Support for Maui County Bill 9 and the Hawaii Land Use Committee investigation : Prioritizing Residents and Resources
Maui County's Bill 9, which proposes phasing out Transient Vacation Rentals (TVRs) in apartment-zoned districts, is a crucial step toward addressing the island's
severe housing crisis
long-term strain on its limited natural resources.
This measure correctly prioritizes the needs of local residents over the profits of transient accommodation operators, offering a necessary realignment of the county's housing priorities.
Housing Affordability and the Path to Homeownership
Locals won't be able to afford to buy a condo:
The argument that those paying high rents can not afford to buy a condo is flawed if a renter is currently paying $3,000+ a month for a rental unit that money would be better spent building equity.
The scarcity created by TVRs drives rental prices up:
There is a scarcity of rental units making rentals in Maui extremely expensive. Returning some of the inventory of long-term rentals, even at current high prices, gives residents a stable, non-transient option.
Single Parking Spaces or Condo fees restrict local ownership.
The argument that a small family or single person would not live in or rent a condo with a single parking space is ridiculous. Many families thrive with just a single parking space especially in dense walkable and on bus route areas such as those that exist in Kihei and Lahaina. Additionally the idea that a local person would not be able to afford a condo and the fees is insulting - according to the US Census Bureau the median household income in Maui County is above $95000 I would argue local residents CAN afford condo ownership.
Environmental Limits Over "Build, Build, Build"
Build Build Build
The impulse to simply "build, build, build" to solve the housing crisis is fundamentally flawed given Maui's fragile environment and limited water resources. Also building wealthy communities such as Wailea 670 do not solve our housing crisis and in fact tap our limited resources. WE should really question the motives of any Council Member who supports overdevelopment.
Water and Infrastructure:
The reality of water restrictions across parts of the county—including Stage 2 water shortage in Upcountry and West Maui as of the current time—underscores this constraint. Massive new development places an unsustainable burden on existing infrastructure, aquifers, and watersheds. Reclaiming existing apartment units from transient use is the most environmentally responsible way to increase long-term housing supply, as it requires zero new infrastructure development for water, sewage, and roads. There has been no plans to expand our sewer infrastructure or roadways - despite our ecosystem being impacted by partially treated sewage in injection wells -
Reassessing the Transient Visitor Economy
But they keep our economy running:
Do they really? I am a business owner and I see very little business from the tourists who stay in condos - the majority of my business is from resort and hotel visitors. The perception that tourists in TVRs contribute significantly more to the local economy than other visitors is questionable. Yes they pay the Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) BUT they often cook more meals at home and opt out of local tours and activities when compared to hotel guests. They are essentially guests in a residential community, not hotel patrons. The economic benefits they do bring are often realized by out-of-state owners and corporate management companies, minimizing the trickle-down effect to local businesses and residents. Prioritizing long-term residents ensures a more stable, equitable economic base rooted in local jobs and community support.
Regulatory Clarity and Discouraging Exploitation
Bill 9 aims to create clarity by phasing out TVRs in apartment districts. The proposal suggests that owners will still be able to apply for a Transient Vacation Rental (TVR) permit if their property is in an appropriate zoning district, such as resort or hotel zones, or by pursuing a re-zoning. This measure doesn't eliminate the industry; it simply enforces the original intent of apartment zoning—housing residents—and centralizes TVR operations where they are zoned to be.
Most importantly, this bill will discourage corporate and exploitative ownership. When a property is taken out of the long-term rental pool for short-term gains, it contributes to the displacement of the local workforce. By creating a path for long-term residential use, Bill 9 makes apartment-zoned properties a less attractive target for large-scale, absentee corporate investors seeking exploitive and speculative, high-yield tourism income.
The Need for Progressive Taxation
Maui County's property tax system, while recently adjusted, is one of the lowest in the country, this incentivizes exploitative investment. While the county is using a tiered system, the tax rates on non-owner-occupied and TVR properties still need to be higher in order to deter speculative investment.
For instance, the Tier 3 Non-Owner Occupied tax rate (for property over $3,000,000) is $17.00 per $1,000 of net taxable assessed valuation (for the 2025/2026 tax year). While this rate is higher than many other classifications, more aggressive taxation is required. If an individual or corporation can afford a multi-million dollar second property, they must contribute proportionally more to the local infrastructure and services they utilize. A higher tax on second and corporate-owned properties would generate the essential revenue needed for affordable housing projects, infrastructure improvements, and water conservation efforts, thereby forcing exploitative investment to pay its true cost to the community.
Support for Maui County Bill 9 and the Hawaii Land Use Committee investigation : Prioritizing Residents and Resources
Maui County's Bill 9, which proposes phasing out Transient Vacation Rentals (TVRs) in apartment-zoned districts, is a crucial step toward addressing the island's
severe housing crisis
long-term strain on its limited natural resources.
This measure correctly prioritizes the needs of local residents over the profits of transient accommodation operators, offering a necessary realignment of the county's housing priorities.
Housing Affordability and the Path to Homeownership
Locals won't be able to afford to buy a condo:
The argument that those paying high rents can not afford to buy a condo is flawed if a renter is currently paying $3,000+ a month for a rental unit that money would be better spent building equity.
The scarcity created by TVRs drives rental prices up:
There is a scarcity of rental units making rentals in Maui extremely expensive. Returning some of the inventory of long-term rentals, even at current high prices, gives residents a stable, non-transient option.
Single Parking Spaces or Condo fees restrict local ownership.
The argument that a small family or single person would not live in or rent a condo with a single parking space is ridiculous. Many families thrive with just a single parking space especially in dense walkable and on bus route areas such as those that exist in Kihei and Lahaina. Additionally the idea that a local person would not be able to afford a condo and the fees is insulting - according to the US Census Bureau the median household income in Maui County is above $95000 I would argue local residents CAN afford condo ownership.
Environmental Limits Over "Build, Build, Build"
Build Build Build
The impulse to simply "build, build, build" to solve the housing crisis is fundamentally flawed given Maui's fragile environment and limited water resources. Also building wealthy communities such as Wailea 670 do not solve our housing crisis and in fact tap our limited resources. WE should really question the motives of any Council Member who supports overdevelopment.
Water and Infrastructure:
The reality of water restrictions across parts of the county—including Stage 2 water shortage in Upcountry and West Maui as of the current time—underscores this constraint. Massive new development places an unsustainable burden on existing infrastructure, aquifers, and watersheds. Reclaiming existing apartment units from transient use is the most environmentally responsible way to increase long-term housing supply, as it requires zero new infrastructure development for water, sewage, and roads. There has been no plans to expand our sewer infrastructure or roadways - despite our ecosystem being impacted by partially treated sewage in injection wells -
Reassessing the Transient Visitor Economy
But they keep our economy running:
Do they really? I am a business owner and I see very little business from the tourists who stay in condos - the majority of my business is from resort and hotel visitors. The perception that tourists in TVRs contribute significantly more to the local economy than other visitors is questionable. Yes they pay the Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) BUT they often cook more meals at home and opt out of local tours and activities when compared to hotel guests. They are essentially guests in a residential community, not hotel patrons. The economic benefits they do bring are often realized by out-of-state owners and corporate management companies, minimizing the trickle-down effect to local businesses and residents. Prioritizing long-term residents ensures a more stable, equitable economic base rooted in local jobs and community support.
Regulatory Clarity and Discouraging Exploitation
Bill 9 aims to create clarity by phasing out TVRs in apartment districts. The proposal suggests that owners will still be able to apply for a Transient Vacation Rental (TVR) permit if their property is in an appropriate zoning district, such as resort or hotel zones, or by pursuing a re-zoning. This measure doesn't eliminate the industry; it simply enforces the original intent of apartment zoning—housing residents—and centralizes TVR operations where they are zoned to be.
Most importantly, this bill will discourage corporate and exploitative ownership. When a property is taken out of the long-term rental pool for short-term gains, it contributes to the displacement of the local workforce. By creating a path for long-term residential use, Bill 9 makes apartment-zoned properties a less attractive target for large-scale, absentee corporate investors seeking exploitive and speculative, high-yield tourism income.
The Need for Progressive Taxation
Maui County's property tax system, while recently adjusted, is one of the lowest in the country, this incentivizes exploitative investment. While the county is using a tiered system, the tax rates on non-owner-occupied and TVR properties still need to be higher in order to deter speculative investment.
For instance, the Tier 3 Non-Owner Occupied tax rate (for property over $3,000,000) is $17.00 per $1,000 of net taxable assessed valuation (for the 2025/2026 tax year). While this rate is higher than many other classifications, more aggressive taxation is required. If an individual or corporation can afford a multi-million dollar second property, they must contribute proportionally more to the local infrastructure and services they utilize. A higher tax on second and corporate-owned properties would generate the essential revenue needed for affordable housing projects, infrastructure improvements, and water conservation efforts, thereby forcing exploitative investment to pay its true cost to the community.
I'm opposed to Bill 9.