Hello. My name is Sharyn L. Borodina and I oppose Bill 9 because I believe it is not an effective means to fix the housing problem on Maui. First of all I would like to say that we do sympathize with the housing situation on Maui. I hope that one positive from all the debate surrounding this bill, is that it will motivate the citizens of Hawaii and their leaders to really look hard at making some common sense long term changes that will positively impact the residents of Hawaii. The issues have been around long before the Lahaina fire, it's time to fix them.
My family has owned a 622 square foot condo in Kahana for 24 years. This space is ideal for two people, allows no pets, comes with one parking place, costs $10,000 annually in Property Taxes, and since the Lahaina fire the HOA's have gone up by $1000 monthly for a total of $2100 per month. So if you are doing the math, factoring also in utilities, we pay $3500 per month for this beautiful little space.
I am one quarter Hawaiian. I was adopted as an infant by another family, but my biological father was from Hawaii, and somewhere in my family line I have grandparents who are full blooded Hawaiian/Porteguese. I say this because part of our reason for keeping the condo, in this season of its management, is the connection I have to the people and culture of Hawaii.
Though I hear a lot of rhetoric that it's big Relestate companies that own many of these condos, it is the only Vacation Rental that we own. Running it part time as a STR allows us to pay for it, and pays for our family to visit. We also employ local Hawaiians, some who have worked for us for almost 25 years, to help with its upkeep and housekeeping. Since my work is primarily in the non-profit work, we also open it up often for free to full time aid works and ministry workers who would normally not be able to afford to come to Hawaii.
Beyond the obvious, that this little condo was not built or intended for residential use, to keep us from being able to run it part time as a STR would be devastating to our employees, and would most likely lead us to have to sell it.
Though I am not at this time a full time resident of Hawaii, I am a part time resident, tax payer, and first and foremost American. I care about this country, and I desire to participate in making any place I am vested in better for all its citizens. I am prayerful and hopeful that the elected officials and community leaders will come to the right decision, and begin working towards a plan that will be helpful for all residents of Hawaii, including it's part time residents.
Thankyou for your time.
Sharyn L. Borodina
Youth with a Mission-Ukraine
Director
I have seen some comments in support of the bill by showing examples of other cities like Barcelona, Santa Barbara etc having successfully introduced similar programs. Please keep in mind these cities have long history, with established economies that are very diverse. They have scientific, cultural, financial and many other industries supporting their economy. In comparison Maui is an isolated island that imports almost all its goods and services, with drastically reduced tourism which basically supports over 70% of the economic activity, it will be reduced to a playground for the rich, with a population of natives to serve them. The reality is the only beneficiary to this bill are the big resorts in Wailea/ Kaanapali etc which have already almost doubled their prices since the fire. I think its clear to everybody.
As a local resident who invested in an STR in 2017 we have seen steadily increasing HOA fees mostly due to insurance costs rising as well as decreasing visitors impacting occupancy rates. We also have long term rentals at our residential property which are occupied by tenants who work in the visitor industry. They clean condos and work in restaurants. What I would like to the council to know is that all of these housing issues are linked by the visitor industry. A drop in visitors will affect all housing because the workers you aim to support through Bill 9 will also see lost income or jobs as a result. We only have one resource ever since the plantation economy has disappeared and that is tourism. Eliminate options for middle class tourists to visit Maui and you will also hurt locals.
I support housing before short term rentals but I think you need to consider the serious long-term effects for all parties included. Maybe make even higher taxes for people who use this places and investment versus their home but also taken into consideration that most of the local people who live here will not be able to afford these properties that will range in the five to $6000 a month between the mortgage and HOA fee fees that these units will become empty and dilapidated… and you also can’t expect homeowners to cut rent in half and take the hit if the county isn’t going to provide them with some sort of tax reduction, or provision to compensate…, hoping for a win-win situation for all. please consider the residential concerns before tourism
I am opposed to the motion before us to eliminate STR. I am a Canadian whom owns a condo in Kihei. I live 2 hours from the Canadian Ft McMurray fire that 4 yrs ago destroyed 2600 homes and damaged 580 others. I live 4 hours from the Jasper national park fire that one year ago destroyed 350 dwellings. We have just evacuated 30,000 inhabitants from other fire zones this summer. Ft McMurray is rebuilding almost completely by now. Jasper after 11 months has already brought in 300 temporary camp housing units to prepare for summer tourist season.
Homelessness is also very prevalent in our cities. That is a different problem. It is severe problem with large dangerous encampments scattered about , keeping our police and health forces very busy.
Homeless and folks displaced by fires are two different issues. They need to be resolved in different fashions.
Your motion to eliminate STRs will do nothing to solve homelessness, nor to replace family homes lost in fires.
As a Canadian who lives this , please solve both problems properly.
I am writing as a dedicated state worker who has called Hawai‘i home for the past 13 years. My spouse and I have long dreamed of building a life here—starting a family and finding a modest home to call our own.
I feel incredibly fortunate to hold a leadership position in my division on Maui. My work is deeply fulfilling, and I’m proud to contribute to the essential operations that keep our community running. However, despite my senior role and stable income, my spouse and I struggle to afford even a basic apartment suitable for raising a child—homeownership feels entirely out of reach.
When housing alone consumes more than half of a professional’s salary—and that’s considered normal—it’s clear our community is out of balance. We rely on skilled workers to fill critical roles across the state, yet the cost of living, especially housing, is making it nearly impossible to attract and retain this talent.
How can I, in good conscience, encourage bright, educated professionals to join my team when I know they’ll struggle just to find a place to live? And our team needs dedicated long-term professionals because it takes years to have them become proficient in the field and build relationship with the community members. How can we expect them to stay and build a life here when homeownership is not even on the horizon?
Bill 9 offers a critical step forward. By phasing out short-term rentals, it aims to make housing more accessible and affordable for essential workers—those who are the backbone of our communities and state functions.
For these reasons, I strongly support Bill 9 and urge you to pass it for the sake of Maui’s working families and the long-term health of our island community.
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members,
Our family is the owner of three short-term vacation rental on Maui. While my family and I are not full-time residents, we consider ourselves part of the Maui community. We care deeply about the island and its people, and we make every effort to contribute meaningfully every time we are here.
Through our rentals, we actively promote and support local businesses that we’ve come to know and love — places like Maui Dreams Diving, Café O’Lei, and Coconut’s Fish Café. We recommend these small businesses, along with over 30+ other small businesses, in our welcome guide and personally encourage our guests to visit them. These aren’t just favorite spots — they are local employers we have gotten to know over the years who depend on visitor revenue to survive.
Beyond economic support, we believe in giving back to the Maui community. After the Lahaina fire, our family volunteered for five full days at the Lahaina Gateway Center, working 12-hour shifts to help distribute supplies to survivors. My son, Isaac, and I are also trained volunteers at the Maui Humane Society — there are times during our visits that we’ve spent more time volunteering at the shelter than walking the beach. We’ve supported Maui Habitat for Humanity, Maui Strong, and donated both funds and furniture to The Maui Farm, which provides critical transitional housing and life skills training for women and children facing homelessness or domestic violence.
We understand the need to protect housing for locals, but phasing out STRs in this way overlooks the many owners like us who act as stewards of the community — who contribute, support local jobs, and serve. We also contributed over $200,000 in taxes to the Maui community last year, between property taxes and TAT/GE taxes that our rentals generate. I urge the Council to consider a balanced approach that preserves this spirit of partnership rather than eliminating it.
Mahalo for your time and thoughtful consideration.
Jillian Hochstetler
My name is Brian Paris, and I’m a resident of Lahaina. I was going to speak in addition to my emailed testimony but unfortunately I am unable to get out of a work obligation. Here are my thought at this point:
I’m here to share my opposition to Bill 9 in its current form—not because I’m against solving the housing crisis, but because I care deeply about finding real, effective solutions that help our people now.
If I believed this bill would fix our housing shortage, I’d support it without hesitation. But I think there are better, faster, and more collaborative options we should consider.
A few years ago, Councilmember Paltin proposed ideas that made a lot of sense—like allowing local residents to participate in short-term rentals, or restricting STRs in areas most vulnerable to sea level rise. In light of the fire and the rebuilding efforts underway, I think now is the time to revisit those ideas. They may gain more traction today than they did back then.
Here’s another practical solution: purchase the Minatoya properties. Many of these units are now selling at 30 to 50 percent discount since the fire. Acquiring them would allow the County to immediately house displaced residents—right now, not years from now. It would also prevent them from being scooped up by outside investors, helping keep these homes in local hands for the long term.
We all agree—we need housing for local families, and we need it now. The path forward won’t be easy, but it can be smart, timely, and inclusive. I truly hope you’ll consider amending or killing Bill 9 and rewriting in a way that reflects the urgency of our housing crisis while protecting our community’s future.
And lastly, I want to speak to the tone of this debate. There’s been a lot of harsh words and division, especially online. But I truly believe most people—on all sides—are good people. We all love Maui. We care about each other, and we want to see our families housed, our economy strong, and our community whole again.
Thank you for your time and for listening with open hearts.
My 93-year-old mother, Betty Humber, purchased our 555 square foot condo at Polynesian Shores in 1975. As an original owner all these years our family has enjoyed the week or two we visit each year. As realtors, we have been more than happy to support the structure of a rental property for the Maui economy. From local managers to cleaning companies to leasing commissions to GET and TAT taxes and remodel contractors, we're proud to do our part for a strong economy. Betty is living comfortably at home in Napa, CA these days but needs 24 hour care and attention. The income from our Maui rental contributes nicely to her more than $20,000 monthly care expenses and was something she could always count on as she grew older. Our small condo was never intended to support a family of four or more. The hot water runs out in 5 minutes. In real estate you learn that every action you take results in an equal and opposite reaction. Please don't be short sighted and upset our small cog in your economy that means so much to Betty. Thank you, Carl Knudsen, Betty's son (650) 697-2918
Jobs for the people are more important than housing. Eliminating opportunities for good paying jobs dramatically reduces the need for housing. The horrible loss of lives & homes was terrible for Maui. The loss of opportunities for employment, self-respect and being self-sufficient can be even worse as it affects our society for generations. It is apparent the UH study significantly underestimates the loss of jobs by cutting off STR's. Like it or not we are dependent on vacation revenue. Government employees will be lossed when FEMA's income dries up because of the loss of tax revenue from vacationers. Please protect our Ohana by voting NO. Mahalo, Big Kahuna
From: Tim Tolan <tolan.tim51@gmail.com>
Date: June 4, 2025 at 12:31:58 PM PDT
To: county.clerk@mauicounty.us
Subject: bill 9
Council Members:
I am writing as an owner of a condo at Maui Kamaole. My wife and I have owned three condos at this location over the past 22 years. As you can imagine we have employed numerous local service businesses to maintain our property, not to mention our cleaning staff who have been with us the entire tenure.
We have averaged over 240 days rented per year and personally used the condo two to three months ourselves. The amount of money collected in lodging taxes, and spent on groceries, restaurants, activities, car rentals etc. by us and our renters is significant. Eliminating STRs will drastically decrease the county's revenue source which has been proven by multiple studies. This is not the answer to the housing shortage.
Please keep in mind if you pass this poorly conceived bill, you may be helping some locals, but hurting the majority since it will negatively affect Maui's tourism economy. Ask yourself, without work, are the those needing housing in a position to purchase or rent these condominiums?
Thank you for your time,
Tim and Linda Tolan
Hello, I oppose the short-term rental ban. Maui doesn't have alternative revenue source in place and flight activity is down over 37% at OGG & HNL. The island must first diversify its economy before getting rid of its economic tourism engine or working people will suffer. Thank you, Mike Anderson
Most, if not all, of the properties listed are unlikely to convert into affordable housing for local residents. The homeowner association (HOA) dues associated with these units are exceptionally high, making short-term vacation rentals the only feasible way for owners to offset these costs. Long-term rental rates would need to be prohibitively high to cover such expenses.
Even if these properties were sold, the outcome would remain unchanged; the HOA fees would continue to make them unaffordable for long-term occupancy. A more effective solution is to streamline the permitting process and prioritize the development of new affordable housing projects that establish sustainable neighborhoods for permanent residents. The county should actively incentivize developers through tax credits and land discounts to encourage this type of construction.
It is worth noting that the proponents of this bill appear to be supported by the hotel industry, which has a vested interest in reducing competition from condominium rentals located along the same beachfront areas.
— Jacki Motto
If you want to add amendments we want DNA testing on all purchaser of condo going forward the STR money tax should go to our rents If the unit breaks on us we move to another unit at the cost of the landlord we no pay
Not enough parking spaces we can park on lawns they are no good too much water we don’t need much but make hoale pay
Aloha Hearing Committee,
As the UHERO studt, as well as the Mayor's presentation (the 1st day of hearings) shows us
Bill 9 looks like a TRAGIC PROMISE that only takes away our jobs & incomes ..so what good
is more housing without our jobs?....and gives us no affordable housing in return..a loose/loose situation.
Why are we wasting our time & energy for this TRAGEDY??
Let's get on with more affordable housing like the 2 projects coming soon to Kihei.
I strongly oppose Bill 9.
J. Lester, Kihei
Properties already on the Montoya List for Short term Rentals must remain intact to avoid mass negative impact on Maui’s economy. Not only owners would be devastated, a hardship would be impacted on the service industry, including Housekeepers, maintenence personel, transportation, grocery, restaurants, servers, Boat captains & employees, all activities & excursion owners & employees, landscapers, Rental car companies, property management and other service employees. The major decrease of TAT Taxes collected would negatively affect the entire economy of Maui. Short term vacation property owners are not the solution. Common sense tells us these units are not set up for families. Most are small sq footage, & have no storage, garages or areas for children to play. The real issue is Maui county did not keep up with affordable housing construction, but allowed Big Developers to bring in high end multi-million dollar properties without regard for building affordable support housing. I vote to keep STR’s already on the Montoya list alone.
Pam Jensen
Owner
Pacific Shores
Hello. My name is Sharyn L. Borodina and I oppose Bill 9 because I believe it is not an effective means to fix the housing problem on Maui. First of all I would like to say that we do sympathize with the housing situation on Maui. I hope that one positive from all the debate surrounding this bill, is that it will motivate the citizens of Hawaii and their leaders to really look hard at making some common sense long term changes that will positively impact the residents of Hawaii. The issues have been around long before the Lahaina fire, it's time to fix them.
My family has owned a 622 square foot condo in Kahana for 24 years. This space is ideal for two people, allows no pets, comes with one parking place, costs $10,000 annually in Property Taxes, and since the Lahaina fire the HOA's have gone up by $1000 monthly for a total of $2100 per month. So if you are doing the math, factoring also in utilities, we pay $3500 per month for this beautiful little space.
I am one quarter Hawaiian. I was adopted as an infant by another family, but my biological father was from Hawaii, and somewhere in my family line I have grandparents who are full blooded Hawaiian/Porteguese. I say this because part of our reason for keeping the condo, in this season of its management, is the connection I have to the people and culture of Hawaii.
Though I hear a lot of rhetoric that it's big Relestate companies that own many of these condos, it is the only Vacation Rental that we own. Running it part time as a STR allows us to pay for it, and pays for our family to visit. We also employ local Hawaiians, some who have worked for us for almost 25 years, to help with its upkeep and housekeeping. Since my work is primarily in the non-profit work, we also open it up often for free to full time aid works and ministry workers who would normally not be able to afford to come to Hawaii.
Beyond the obvious, that this little condo was not built or intended for residential use, to keep us from being able to run it part time as a STR would be devastating to our employees, and would most likely lead us to have to sell it.
Though I am not at this time a full time resident of Hawaii, I am a part time resident, tax payer, and first and foremost American. I care about this country, and I desire to participate in making any place I am vested in better for all its citizens. I am prayerful and hopeful that the elected officials and community leaders will come to the right decision, and begin working towards a plan that will be helpful for all residents of Hawaii, including it's part time residents.
Thankyou for your time.
Sharyn L. Borodina
Youth with a Mission-Ukraine
Director
I have seen some comments in support of the bill by showing examples of other cities like Barcelona, Santa Barbara etc having successfully introduced similar programs. Please keep in mind these cities have long history, with established economies that are very diverse. They have scientific, cultural, financial and many other industries supporting their economy. In comparison Maui is an isolated island that imports almost all its goods and services, with drastically reduced tourism which basically supports over 70% of the economic activity, it will be reduced to a playground for the rich, with a population of natives to serve them. The reality is the only beneficiary to this bill are the big resorts in Wailea/ Kaanapali etc which have already almost doubled their prices since the fire. I think its clear to everybody.
Listen to Stan Franco
As a local resident who invested in an STR in 2017 we have seen steadily increasing HOA fees mostly due to insurance costs rising as well as decreasing visitors impacting occupancy rates. We also have long term rentals at our residential property which are occupied by tenants who work in the visitor industry. They clean condos and work in restaurants. What I would like to the council to know is that all of these housing issues are linked by the visitor industry. A drop in visitors will affect all housing because the workers you aim to support through Bill 9 will also see lost income or jobs as a result. We only have one resource ever since the plantation economy has disappeared and that is tourism. Eliminate options for middle class tourists to visit Maui and you will also hurt locals.
I support housing before short term rentals but I think you need to consider the serious long-term effects for all parties included. Maybe make even higher taxes for people who use this places and investment versus their home but also taken into consideration that most of the local people who live here will not be able to afford these properties that will range in the five to $6000 a month between the mortgage and HOA fee fees that these units will become empty and dilapidated… and you also can’t expect homeowners to cut rent in half and take the hit if the county isn’t going to provide them with some sort of tax reduction, or provision to compensate…, hoping for a win-win situation for all. please consider the residential concerns before tourism
I am opposed to the motion before us to eliminate STR. I am a Canadian whom owns a condo in Kihei. I live 2 hours from the Canadian Ft McMurray fire that 4 yrs ago destroyed 2600 homes and damaged 580 others. I live 4 hours from the Jasper national park fire that one year ago destroyed 350 dwellings. We have just evacuated 30,000 inhabitants from other fire zones this summer. Ft McMurray is rebuilding almost completely by now. Jasper after 11 months has already brought in 300 temporary camp housing units to prepare for summer tourist season.
Homelessness is also very prevalent in our cities. That is a different problem. It is severe problem with large dangerous encampments scattered about , keeping our police and health forces very busy.
Homeless and folks displaced by fires are two different issues. They need to be resolved in different fashions.
Your motion to eliminate STRs will do nothing to solve homelessness, nor to replace family homes lost in fires.
As a Canadian who lives this , please solve both problems properly.
I am writing as a dedicated state worker who has called Hawai‘i home for the past 13 years. My spouse and I have long dreamed of building a life here—starting a family and finding a modest home to call our own.
I feel incredibly fortunate to hold a leadership position in my division on Maui. My work is deeply fulfilling, and I’m proud to contribute to the essential operations that keep our community running. However, despite my senior role and stable income, my spouse and I struggle to afford even a basic apartment suitable for raising a child—homeownership feels entirely out of reach.
When housing alone consumes more than half of a professional’s salary—and that’s considered normal—it’s clear our community is out of balance. We rely on skilled workers to fill critical roles across the state, yet the cost of living, especially housing, is making it nearly impossible to attract and retain this talent.
How can I, in good conscience, encourage bright, educated professionals to join my team when I know they’ll struggle just to find a place to live? And our team needs dedicated long-term professionals because it takes years to have them become proficient in the field and build relationship with the community members. How can we expect them to stay and build a life here when homeownership is not even on the horizon?
Bill 9 offers a critical step forward. By phasing out short-term rentals, it aims to make housing more accessible and affordable for essential workers—those who are the backbone of our communities and state functions.
For these reasons, I strongly support Bill 9 and urge you to pass it for the sake of Maui’s working families and the long-term health of our island community.
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members,
Our family is the owner of three short-term vacation rental on Maui. While my family and I are not full-time residents, we consider ourselves part of the Maui community. We care deeply about the island and its people, and we make every effort to contribute meaningfully every time we are here.
Through our rentals, we actively promote and support local businesses that we’ve come to know and love — places like Maui Dreams Diving, Café O’Lei, and Coconut’s Fish Café. We recommend these small businesses, along with over 30+ other small businesses, in our welcome guide and personally encourage our guests to visit them. These aren’t just favorite spots — they are local employers we have gotten to know over the years who depend on visitor revenue to survive.
Beyond economic support, we believe in giving back to the Maui community. After the Lahaina fire, our family volunteered for five full days at the Lahaina Gateway Center, working 12-hour shifts to help distribute supplies to survivors. My son, Isaac, and I are also trained volunteers at the Maui Humane Society — there are times during our visits that we’ve spent more time volunteering at the shelter than walking the beach. We’ve supported Maui Habitat for Humanity, Maui Strong, and donated both funds and furniture to The Maui Farm, which provides critical transitional housing and life skills training for women and children facing homelessness or domestic violence.
We understand the need to protect housing for locals, but phasing out STRs in this way overlooks the many owners like us who act as stewards of the community — who contribute, support local jobs, and serve. We also contributed over $200,000 in taxes to the Maui community last year, between property taxes and TAT/GE taxes that our rentals generate. I urge the Council to consider a balanced approach that preserves this spirit of partnership rather than eliminating it.
Mahalo for your time and thoughtful consideration.
Jillian Hochstetler
Aloha Chair and Councilmembers,
My name is Brian Paris, and I’m a resident of Lahaina. I was going to speak in addition to my emailed testimony but unfortunately I am unable to get out of a work obligation. Here are my thought at this point:
I’m here to share my opposition to Bill 9 in its current form—not because I’m against solving the housing crisis, but because I care deeply about finding real, effective solutions that help our people now.
If I believed this bill would fix our housing shortage, I’d support it without hesitation. But I think there are better, faster, and more collaborative options we should consider.
A few years ago, Councilmember Paltin proposed ideas that made a lot of sense—like allowing local residents to participate in short-term rentals, or restricting STRs in areas most vulnerable to sea level rise. In light of the fire and the rebuilding efforts underway, I think now is the time to revisit those ideas. They may gain more traction today than they did back then.
Here’s another practical solution: purchase the Minatoya properties. Many of these units are now selling at 30 to 50 percent discount since the fire. Acquiring them would allow the County to immediately house displaced residents—right now, not years from now. It would also prevent them from being scooped up by outside investors, helping keep these homes in local hands for the long term.
We all agree—we need housing for local families, and we need it now. The path forward won’t be easy, but it can be smart, timely, and inclusive. I truly hope you’ll consider amending or killing Bill 9 and rewriting in a way that reflects the urgency of our housing crisis while protecting our community’s future.
And lastly, I want to speak to the tone of this debate. There’s been a lot of harsh words and division, especially online. But I truly believe most people—on all sides—are good people. We all love Maui. We care about each other, and we want to see our families housed, our economy strong, and our community whole again.
Thank you for your time and for listening with open hearts.
Mahalo,
Brian Paris
Lahaina, Maui, HI
My 93-year-old mother, Betty Humber, purchased our 555 square foot condo at Polynesian Shores in 1975. As an original owner all these years our family has enjoyed the week or two we visit each year. As realtors, we have been more than happy to support the structure of a rental property for the Maui economy. From local managers to cleaning companies to leasing commissions to GET and TAT taxes and remodel contractors, we're proud to do our part for a strong economy. Betty is living comfortably at home in Napa, CA these days but needs 24 hour care and attention. The income from our Maui rental contributes nicely to her more than $20,000 monthly care expenses and was something she could always count on as she grew older. Our small condo was never intended to support a family of four or more. The hot water runs out in 5 minutes. In real estate you learn that every action you take results in an equal and opposite reaction. Please don't be short sighted and upset our small cog in your economy that means so much to Betty. Thank you, Carl Knudsen, Betty's son (650) 697-2918
Jobs for the people are more important than housing. Eliminating opportunities for good paying jobs dramatically reduces the need for housing. The horrible loss of lives & homes was terrible for Maui. The loss of opportunities for employment, self-respect and being self-sufficient can be even worse as it affects our society for generations. It is apparent the UH study significantly underestimates the loss of jobs by cutting off STR's. Like it or not we are dependent on vacation revenue. Government employees will be lossed when FEMA's income dries up because of the loss of tax revenue from vacationers. Please protect our Ohana by voting NO. Mahalo, Big Kahuna
From: Tim Tolan <tolan.tim51@gmail.com>
Date: June 4, 2025 at 12:31:58 PM PDT
To: county.clerk@mauicounty.us
Subject: bill 9
Council Members:
I am writing as an owner of a condo at Maui Kamaole. My wife and I have owned three condos at this location over the past 22 years. As you can imagine we have employed numerous local service businesses to maintain our property, not to mention our cleaning staff who have been with us the entire tenure.
We have averaged over 240 days rented per year and personally used the condo two to three months ourselves. The amount of money collected in lodging taxes, and spent on groceries, restaurants, activities, car rentals etc. by us and our renters is significant. Eliminating STRs will drastically decrease the county's revenue source which has been proven by multiple studies. This is not the answer to the housing shortage.
Please keep in mind if you pass this poorly conceived bill, you may be helping some locals, but hurting the majority since it will negatively affect Maui's tourism economy. Ask yourself, without work, are the those needing housing in a position to purchase or rent these condominiums?
Thank you for your time,
Tim and Linda Tolan
Listen to Stan Franco
Hello, I oppose the short-term rental ban. Maui doesn't have alternative revenue source in place and flight activity is down over 37% at OGG & HNL. The island must first diversify its economy before getting rid of its economic tourism engine or working people will suffer. Thank you, Mike Anderson
OGG TSA Security Checkpoint Customer Volume 6-22-2025
6-22-2025 OGG TSA Throughput -37.4% 2024 10,094 2025 6,314
Most, if not all, of the properties listed are unlikely to convert into affordable housing for local residents. The homeowner association (HOA) dues associated with these units are exceptionally high, making short-term vacation rentals the only feasible way for owners to offset these costs. Long-term rental rates would need to be prohibitively high to cover such expenses.
Even if these properties were sold, the outcome would remain unchanged; the HOA fees would continue to make them unaffordable for long-term occupancy. A more effective solution is to streamline the permitting process and prioritize the development of new affordable housing projects that establish sustainable neighborhoods for permanent residents. The county should actively incentivize developers through tax credits and land discounts to encourage this type of construction.
It is worth noting that the proponents of this bill appear to be supported by the hotel industry, which has a vested interest in reducing competition from condominium rentals located along the same beachfront areas.
— Jacki Motto
If you want to add amendments we want DNA testing on all purchaser of condo going forward the STR money tax should go to our rents If the unit breaks on us we move to another unit at the cost of the landlord we no pay
Not enough parking spaces we can park on lawns they are no good too much water we don’t need much but make hoale pay
Aloha Hearing Committee,
As the UHERO studt, as well as the Mayor's presentation (the 1st day of hearings) shows us
Bill 9 looks like a TRAGIC PROMISE that only takes away our jobs & incomes ..so what good
is more housing without our jobs?....and gives us no affordable housing in return..a loose/loose situation.
Why are we wasting our time & energy for this TRAGEDY??
Let's get on with more affordable housing like the 2 projects coming soon to Kihei.
I strongly oppose Bill 9.
J. Lester, Kihei
Properties already on the Montoya List for Short term Rentals must remain intact to avoid mass negative impact on Maui’s economy. Not only owners would be devastated, a hardship would be impacted on the service industry, including Housekeepers, maintenence personel, transportation, grocery, restaurants, servers, Boat captains & employees, all activities & excursion owners & employees, landscapers, Rental car companies, property management and other service employees. The major decrease of TAT Taxes collected would negatively affect the entire economy of Maui. Short term vacation property owners are not the solution. Common sense tells us these units are not set up for families. Most are small sq footage, & have no storage, garages or areas for children to play. The real issue is Maui county did not keep up with affordable housing construction, but allowed Big Developers to bring in high end multi-million dollar properties without regard for building affordable support housing. I vote to keep STR’s already on the Montoya list alone.
Pam Jensen
Owner
Pacific Shores
Listen to Stan Franco
Aloha. I come from local family. I’ll lose my job at the condo and not be able to pay my own rent. This is what will happen:
1. Maui bans STRs.
2. We locals can’t afford to rent the condos.
3. Units sit vacant, property values drop.
4. Mainlanders buy up cheap condos as 2nd homes, but don’t rent them at all.
5. Thousands of costly lawsuits against Maui.
6. Tourism crashes, local business layoffs.
7. STR-related jobs lost, unemployment rises.
8. Tax revenue plummets (TAT, GET, property).
9. Major budget cuts to essential services.
10. No housing gained, tourism economy crashes.