Today, Hawaii stands at a pivotal moment in handling of vacation rental issues amid an escalating housing crisis. The legislature will soon vote on Senate Bill 2919, before its term ends. That is the controversial measure that gives counties, rather than the state, the authority to regulate or even ban vacation rentals entirely. This move comes in response to widespread concern that vacation rentals are exacerbating Hawaii’s housing shortage and displacing local residents.
Update: Yesterday, the bill was passed by unanimous vote of the joint House-Senate conference committee. It is heading for the final vote by the Hawaii House and Senate next week, where it is expected to pass prior to being signed by Governor Green.
The debate has been heated and is getting more so. Hawaii is grappling with a surge in non-owner-occupied short-term vacation rentals, which many blame for driving up housing costs and contributing to displacement and homelessness. Community groups, including Lahaina Strong—comprised partly of Lahaina fire survivors—have been outspoken in demanding action to convert vacation rentals into local housing to address affordability issues.
Governor Josh Green has pledged to sign SB 2919 into law if it passes.
He asserted his commitment yesterday in a meeting with Lahaina Strong members in Honolulu. “When this bill passes, I will sign it,” Green stated, “People will be able to get housing again.” This statement comes as the bill remains in the legislature, with an affirming vote expected imminently.
The proposed legislation would empower each of Hawaii’s counties to decide the fate of short-term rentals within their islands, including the potential for outright bans. Some see this decentralization of vacation rental decision-making as essential in addressing each island’s local housing needs directly. It has sparked outrage from vacation rental owners who feel scapegoated by a government they view as failing to manage the long-term housing crisis effectively.
Critics of a vacation rental ban argue that banning vacation rentals will harm Hawaii’s tourism industry, which has relied on such often favored accommodations for decades. Furthermore, the constitutionality of such sweeping bans has yet to be fully addressed, setting the stage for fierce legal battles.
Passing the buck from governor and legislature to county councils and mayors.
Despite the controversy, the support for SB 2919 highlights a shift in Hawaii’s approach to managing housing and tourism. The state’s decision to potentially pass regulatory powers back down to the counties reflects in part a desire to implement local solutions to complex issues. At the same time, it lets legislators and the governor shift the blame for whatever might go wrong with this plan.
This comes as interesting timing in relation to this: “Alleged Hawaii Travel Industry Corruption Exposed By NYT.”
As this bill progresses toward approval, signing and enactment, it is clear that whatever happens will have long-lasting implications for residents, Hawaii visitors, and the broader economic landscape of Hawaii.
The story continues to unfold and will likely do so for some time. As similar vacation rental challenges persist locally and globally, we invite your thoughts and perspectives on this ongoing debate.
For his patients’ sake, I hope Green is a better doctor than the pathetic governor he has been.
What you won’t read in the MSM is that 26 states are already in recession, including California. People are broke from all of this inflation created by the Fed and huge government deficit spending.
From Beat of Hawaii today on the American Airlines article “The list of Hawaii airline flight cuts has been coming since last fall as Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, Southwest, and United all positioned themselves against waning demand for Hawaii travel, lack of new aircraft, and the need for airlines to make flying profitable. More changes are ahead, that’s clear.”
A recession will easily clear out most of the housing speculators.