and look for solutions to the poor quality of life issues we have found ourselves facing. Nobody is ever entitled to a return on investment, and this scenario is no different. Please do not let these outside investors who do not even file taxes in the state of Hawaii fool you into thinking its your responsibility to guarantee a return on investment via these minatoya units.
Mahalo for all the time and energy the committee has put towards hearing all this testimony and working to find a viable solution for this extremely difficult predicament we are facing as a community. Your patience and commitment to addressing our housing crisis and economic disparities that would otherwise continue to compound and become a detriment to our future generations has not gone unnoticed.
-Nicole Heard
Testimony in Strong opposition of Bill 9 - Affordable Housing for Local Resident.
Aloha HLU Committee Chair and Councilmembers,
My name is JoAnn Espiritu and I am writing to express concern for Bill 9. I ask that you vote to oppose this bill. As a third generation Maui resident, this bill could ultimately have irreparable consequences that the small family businesses have worked so hard to establish. Eliminating STRS is not the answer. One of the options a community should review is the idea of creating a plan for the approved $1.6 billion from the federal government. That money could be used to assist in: down payments for real affordable single family homes, rural homes, work/live community planning. This is the issue we need to face. STRS are a revenue source for the county, as the saying goes, why cut off your nose to spite your face, in this regard. Work on the real issue of housing for the working families and residents that have been an essential part of the island workforce. The thought of rising prices for a small condo with all it's fees (HOA, maintenance, etc) to permanently live in is not logical. The thought of a single family home that pays directly for the use of public utilities would be logically considered sustaining all businesses and communities that have invested their time and money into the amenities of homeownership. The affordable housing that I can think of, are these apartments in our communities with lower rents but a strict income criteria, and that hinders a person that makes over the amount, which in turn, would not be considered as a renter. This does not make sense as well. So, how do we come up with a solution that everyone wins? I believe the solution is developing a plan of action that will move everything forward and this includes the $1.6 billion dollars in the county of Maui's coffer. I am one individual that works within the STR industry. I am concerned if I have a job or not.
I am concerned for all the independent businesses that have assisted me with maintenance and cleaning, if they will still be able to survive a loss of income? Let's keep affordable homeownership separate from STR ownership. Mahalo for your time and consideration.
We have owned two 1 bedroom condo’s in Kihei for 8 years, which at 700 sq ft, are too small for permanent residences. The taxes & HOA fees are @ $3000/m, plus maintenance fees, so we would need to charge over $4000/m for a long term rental residence, which is not affordable housing, & too expensive for Maui residents to afford.
We provide jobs for local cleaners, maintenance, service companies, & purchase at local businesses, which depend on our business.
As long term responsible owners of property in Kihei we are opposed to this bill to change & eliminate short term rental properties, & require them to be converted to long term residences.
Testimony in Strong Support of Bill 9 – Affordable Housing for Local Residents
Aloha HLU Committee Chair and Councilmembers,
My name is Stacey Moniz and I’m writing to express my strong support for Bill 9 and to urge each of you to vote in favor of this important step toward addressing the housing crisis on Maui.
I don’t often find myself in agreement with this Mayor, but on this issue, I absolutely support his leadership and especially his decision to bring in Matt Jahowsky. His data-driven analysis is clear, grounded, and irrefutable: we cannot simply build our way out of this crisis. The status quo has failed our local families for too long. The time to act is not tomorrow, not next year—it is now.
I am one of the many residents who come from deep roots here. My family has been on Maui for four generations. Yet despite a lifetime of hard work and service to my beloved community, and raising my children here as a single parent, I’ve never been able to purchase a home. I have rented my entire life. One of my children has already left for the continent and was able to buy a home within six months of moving. That should tell us something is deeply wrong with our local housing system.
For the past 13 years, I’m grateful to live with my daughter, her husband, and my two precious grandsons—but the cost of housing is making even this arrangement feel unstable. We are being priced out of our own homeland.
Let me be clear: Bill 9 is not THE solution, but it is a step in the right direction and is something that can be done now. We need every tool available to shift the tide toward housing our people—not just the wealthy, not just investors, but the people who work here, live here and raise families here.
Please be bold. Please be brave. And please vote YES on Bill 9. Now is the time to move forward on housing solutions. Please do this NOW.
Let’s make Maui a place where our children and grandchildren can afford to live.
Mahalo for your time and service, I realize that this is an especially difficult time to be a leader.
Stacey Moniz
I have previously written in support of Bill 9, and I remain firmly in support. By now, the community has clearly dismantled the arguments against this bill. I pray that Council Members recognize these thoughtful points and vote in favor of bill 9 so we can begin the vital work of prioritizing housing and water for local residents.
Itʻs clear to successfully implement Bill 9, additional ways of lowering housing costs on Maui needs to be considered. I’d like to offer one idea that could help lower HOA fees while addressing our critical water shortage.
I’ve lived at Napili Villas on the Westside for 23 years. Since the fire, our HOA fees have nearly doubled due to increased insurance costs, but they’re still only half of what’s charged at some Honokowai properties—many of these are smaller STR units.
One difference may be that our complex does not have swimming pools or jacuzzis. I propose that STR properties begin phasing out pools. Not only would this reduce HOA fees, but it would also conserve water for more appropriate essential needs.
We are incredibly blessed to have the ocean at our doorstep. For those who are elderly or have disabilities, a limited number of pools at hotels or community centers would be a kind solution to their needs.
Even though Bill 9 may not be perfect and may need supplementation, it is critical that we act now to turn the tide—to begin providing housing for Lahaina families before more are forced to move off-island. Please don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good. Please vote pono and help restore hope for our local families. We are counting on you.
Mahalo nui loa.
Aloha and Mahalo for the opportunity to testify.
The problem with the proposed bill is that it's intended to drive prices down to make housing more affordable and provide rental homes for locals. Prices will indeed go back up eventually... we've all seen this cycle before.
By taking away peoples investment plans and the abilitiy to short term rent will likely drive prices down temporarily however who benefits?
When prices drop 20 - 30% buyers swoop in and buy properties at a discount. Most will either hold them, use them as second homes possibly rent long terms but at prices that most locals cannot afford. Insurance premiums have doubled and tripled, Water and Sewer services have gone up and electricity is on the rise as well. Owner's have to allow for these increases and I don't believe that many people can afford long term rentals.
What is really happening is that you are putting the burden on property owners because the County and State have failed to build more affordable housing even though it's been promised by every elected official.
Since these properties were not deed restricted, the government ("The County and State) cannot dictate use... the long protracted litigation that will ensue will cost taxpayers more and the likelihood of prevailing is not good. Further, we do not have a reliable study on the financial impact of this proposed Bill 9. The Mayor refused to pay for it and the only vendor walked away.
Cleaners, laundries, Car rentals, restaurants, gift shops, surf schools, boat excursions and so many more will lose a ton of business because that traveler that might not want to stay in a 4 or 5 star resort hotel, have lost the ability to rent on Maui.
I hope you read this with the intent that it was written which is to look at the real affect of what this Bill will do and see that it is punative, short sighted and will only harm the businesses and citizens of Maui.
Mahalo,
Brad Salter
My family solely survives on our stvr income. We only support local, we use only small unlicensed and in registered businesses. Our property manager will have to change his job and will not be able to live here. This is a violation of our property rights, Maui county can not tell us what we can sell and how we can sell it.
Listen to Stan Franco
Aloha Council Chair,
I am here to express my strong opposition to Bill 9.
My name is Andrew Church and I live on Maui.
* My daughter and her mother were born on Maui;
* Her grandmother and great-mother was born on Molokai; and
* Her great-great grandfather was born on Oahu.
Our family survives solely on the income from our short term rentals in Kihei.
Our properties ARE on the Minatoya list.
This ban would essentially wipe out our primary source of income. The Mayor's flawed attempt to provide housing for one family, could potentially leave my family homeless.
Please also understand 3 things:
1) Our ability to short term rent is a legally codified use.
2) The declarations for our properties - CLEARLY state that they allow for short term rental use.
3) These declarations were approved by the County of Maui when they were built.
When we purchased our condos, I had no knowledge of the Minatoya list. My intentions were never to hurt or displace any residents of Maui. Had I known about the Minatoya list, I would not have purchased these condos.
Before buying our condos,
1) I checked the Maui County Property Tax Historical Assessments for my properties.
* From 2015 to 2017 - it says HOTEL / RESORT
* From 2018 to 2025 - it says TVR / STRH
2) In 2022, I visited both the Property Tax Division and Planning Department — where I confirmed that my properties were 100% legal vacation rentals.
I was never told about the "Minatoya list” by either department.
I bought these properties, was out of frustration dealing with the County permit process. It took me almost TWO YEARS to get a building permit for a 7 foot x 7 foot outdoor shower. Yes, TWO YEARS!
After experiencing this excruciating slow permit process, I made the difficult decision to sell my Haiku property and buy my STR condos because no permits were needed.
I purchased another property in Kula in 2017. The planning department provided me with ZONING CONFIRMATION FORM that stated this property was zoned “RU 0.5 Rural District”.
In 2019, the building Inspector told me that I could build a 2nd Accessory Dwelling on this property due the New ADU law - ORDINANCE 4936.
In 2023, after submitting plans for a 2nd ADU, then Planning Dept told me that I could NOT build a 2nd ADU because the County had adopted a new Digital Zoning Map system.
My property was now zoned Ag - even though the State still calls it Rural.
That parcel has Water, Septic and Electric, but still sits empty because the plans were stopped dead by the planning department.
After the Lahaina Fires in August 2023 I went back to the Planning Dept and asked them if I could build on that empty parcel to help with the hosing crisis. Again they said “NO”.
After giving up on trying to build — I was in shock when the Mayor announced his plan to now take away my legally codified right to short term rent my condos.
BILL 9 will be catastrophic for my family, and other local residents that we employ. This ban will eliminate all those jobs, and the income for their local families.
AGAIN — I strongly oppose Bill 9.
Thank you for your time.
Aloha,
Andrew Church
Listen to Stan Franco
My name is Sandra Le and I oppose Bill 9 because its passage will not accomplish the goal of providing housing relief or preserving the community. I own one Minatoya List condo and the fact is that STRs support local cleaners, handymen, landscapers, tour operators, and restaurants. Banning STRs on the Minatoya List would ripple through the local economy, increasing under-employment and unemployment, not to mention the evaporation of tax dollars collected by the County. It is irresponsible to pass Bill 9 without conducting a full economic study of Bill 9's potential impact. Additionally, many STR condos are not realistically convertible into long-term housing due to high monthly expenses. Contrary to popular belief, monthly HOA costs will not go down simply by converting them from STRs into LTRs. HOA costs are fairly fixed and only go up, never down, and are prohibitively high for many long term renters. This is not a case where properties on the Minatoya List were primarily used for long term housing for locals and then were converted to STRs. The majority of the Minatoya List properties have functioned as STRs since their construction and wholesale banning them from the STR market would provide an economic blow so severe that most locals wouldn't be able to afford them. Bill 9 punishes responsible local operators who comply with regulations and pay taxes. It risks favoring large hotel corporations and wealthy investors who own bigger properties, while shutting out small business owners who rent out their condos to cover expenses. Banning STS on the Minatoya List is a blunt instrument for a complex, nuanced problem and would be ineffective for addressing Maui's lack of affordable housing.
Stop Idealizing Tourists: “Freak-Offs,” “Hotel Nights,” and the Ditty of Decline
Let’s stop pretending. Every single short-term rental (STR) on this island has cleaned up the mess after at least one “freak-off.” You know the type. The “ditty” gets rolling — maybe it’s a bachelorette group, a crypto bro crew, or a yoga retreat that takes a hard left — and suddenly you’ve got a three-day ritual of noise, substances and spiritual vacancy. They don’t see it as disrespect. They call it vacation. But what they’re actually doing is opening portals.
The STR becomes a container for chaos — a site where boundaries dissolve and something darker sets in. Some “tourists” leave behind more than trash and wastewater. They leave behind residue. Psychic clutter. Emotional unrest. A vibration that doesn’t wash out with bleach.
And when the STR manager inevitably flees to the nearest available room, they don’t call it what it is. They say, “It’s just another ‘hotel night.’” But we know what it means: retreat from contamination. Another building spiritually fogged up by other people’s unprocessed shadow work.
It’s time to stop idealizing tourists. The phrase “Maui nō ka ʻoi” means Maui is the best. Which, logically, means every tourist who arrives is lowering the island’s vibration with beliefs and behaviors from wherever they flee. Maui is not their upgrade — they are Maui’s downgrade. We can love visitors without pretending they’re sacred. And we can protect our homes without absorbing the spiritual mess of that small minority that has no direction in life.
When a long-term tenant is considered, past employment, references and history are screened. STR renters allow almost anyone to infiltrate deep into residential districts on a school night without filter or standard, like a hotel. 99 out of 100 guests are probably normal, fine people. But local resident STR neighbors know what it’s like for that one bad guest and their party to take up residence next door for a week or two in an apartment-zoned STR. Hotel districts are not just for casual zoning. They are metaphorical blast containment methods for measurable disturbances in the space-time continuum introduced by the 1% worst visitors.
The physical world isn’t separate from the spiritual — it’s layered with it. Every place holds memory through permanent quantum entanglement. And every person who enters a space leaves something behind. When STRs scatter unchecked across residential neighborhoods, it’s not just noise complaints or parking violations we’re dealing with. It’s spiritual fragmentation. Cracks in the continuity of place. The freak-offs may last a weekend, but the energy they unleash lingers. That’s why zoning matters. That’s why containment matters. Not because we’re fragile — but because this island is alive, and it deserves to be protected like the sacred being it is, with discrete “organs” having specialized “functions” dictated by zoning.
Apartment districts are for residents. Hotel districts are for guests.
You can sage the room, but you can’t unring the bell. Pass the bill!
Aloha
Has the county council considered purchasing impacted properties at fair market value - to be then converted to long term affordable housing? Based upon conversations - the majority of people I've spoken with - are confident a sufficient number of properties will come onto the market,. This compromise should assist resolving the housing crisis- reduce the need for new construction and avoid the significant legal fees moving forward will incur... Hopefully the committee will consider options outside of do it or don't - compromises do work . Regards Brian
My husband has ancestors as the first burials at St Anthony’s with graves so worn, we only know of them thru talk story. My husband’s parents had to leave the island for work when the pineapple plantations closed. His Oahu based uncle provided construction materials for the vacation condo resorts on South Kihei Rd. Those resorts were built in the 60s thru 80s in fields of kiawe before little residential housing existed and vacation condo development was strongly encouraged by the county of Maui. These STRs took housing away from nobody and were always intended as vacation rentals. For years they have paid the highest tax burden on Maui.
Fact: These STRs have been operating legally since their inception and subsequently were codified by the Minatoya List. There have been no private STRs added since the 80s that have not been hotel constructed. Hotels pay some of the lowest tax burdens on Maui. Residents pay some of the lowest property taxes on Maui due to the over taxation of STRs. Due to poor governance of that tax income, the County of Maui now wants to take away legal vested rights to my property? NO, you can’t force a property owner to rent at a loss. If you want our STRs so badly, Zillow is exploding with devalued Minatoya List condos due to this poorly thought out and researched bill. Maui County should buy those for LTR use. It will certainly be cheaper than the legal battle that will come.
Our condo represents hard work and family legacy to return to the island and our Ohana. Most STR’s are Mom and Pop owned and barely break even. To call us “greedy outside investors” shows little insight. Like most owners, we are usually in the red. Like most owners, we could’ve made better investments than Maui but we come for love of Maui. Until this divisive ugliness I strived to give more than I took from Maui and donated heavy into her causes. Fact: Any STR income is more likely to stay on Maui than hotel income.
I am a travel nurse who lives in our condo part time, I can only provide my nursing skills if I can also rent our condo when I am not here. My condo helps support a housekeeper and a property manager who employs over 50 locals. We gladly pay our large tax bill expecting that the income goes to the people of Maui. We have beloved Multigenerational Ohana that still lives on the island and we want homes for their children. But everyone with critical thinking skills knows there will be NO long-term housing coming from Bill 9. This taking of our legal vested property rights is really antitourisim and racism fed by hotel dark money; this along with the lack of foresight to anticipate a legal battle at great loss to us all. At this point we would never trust our property in the hands of people who have been so glib with our family hard-work legacy. I would rather sell at a loss to an off-island purchaser who can afford to keep my condo empty for personal use. Fact: In a tourism economy, to make so many units go dark where tourist want to stay is a very poor decision.
Grace Pierce
Pays over $17,000 in property tax per year not counting GET/TAT, pays over $20,000 in HOA.
Will never be a landlord and has never made a profit, and with children with more Maui history than people wanting our family hard-work legacy for pennies on the dollar.
I own 3 stvr minatoya units, please please please pass bill 9
And listen to Stan Franco
While we all support the urgent need for more housing for our local families and friends, I strongly oppose Bill 9 as an impractical and ineffective path forward. Regardless of how one feels about the intent behind the bill, one thing is clear: it will trigger years of costly legal battles and consume millions of taxpayer dollars before any resolution is reached.
The chances of the courts ultimately upholding the proposals in Bill 9 are, at best, a coin flip—and possibly worse. Meanwhile, while the county is locked in litigation, we will be diverting precious time and resources away from addressing Maui’s housing crisis in any meaningful way.
Even if Bill 9 were to survive those legal challenges and go into effect, there is no guarantee that the resulting housing will actually serve local families. We risk creating an influx of new below market-rate units that are quickly snapped up by off-island buyers or new arrivals.
Instead of spending millions defending this bill in court, we should redirect those resources to actually building housing—right now—for local families. We can do this on state land with far less resistance, using the same legislative authority currently being used to push Bill 9. We can also guarantee that this housing ends up being used by local families using workforce and other designations.
We’re tired of hearing excuses from the Mayor and his team about why we can’t build housing for locals—while industrial buildings rise across Kahului, and luxury homes continue to be built on the golf courses in Wailea. We’re told there’s no water to build housing —yet large agricultural companies like Maui Pono are pumping thousands of gallons from groundwater wells every day.
We call on the Mayor and the Housing and Land Use Committee to stop playing politics, and to start taking effective actions to solve our housing crisis—actions that result in real homes for real local families, not legal battles and wishful thinking.
My name is Will Means and I work as a handyman servicing and repairing condominiums in Lahaina. I am opposed to phasing out short-term rentals as described in Bill 9. If short-term rentals are phased out I will lose my job and livelihood. I have lived in Maui for ten years and own a home in Lahaina. Please do not vote for this Bill 9.
Listen to Stan Franco
Testimony in Strong Support of Bill 9
Aloha Chair Kama and Members of the committee,
My name is Evan Weber, and I am writing today in strong support of Bill 9. Our organization, Our Hawai’i, with tens of thousands of supporters across the pae ‘āina including 7,668 in Maui County, has been in strong support of this effort, and was heavily involved with passing the enabling legislation SB2919 as well.
However, I’d like to focus my testimony on my more personal experience with vacation rentals as a lifelong resident of Kailua on Oʻahu, and a current member of the Kailua Neighborhood Board.
In 2022, following the leadership of our city councilwoman Esther Kia’āina, the City and County of Honolulu passed Bill 41 establishing the banning, regulation and enforcement of short-term rentals outside of resort zones.
Just a few years later, the results are evident: regulating short-term rentals is one of the most impactful actions a county can take to return communities to residents while stabilizing rents and home costs.
While many have tried to complicate this issue, O‘ahu’s success shows that the solution is simple: zoning. We just need to go back to the way things were before. Let resort zones be resort zones, and let neighborhoods be neighborhoods.
Since Bill 41 passed, Kailua feels like it can breathe a little easier. We still have problems with tourism, traffic, over tourism, and visitor management, but we have been able to in hem what was becoming an out of control situation — and our situation pales in comparison to what West and South Maui have become.
Tourists still come to enjoy our beautiful beaches, pristine waters, and local restaurants. They just leave when they pau and sleep somewhere else! Simple as that.
For context, at the height of the problem, 1 in every 8 homes in Kailua was operating as a vacation rental. Of the over 10,000 illegal vacation rentals on Oahu at the time, Data from Inside Airbnb and other studies estimated over 1,500 illegal short-term rentals were in Kailua alone, in a community of just under 15,000 housing units.
Still, this is nowhere severe as West or South Maui, where a majority or supermajority of housing units in some areas are now STRs. But similarly, our small town was bearing the brunt of the burden for the island, and it was truly never meant to be a resort area, with none of the infrastructure or accommodations to be able to handle such an influx. On top of this Kailua is sandwiched between two military bases, the Kāne‘ohe Marine Corps base and Bellows Air Force, and has already had its housing markets significantly altered by that population, as well as dealing with a the other negative impacts.
All of this led to skyrocketing home prices and rents, noise, traffic, and transient activity in what were once stable, family-oriented neighborhoods, the erosion of community ties and escalation of tensions, and even declining school enrollments showing an out-flux of local working families.
Following the passage and enforcement of Oʻahu’s Bill 41, listings for illegal short-term rentals in areas like Kailua dropped by nearly 50% within the first year, according to public data from rental platforms. Rental prices began to stabilize, and in some segments, modest declines were observed as units re-entered the long-term market.
These policies did not solve every housing challenge overnight, but they were a critical first step in reclaiming our housing for residents and preserving the character and livability of our communities. While we have more fights and challenges ahead, this has been a major success and step forward.
Notably, our economy did not crash, tourists still come to visit, and I do think that there is a bit more aloha from us local residents to share knowing that our communities are still for us, not taken over by tourists who do not share the same aloha ‘āina that kama‘āina and kanaka ‘ōiwi do for our wahi pana.
Maui faces even greater pressures from tourism and housing shortages than Oʻahu. Continuing to allow short-term rentals to consume precious housing in apartment zones, originally intended for residents, undermines every effort to address the housing crisis.
Phasing out TVRs in these areas is not anti-tourism — it’s pro-resident. It’s about:
Ensuring working families, kūpuna, and young people can afford to stay on Maui.
Returning housing stock to local residents.
Protecting the unique culture, character, and sustainability of Maui’s communities.
Oʻahu’s experience shows that regulating short-term rentals works — for residents, for neighborhoods, and for the future of our islands. I urge you to pass Bill 9 and take bold, necessary action to protect housing for Maui’s people.
Mahalo for your leadership and consideration.