The Hawaii vacation rental market faces major transformation with this controversial plan. Set to help address housing shortages, it will without doubt stir significant debate among residents, Hawaii visitors, and industry stakeholders.
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230 thoughts on “Updated: Hawaii Vacation Rental Legislation: Governor Says He’ll Sign Ban Approval”
What about Exchange homes where people from different places trade homes for vacations – sometimes with multiple people for longer vacations?
I think home exchange is exempt from most STR concerns, because there is no money trading hands.
The idea of the Average Joe making $$ is what always seems to enrage certain people (and governments).
France, Canada, SF…….STR banning, restrictions…..
Dump it all from residential zoning:
“In France the annual limit is 120 nights and in some cases council approval is required; in San Francisco there’s a 90-night limit and strict compliance rules, while in Canada – particularly some parts of Quebec, including Montreal – there are selective complete bans on short lets. I could go on, because almost all western countries now have restrictions. You get the picture, I’m sure. So while the UK’s short let clampdown pledged by Gove and his government looks of a piece with the rest of their restrictions on other forms of landlordism, on this occasion it’s part of a bigger global picture.”
Global:
“And then, of course, there’s New York. Officially the city has long had regulations effectively outlawing short lets, but this was rarely – some say never – enforced until the passage of Local Law 18, which strengthened existing legislation, beefed up enforcement and required mandatory host registration. NY short let registrations plummeted from approximately 13,500 listings in August last year to under 3,000 in December. Australia is curbing short lets too, most vociferously in Western Australia which is introducing limits similar to those proposed here by Gove. It wants new short lets to require planning consent, some exemptions for long-standing existing hosts, and a 90-night limit.”
This is happening globally:
“The Italian city of Florence – by density, the country’s most heavily touristic city – has banned new short-term listings by property owners in its historic centre, and is offering three years of tax breaks to landlords of existing short lets if they switch to ordinary long-term letting. In Iceland you can let out your home, or part thereof, for no more than 90 nights per year and there is an annual income cap on how much a host can receive. In Tokyo – where the annual limit is 180 nights – hosts must either live and remain in the property that’s let, or have an administrator employed to do the same.”
This bill seems to be a direct result of the exposed “Pay to Play” system that our Hawaiian Legislature is using. Big Hotel interests are more than willing to foot the bill to drive away their competition and scapegoat the small individual owners that are managing the STVRs.
Each county will have the power to ban all STRs or phase them out. Maui’s mayor is anti tourism. Hopefully, he goes after the illegal STRs first, then residential. There are condos in hotel zones that are STRs. Then there is the bill to re zone ag, residential and hotel zones. Why would they want to be able to re-zone? Look at the big picture. Look at how little the hotels pay in taxes, like 1/10 of the STRs and there are more hotel rooms. How can this be? Who will benefit? Corruption was just exposed. The reason we have STRs is not only the mainlanders wanting to get rich but locals trying to survive our high cost of living. This will hurt so many. While we are at it, someone audit where all the money given to Lahaina Strong went.
With this legislation, the state is shamelessly admitting that they are incapable of solving this problem, so let’s pass the buck to the counties. Perhaps it’s better that Maui can take matters into their own hands. What isn’t clear to me is what happens to those of us who currently own VR’s? Unless I’ve missed it, none of the articles I’ve read on this legislation ever mentions who this potential ban will impact. Is this a ban only on future VR entrants, or could the counties try to force current VR’s into strictly long term rentals, or both?
Removing existing, legal property rights is what is called a “taking”, which is illegal. This has been the message from courts all over the country, a recent example being what happened in Oahu. Oahu introduced legislation banning 30-89 day rentals, and the bill actually passed. Of course they were sued, and the courts promptly rescinded the law, citing 4 different Hawaii and US Constitutional rights.
Governments can pass any kind of laws willy-nilly, but it’s a different ballgame once it gets to the judicial level.
Obviously, the lesson here is that those hurt need to band together and sue to protect their existing property rights. There are several STR organizations you can join to make sure this happens.
Thank you Pat! Even those of that don’t own STRs are against rights being stomped on. Many of us are organizing. We won’t have a choice.
I’ve noticed that suddenly many people have found the words “passive’ and ‘income’ go together, do they understand what it means? Do they understand that ownership has its own disadvantages as well? Doubtful. It’s all Roses and Wine to them. Try investing your own money. Don’t have enough? Don’t blame those who do!
You don’t think that those of us with passive incomes made the investment that allowed us to reach that goal or do you just plan to work until you drop dead with no opportunity to enjoy the fruits of your labor with family or children?
Ownership has responsibilities that only hard working responsible people seem to understand. We all have the opportunity to get an education, work hard, save and invest in our future. We each have priorities and choose our lives. We are not victims unless you choose to be one. Grow up and take responsibility instead blaming others and telling yourselves that you are entitled to be a burden on others. Thank you Ernie. I could hug you!
A short-term rental ban is not constitutional. It is convenient for the state to pass the issue off to the counties. If a county tries to ban STRs they will be shooting themselves in the foot twice once because they will be killing their economy and twice when taxpayers have to pay the ligation costs and the resulting liability. It is not a smart move.
I guess, as a famous person once said “we’ll see”. I predict a major clusterf***.
I’m really slack jawed listening to some of the things Josh Green says. I thought doctors were supposed to be intelligent.
“People will be able to get housing again”. What gives Mr. Green the idea that eliminating short-term rentals will magically create long-term housing? Thousands of owners on various sites have confirmed that eliminating short-term rentals will only cause them to keep their units for themselves, and that they will absolutely not rent long-term. Renting long-term, especially in a state with constant eviction moratoriums, is something most owners won’t touch with a 10-foot pole.
I can’t wait to see the uproar when eliminating short-term rentals makes zero difference in solving Hawaii’s housing needs.
Exactly! I have seen and been a victim of the eviction moratoriums. My dad had the problem, I have clients that just had the problem. The issue then is that they have lost thousand of dollars to squatters. I will never rent long term again
I grew up respecting those that held public office such as our President etc.. I never thought I would see so much ignorance, greed and corruption. I am embarrassed of our officials and ashamed at the behavior and sense of entitlement that I am seeing from our people. I pray that there is a Karma. I thank those that are speaking up. This bill will pass but it won’t last. Let’s hope they don’t screw up our economy to badly or for too long before intervention comes.
This is an unconstitutional taking of private property rights. It’s a complete win for the hotel/motel lobby that couldn’t care less about housing. Many communities have studied this and found that STVR’s do not affect the housing market. Yes, they need to be licensed and regulated but not banned. The solution is building more housing. But it seems to me that most any new development is protested by the people it would eventually help. Hawaii government is corrupt. Where is the tax money going? Millions are being collected but no action, only « ideas » and « plans ».
Yes, billions in tax dollars… where is it going??
Also, Green was just in Japan twice promoting tourism to Hawaii? What about the US tourists?
Also, there are not near enough hotel rooms to keep the tourists.
Tourism will drop by at least 40 % . Jobs will be lost and more for real homeless… not just the many users on the street. Let’s talk about that for a minute.
Thousands of drug addicted people flood Hawaii streets on most of the islands. Why not fix that??
How do we stop them from being dropped off here? It is an issue.
Dee, attempting to find a solution to the Homeless, oops….Houseless, was tasked to the Lt. Governor of the previous Administration, that “Study” didn’t find any Solutions or even any Recommendations despite spending, throwing away, over $2 Billion Dollars! I believe that attempting to find Recommendations and Solutions to the Drug Problem would waste $5 Billion Dollars, possibly less, without any New Ideas.
The exchange rate is 158 yen to one USD. Most Japanese people can’t afford to come to Hawaii.
But it sure looked like he was trying to encourage visitors from Japan – maybe that was the point?
But Green likes Japan, so he essentially got two vacations at our expense.
Green is fluent in virtue signalling – speaking loudly about issues beyond his control, while ignoring problems he could easily fix.
The Yen just lost more ground against the Dollar. The lowest since 1990. The Japanese aren’t coming back for quite some time.
We know where the tax money is going, not where it should. Those greedy hands will miss it.
One question: i have been in my home for over 20 years, we are Polynesians , . Over the years, we have invested money as we had it, into a rat hole making it a home . And yes, over the years, it has gained value. So , now this $%^#@ governor will shut me down so that locals can afford a home….??????Will they be able to afford it?
I, will be a casualty of this @#$%^ governor and the results are what?
He will look good to the hotels and few locals…we should kiss the grounds we walk on for still having tourists .when you look close, Hawaii is a filthy, corrupted state. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you governor.
All “investments” are not guaranteed a return, yours included.
It’s appalling just how many people don’t understand that point, the one that describes that brow beating is definitely not an Olympic Sport. When will people stop, listen and realize it?
Thank you Nina! You are so right! Keep speaking up. We need to right now. I post on social media with public filter and ask others to keep reposting. We want the world to know what they are doing. God bless you and yours!
Governor Green, being a Doctor, knows how to keep his hands clean, pushing the ‘dirty work’ onto others. Green represents a distinct line of Governors that have certainly not made Hawaii a better place. P.R. people stretched the Truth beyond any semblance of the facts and truth, very few STR Unit’s have taken housing away from the needy public, but it sounds great to Green and the Hotel Owners. If Green is successful it in no way means that He won’t be held somewhat culpable in future court proceedings. I see litigation that costs Millions for Hawaiians. Lies, Retirement Funds, and Governor Green.
I’m all for local control. However are the state and the local governments prepared to pay the costs of litigation and to reimburse the property owners for “takings” when claiming the lost property values ?
This isn’t much different than mass confiscation or eminent domain actions.
State and local governments have to accept some of the responsibility for creating shortages in the first place. Typically, they only exacerbate when attempting to fix those problems.
KTLA in California. “The Santa Ana City Council has voted to ban short-term residential rentals within city limits. A recent spike in short-term rentals proliferated by sites like Airbnb and Vrbo has led to ‘a range of issues’ in Santa Ana, city officials said. ‘These rentals, typically lasting less than 30 days, have been linked to a range of issues including trash and litter, excessive noise, parking problems and neighborhood degradation,’ the city’s release stated.”
Irrelevant information in our case. I have seen and heard of issues with Airbnbs in residential areas but most are in the resort areas in what we call condotels.
Most of the Complaints seem quite petty, like they are padding the very few problems to bolster their own petty nonsense. Just another day in a Liberal Progressive County and State.
You never hear of a hotel guest creating a problem. If someone staying at an Airbnb is involved in anything as minor as a ‘fender bender’ it is always mentioned.
My Brother in law was head of security at a major hotel chain, for almost 20 years and he could spend a couple of days telling you about the bizarre activities he was involved with.
People are people whether they stay in a hotel or and STR.
Quick read of S. 2919. Am I reading this correctly, effective (if passed) in 2040?
I really do not see how this will help with housing, it sounds good but the cost of houses today in Hawaii and all across the country is unaffordable for the average citizen.
Google “Palm Springs capped short-term rentals. Now some home prices are in free-fall”
STRs on our islands have already been capped years ago, with no adverse effects on prices since.
Elsewhere in the US where STRs have been banned, there has indeed often been a slump in the prices of the more expensive properties that used to be STRs, but it has always been temporary. Investors have come in and swooped those up at bargain prices, causing the overall prices to recover and then some. Palm Springs is already recovering, as you can see by the data here:
rockethomes.com/real-estate-trends/ca/palm-springs
Bill, the properties involved in the places you quote here are not in the price range to make them “affordable” for the average resident. Please don’t get your hopes up about that.
Recovering? Downwards….
“In March 2024, Palm Springs home prices were down 13.9% compared to last year, selling for a median price of $650K. ”
redfin.com/city/14315/CA/Palm-Springs/housing-market
Interesting, as my link shows Palm Springs up 2.5% year-over-year for March. I guess we all find the data to support our positions.
Your example of the 1.4M house currently at $635K is purely anecdotal, and thereby pounced upon and sensationalized by the media.
Anyway, the proof will be in the pudding, as they say. Please let me know when you’ve purchased your 1.4M house for $635K – I’d like to get in on a few of those deals. 🙂
What did you say about recovering prices in Palm Springs?
Newsweek:
“A home in Palm Springs, which was sold in March for $1,400,000 and put back on the market some two months later for roughly the same amount, is now going for only $635,000—a price cut of $765,000.”
Patch
“According to the LA Times, sales are down and homes are “languishing on the market for months.” As of Friday, the oldest Racquet Club East listing has been on the market for 115 days.”
This article is on Hawaii. Many people don’t even know where Palm Springs is.
Mexico here we come.
I’m concerned about if the short-term rental legislation will affect us who own timeshare?
You will pay all the taxes. Dig deep
Who will pay the taxes? Tourists support our economy!!!
Those of us that live here most likely.
Alan W, I’m not 100% certain and after saying that it is doubtful that you should have any concerns. The Hotel and Timeshare Industry are Exempt from what I have heard. The Exemption Area seems like it was tailor made to make sure. Sort of like doing away with the Short Term Rentals won’t Benefit the Hotel and Timeshare Industry at all, by Eliminating the Competition. Wow, Do I hear DOJ Anti Trust Lawsuits 😳 Nah.
All indications are no. Timeshare companies are too organized and powerful and often owned by hotels.
Hotels and timeshares will be the only way to visit us if they have there way. The costs of those will be going up. In fact the timeshares here are selling like hot cakes right now, mostly existing owners wanting to ensure that they can return to their beloved Maui or other islands. Hopefully you own one here. They are already the hardest to trade into. Just wait and see how hard it will be unless you own in Hawaii.
It would seem vacation rentals are about to get more expensive.
Another attempt to take away your rights; in this case property rights.
Are you you now going to force the owners of these properties to rent them under your terms?
I’m sick of these politicians blaming everything from high prices to homelessness on homeowners.
Stop complaining and deal with the problem of expediting the building new dwellings . The solution is not what’s there but what not.
Not so simple. The aina and kai that sustain us, including attracting tourism, is endangered, right now.
Building more housing, willy nilly, without taking this into account, will cause irreversible harms to everyone and everything.
It’s about time, the people of Hawaii need affordable housing. While we need tourists, not at the expense of us locals.
Melissa, as long as they can find people to believe what they say, they are Happy and Secure in the Knowledge that They have Supporters that are enraged at someone else. I would ask you this question: do you believe that one of many Mansions that will no longer be a Part Time STR you will be able to purchase or pay rent to live in? 🤔 Is the local or County able to rent/lease it as a single family for $875 a month with the utilities included? I think Not! Maybe make it a 2 family with shared kitchen and other common areas. 🤔 I tend to Doubt that, too.
100% Correct Ernie
Let’s be real.
I don’t know where you live Ernie S., but I have a moderate home in south King County (home to Seattle). We’d all love to have a nice home for under $1,000 a month – or $1,500 a month – or even under $2,500 a month.
Annual property taxes run $5,800 per year, insurance is slightly over $1,200 a year, power (on an annual payment plan) runs $272 a month, garbage and recycling is $55 per month, water and sewer run $45 a month. Without any maintenance cost, that’s $915 for an owner occupied home.
Then… add your mortgage payment on top of that.
AJ, thankfully my wife and I don’t have those kinds of expenses. We live in Rural Pennsylvania, at worst our monthly electric bill is $165 and that includes running a pool for 6 months and electric hot water, taxes on 7 acres and a 4 br. 2 bath, ranch with a total of 15 rooms and a 2 car attached garage is under $1300 per year, water is a well, sewer is septic. The mortgage is under $700.00 per month, the homeowners insurance is under $1250 per year. Does that help you? 🤔
How can you possibly think that any ban on short term rentals is going to lead to affordable housing. Not only is that a complete myth but it’s a total joke. I live on the islands and I own my own home, things are not magically going to get more affordable. And they are never going to build affordable housing unless you think $500,000 to start as affordable
Google “Palm Springs capped short-term rentals. Now some home prices are in free-fall”
Once the speculators start to lose money they sell like rats, and if there are not other buyers the only ones left are residents, at their local incomes…
Bill, you’re a one trick pony, repeating the same cherry picked claims about a desert golf resort.
Now try Lake Tahoe, San Diego, Santa Barbara, since you’re an expert on California real estate.
We all understand that you have an agenda, it just doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.
“Sell like rats?” How does a rat sell? Just curious, haven’t heard that expression before.
Is there a reason for the fire sale. Perhaps the owner needs cash fast.
First day on Maui went to Whole Foods to get items.
Cashier was so rude. I got the feeling of discrimination of being a tourist. Next day went to Target everyone working the floor didnt even acknowdge me. I go to Maui somewhat often. Very first time I have been treated like this. And I am not a, “Tourist.”
Regardless, the distaste of them is quite prevalent.
There still are some real nice people though.
Do not ban local residents who have 1-2 rentals. Completely ban “off island” investors. Many of our kids are being forced off island because of high prices.
That would be illegal and discriminatory. You can’t ban it for a segment of the population…Fair Housing Violation and any court with strike it down.
All of this talk about banning existing property rights is illegal and discriminatory. That doesn’t stop the government from passing laws anyway, and then waiting for the fallout.
I actually heard Josh Green admit that he knows they will get sued over this and he said he doesn’t care, and to basically “bring it on”.
We taxpayers are funding the gigantic budget earmarked to defend these lawsuits; lawsuits that they will surely lose. I don’t think many supporters of this bill realize this.
Governor Green would have to reach across the ocean and force building suppliers to reduce their prices before we could have affordable housing. There are real costs to building a home and contractors won’t build for free. Banks won’T waive the interest on mortgages. Values will drop but not enough to become affordable to the average income person. It will affect condos because that is where most STRs are but it won’t affect single family homes which is what the local families want and need.
Melissa,
Pretty much the people of America need affordable housing, mortages and rent amounts.
It is going to get worse no doubt.
Lack of housing pretty much every where do to millions and millions of increased illegal population!
I was just looking at the price of the Iao Parkside condos. They look very nice.
Ones for sale are $375000 and up for 2 and 3 bedroom.
That matches the price in the state I live in.
Good job governor. Glad to see zoning laws finally being addressed and neighborhoods occupied by neighbors again
Yes, so many of our kids are forced to move to the Mainland because housing is unaffordable. If it’s a local resident that owns 1-2 properties, let them do STRs, but no STR for investors.
the short term rentals aren’t the issue. The reality is that anywhere that is desirable to live is expensive. The statistics are everywhere. Top places to live – super expensive. Even if what are considered affordable states to live, the income needed is still huge. That is the reality of today.
Vacation rentals aren’t the problem. The real issue is the lack of owner protection in long term rentals from lowlifes that stop paying rent, won’t move out, and destroy/steal/sell owners property, and then aren’t held accountable by any authority. The truth is that the courts can reach an eviction verdict, but then there is no further action by the authorities who I’ve seen turn their heads to the issue once they see the word civil on the the eviction paperwork. They want nothing to do with it, and then the owners of these “occupied” spaces are left without income, and without support. With this kind of messed up situation it is no wonder owners have continually turned to short term rentals!
We rented an ohana a couple times from a nice couple near Kona. They started doing STR because a long term renter wrecked the place, and a judge awarded the security deposit back to the renter despite showing the damage and the expense.
Hawaii at its best, most corrupted state in 12 consecutive years
Nina: Unfortunately, Hawaii has been corrupt for decades.
Aloha!
That’s exactly why I won’t rent long-term. I’ve had terrible long-term tenants in the past. Won’t ever do it again. STR is the only way to go.
Same old tired mantra from Hawaii’s politicians. Blame, blame, blame! The county of maui estimates it will be at least 18 to 24 months before any rebuilding begins. But put it all on the (mostly middle class) owners with STR’s and they don’t have to address the real problems. Shame on them for being too cowardly to genuinely lower the cost of living (and housing) for Hawaiians. Regulate and tax, and all of the problems will just become more acute!
Yeah if local housing is the issue then why don’t they make it easier/ less expensive for locals to build their homes. Instead of threatening to destroy income from those who have worked hard to invest in their rentals. And what about all the regular local employment that these rentals support? To me it sounds like someone with a lot of money is buying the vote of these politicians, and who has that kind of money, and incentive? Could it be the huge overpriced hotel industries? 🤔
I will be coming to your beautiful Islands this June.
We have booked accomodations in Waikiki. My preference is to spend my tourist dollars with individuals . I am not a fan of the “ABC” stores AKA always bring cash”.
my family wishes to be as respectful as we can be.
Suggestions? preferences?
Thank you.
Linda
(no, unless we learn otherwise, we will not disembark
at Maui.
Why would you not disembark on Maui? The island is open, tourists are welcome and well received, and local businesses need customers. It is uninformed to stay off the island – please don’t listen to the uneducated haters.
Right, our West Maui ocean front “condo-tel” always rented… is vacant from now through October. Everyone is afraid to come to Maui. Thanks Naysayers. Zero rents for us, zero dollars for our cleaners and zero taxes for the county and state. Oh well.
Thanks for the article, BOH.
As I posted previously if passed will values on STR’s fall enough that individuals living on on Maui, cause this is what this is about, can afford the mortgage or rental fee on these properties without government assistance? Answer is no…
Also as a business owner why in the world would anybody invest in the Hawaiian islands when Hawaii’s state government determines that your profitable business is unfair to locals, so pass a law to either wipeout your investment or hand it over to locals? Not me…
I fully agree. Sometimes I wonder why I’ve invested 20 years of my life trying to build a home here, and improve my land. I had plans to build a vacation rental on my adjacent lot to help with my retirement when the time came, and now I’m watching as my retirement plan is being swept away before I ever get a chance to see it happen. Backwards a** place seems to encourage lowlifes and trash, and then wonders why there’s so many issues!? There’s gotta be another way other than hurting the hard working folks more🤷♀️
All “investments” are not guaranteed a return, yours included.
Exempt local residents who have 1-2 properties. Ban non resident investors from STRs.
unconstitutional
Thank you Basil! I totally agree. Those of us hard working, educated, responsible people will suffer for those that won’t qualify even if there was low income housing. This doesn’t encourage us to be good citizens.
We think it so wrong. If you want to go after those who have multiple units maybe restrict but those that have only one or two let them be. Some of us are just trying to help pay for our home here.
Really the only way would be through a tax mechanism. You can’t tell someone who is otherwise qualified that they can’t buy a property and then tell someone else that they can.
If you remove rentals, fewer people can come. Fewer people means fewer customers for restaurants, art, tours, guides, fishing excursions, stores, cleaners, and airlines. Might be the death blow Hawaiian airlines doesn’t need. Even if only ‘rich, wealthy, free spending tourist come, they can only eat and watch so much, and I am betting they can’t do more than they already do. I predict many unemployed, which will not make buying a home easier even if the previous rentals go back to the local housing pool.
Mahalo for keeping us posted.
I see where this bill would slide the decision to ban stvr’s to the county level. I guess areas around popular beaches where tourists vacation would be the target. Outback or non desired locations probably not. IMO making this a county decision and not the state makes any legal action brought to a specific county or city. Not the state. My question is if stay at str’s in non popular or less populated locations then how much extra traffic on the road to the popular beaches or attractions increase. Sounds like traffic Jam City. Not fun for tourists unless you pay the insane Hotel resort prices at which the wealthy could only afford.
We will not be returning to Hawaii to stay in some hotel. After the corruption scandal just being brought to the world’s attention and Green salivating to sign it so quickly. It’s begs the question is Green corrupt? I thought we lived in a free market society, but it’s business as usual in Hawaii.
You can kiss Hawaiian Airlines goodbye as they certainly won’t survive this kind of hit, even with the potential merger with Alaskan.
I owen a STR in south Kihei. It was bùilt in 1971 and I believe it has always been a STR. Zoned hotel, and is valued by the state for tax purposes at 750,000. Just in property tax and occupancy tax it generates over 20,000 dollars, that does not including all the revenue it generates from guests eating out, going on excursions, car rental, shopping, my local cleaner, my repair person and visiting the national park. How are they going to replace that revenue and jobs?
I won’t sell, I would continue to let my family use it and just list it as my permanent residence and save on taxes.
Somebody in the government needs to do the math. As the owner
of an STR I paid over $15,000 in GE & TA taxes last year and spent another $17,000 in housekeeping, maintenance , supplies and repairs.
If you multiply that by the number STR units on the island (over 1,000)
you get a major hit to the local economy.
This doesn’t even consider the elevated R.E. taxes we pay.
We will not convert to long term rental.
Ronald Reagan once said, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the Government, and I’m here to help. “
Reagan was a putz
Which branch of the government do you work for, if you work?
Will be interesting to see which county bans STVR’s first. My guess is Maui. That will be the proverbial canary in the coal mine. I’ll be surprised if the mayor doesn’t go all-in under local pressure. The misguided think it will make properties “more affordable” because there will be a glut of former STVR homes on the market. Instead, the county will be paying lawyers to defend the many lawsuits from homeowners – burning up taxpayer money of course. It’ll be years of litigation.
Last time Oahu tried, over 1,000 owners & managers unified and fought back – and defeated the city.
Next time (I predict) Honolulu & Maui will pick off str units one by one – to avoid a unified opposition. If they do it this way, they will win, because one single property owner can’t afford to fight the city in court…
PS: this won’t solve homelessness / affordble housing. The tourism decline / recession has already begun, and when this results in some str unit owners switching to long term rentals, the government will claim their policies are working.
I’ve been going to Hawaii almost annually since 1974. Back in the day when Lahaina was a funky little town, Hana was an unknown, Kalalau Trail wasn’t regulated, park reservations were unheard of and the natives had true aloha spirit welcoming this wide eyed haole! Even with the crowds and increased popularity of Hawaii, it remained my happy place.
Today, I’m not sure. I’m not feeling that warm and fuzzy aloha spirit. In recent years our favorite islands have been the Big Island and Kauai. We’ve chosen to return to Maui next month to support the economy. This may be our farewell tour not only to Maui but to the Hawaiian Islands. Not feeling the love anymore! So sad.
We own a condo on Maui, and would rather live in it, or leave it empty the rest of the time, rather than to bow down to government oppression. We don’t believe many local families can afford a mortgage and maintenance fees of $1500-$2500 per month. We also don’t believe the counties realize how much in taxes they would lose in the process. We pay over $13,000 per year in property taxes. Throw in the TAT and GET, that would be a tremendous loss of income to the county and state. This is an ill informed and ill thought out piece of legislation.
There’s more logisitcs to this and even with Green’s approval. This has been brewing so not a surprise. The gov is for the people of the island. Fantastic. Unfortunately, many people of the island, are not prepared to handle what is given to them.FEMA And Govt will only go so far. They have stated they will be self sufficient. They have not done much to prove that in the past 90+ days; Mourning, begging tourists to overtip.Many are unable to move past the tragic events. I have not had a golden life, so will speak my mind. This STR law will happen, Hawaii will continue on 5-10 years, then as Maui goes to hell in a hand basket. I will be gone, but Maui will return.Japanese will tour again. Full circle. It will look like Oahu someday.
Senate and House met April 24th and agreed on SB2919 SD2 HD2 and thus goes to govenor for signature.
Oops, I was wrong as not going to governor yet.. on April 24 it was House and Senate sub-committees that voted. The bill has to be voted on by full house and Senate.
I love coming to Hawaii. That being said if STR’s are no longer available I won’t be able to visit the islands any more because of the costs hotels is exorbitant. I won’t be the only one saying this. And even if STR’s are limited they will become unaffordable (because of their lower numbers) to the normal Joe. This will hurt Hawaii’s economy. It seems like Hawaii should be able to figure out how to build affordable housing and make sure they don’t become STR’s. Just saying.
My wife and I own a timeshare in Hawaii. Are they included in the vacation rental ban legislation? Just returned from 2 weeks on Oahu and most everyone was very friendly. Thanks.
Here we go again. State and county governments never pointing the finger at themselves. Always someone or something else to blame. Instead of making affordable housing a priority, the officials just saw $ signs and continued to allow rampant hotel and condo growth, so as to line the coffers. Of course the money was never directed towards the people of Hawaii in a way to make their lives easier. I lived there in the early to mid 80’s and even then my Hawaiian friends had to work 2 jobs just to survive.