Mayor Bissen’s Japan trip stands in stark contrast to harsh measures planned for the Maui vacation rental market. It paints a picture of an administration that appears out of touch with the needs of residents and visitors. And the proposed 50% reduction in Maui vacation rentals over the next 18 months is a drastic and potentially disruptive change in the Maui tourism landscape.
Bissen tries to mask his incompetence with his disastrous pandering plan to wipe out most STRs, which may make some “Hawaii for Hawaiians” people feel good, but which will result in lost tax and Maui resident income, not to mention doing nothing to provide affordable housing. Bissen joins Green in following the shiny star to Japan, where Green was twice rebuffed by Japanese concerned about their own economy. The major source of tourism comes from the mainland, along with tip income that Japanese are not accustomed to paying.
I guess I can’t blame Bissen for trying to get out of town. Better than he get out of office.
It should be pointed out that Maui’s tumultuous times are of its own making. I think there is a growing perception of Mauin governance as incompetent; at least there is from me. And if a region gets a reputation as “sketchy”, in some sense, it will impact vacation choices.
Brings to mind the adage of: “We get the government we deserve”…
Best Regards
They even use the “D” word to defend newsom in cali at the same time complaining what he’s doing to cali. These are Hawaiians I talk to in oahu.
I was informed by a native Hawaiian that they live a simple life. It’s about the land, culture, and the beauty (preservation of the islands). They hate technology and don’t need cellphones,wifi,laptops, and don’t want new construction whatsoever. That said how do you rebuild? If most of the solutions are out of their beliefs then where is the solution? What is normal to a mainland tourist in area’s of disaster don’t match with the beliefs of true Hawaiians. My experience IMO with Hawaii is that as a tourist you spend a lot and get next to nothing for your money. Maybe government is following culture by no new construction. Maybe it has to do with new government assistance applicant claims with new homes built.
The immense amount of dumped household goods, junked boats, derelict vehicles, and general 1st World trash combined with the paucity of $1200 phones, lifted “Yotas”, thumping stereos, air conditioners, $150 slippas, vandalized beach facilities, and lines at fast food restaurants in the general island populace belies that “Simple” life…
Best Regards.
Hey… I was going to say that. But I like the way you said it much better.
“The Early Bird… etc” 😀
Yeah good point. I don’t understand all but his response to a simple life was Native Hawaiians live a simple life. We don’t need cellphones etc.etc.etc. We are raised and taught to live off the land. Other than that we don’t need or care about technology tourists or new hotels. Tourists only come and trash our land wreck the place we call home. We are taught at a young age how to fish, hunt and provide for our families. Other than that we Don’t Care. He just wished that tourists would stop coming and let the real Hawaiians live in peace. IMO I saw the same thing you experienced Jay well put.
How many tourists bring their crap cars & appliances to Maui to dump along the road? There is an element of local people who don’t clean up the parks after using them. An element of tourists, as well. Good and bad on both sides. After 30 plus years of visiting, we’ve met many residents who work more than one job to make ends meet. We’ve also met residents who try to sell us pot on Front Street and pan handle for money. As on the mainland, mental illness contributes to these behaviors. I get weary of hearing that tourists are the reason for the woes of Maui
Then why is there new commercial building going on right now. I was shocked to see contractors working on an office building in Kahului when they should all be busy rebuilding homes! What need for offices when we don’t have jobs or enough people that want to work to staff the businesses still holding on? How did they get permits approved and when?
BOH,
This is the second time you’ve written about the mayor’s proposal. You got quite a lot of flak about actually entertaining it as an effective solution to our housing crisis.
This article is so much better – many details, great analysis, and the courage to point out the emperor has no clothes.
Thank you.
The vacation rental condos targeted by the mayor are all within a half mile of the beach. That alone puts their value close to a million or more. Secondly, they were built before 1989 (the qualification to be on the Minatoya List). Nearly 50 years old, they need hundreds of thousands of dollars of work. Who pays for that? The owners of the condos, through special assessments and sky-high monthly dues. They will never be affordable housing. Even if they were given away for free, the cost to own would be $5,000 – $10,000 a month, and the rent would reflect that. Bissen is saying what you want to hear, instead of saying the truth: “The government f—ed up, not building affordable housing for our people.”
Exactly!!! These properties will never be affordable low income housing! Most aren’t suitable for families.
A breath of fresh air to read a publication willing to document the truth. I hope the government corruption doesn’t overwhelm your efforts to provide clarity and honest reporting. Bravo to the beat of Hawai’i.
I second that!
I just returned from a weeks stay on Maui here’s what I learned.
When a property becomes available for purchase investors are coming in with cash offers of 20 percent over asking price.
Mauiians of retirement age are working 2 sometimes 3 part time jobs to cover expenses especially health care.
The government guarantees of 2 year rental payments to STR owners have sent rental prices soaring to the point where no one can afford to rent without assistance.
We stayed in Wailea Kihei business owners said tourism is down, but since Lahaina was lost their sales are up.
This doesn’t surprise me one bit. You’ve been way too nice. He must think he’s safe. Not so.
The mayor should be recalled!
Our family has been visiting Maui annually for over 15 years, we have made so many great memories with our boys and my parents. The devastation of the Lahaina fires is heartbreaking but the behavior of Mayor Bissen is disappointing. I’m surprised he hasn’t been removed from office. Hopefully that will happen in the near future. You are held accountable for your actions!
Corruption and Incompetence.
Over the past 25 years my annual observation is that Hawaii in general is incredibly mismanaged by public officials who place no priority on safety or infrastructure. In this case, I would expect the citizens of Maui to be outraged. Do they not have the ability to recall and replace elected officials???
Mahalo BOH for this article. We need more of these. Many hope that the mayor will come to his senses but at the very least shedding light on his failure to govern must be done to make residents aware before voting time. Who knows how long it will take to reverse the damage already done to the economy. Rather than free temporary housing at the expense of others that will cripple the economy, present a sustainable solution with jobs, fair pay and training new skills. His bills will not be a solution to an issues, only causes and worsen new issues.
Bissen has bowed down to the few, but loud voices. Bissen apparently also doesn’t understand math. Which Maui families are moving into 500sq. ft condo’s? Where’s the loss of STR money coming from? Why is there no public discussion of loss of STR monies that subsidize us locals on our owner occupied tax rate? Why was Bissen an absentee leader? You cannot replace tourism and cut it off at the head if you have no alternative plan. The level of ignorance & illogical decision making is why Hawai’i is exposed. Lack of foresight & true leadership. You can do all of that & still be pono with aloha.
I have been going to the Hawaii islands for over 20 years, but I canceled my most recent trip because your prices are getting outrageous with all the fees and you 18 percent tax .Hawaii is not a good destination anymore. First you say don’t vacation here then you say we keep people to visit, you don’t know what you want. Hawaii is very poorly run
Florida seems to know how to deal with events like these. Guess they just didn’t want to go in that direction. I mean, within 6 months the Sanibel Island was asking for tourism to return. And a year and half later barely any noticeable hurricane damage. Ft. Myers and Naples seem completely back to normal.
Guess the people of Maui like paying for expensive vacations for others.
Florida is the master of raking in federal FEMA funds and other government assistance for the rebuilding of housing and infrastructure that will just be wiped out once again in a few years, while complaining when any other state needs federal help.
You could make the same claim about the blue city of New Orleans, but you would rather trash Florida because of their success. Either way, no one is complaining in these places about FEMA using the tax dollars we all pay to help our communities in emergency situations…no one except you.
We to are regular visitors to maui over 30 years. We have seen it go from affordable family trip to out of control prices. We were there in February and it seems like everything tripled in price. Some because of our president and inflation like food.
We decided to visit Hawaii in September and stayed in waikoloa. It was incredibly different. The locals appreciate the tourist very friendly and prices are alot more reasonable still expensive but not like maui. We felt a calming atmosphere and not over crowded. It’s very different than maui and truly enjoyed our stay.
Debbie,
Mahalo for not giving up on Hawaii entirely. 🙂
The article seems a little like pile on the dog (but I understand the sentiment and frustration. With that said there are real issues that do need to be addressed with the Short-term rental strategy the mayor has proposed.
I don’t see how the State can take away a property owners rights to earn income. I also don’t understand why there isn’t more discussion and Action on new affordable housing. There
The mayor is significantly out of touch and needs to be replaced with someone who can support the fire efforts, rebuilding, this vacation destination that is crucial to our island and owners of property, including short term rentals. He is clueless.
The mayor should be held accountable for the deaths & loss from the Lahaina fire, imprisoned & removed of any pensions rather than allowed to cause more damage to the residents of Maui & stripping constitutional rights that were fought for & what our country stands for. Hawaii is one of the United States, no matter how it transpired. We fall under the same rights & responsibilities. The U.S. is a melting pot of cultures, ideals & beliefs protected by our constitution until that is also ripped up & meaningless. There is housing, just not low income housing. So build and subsidize but not in resort areas & not by taking away from others. These bills will affect all of us negatively & at huge costs.
I will chose to be hopeful about his visit to Fukushima. Maybe he will see the benefits of the government enabling the construction of new housing to shelter the displaced (not just financially, but by expediting permits, red tape, etc.) as opposed to banning short term rentals and wrecking the Maui economy.
As for the tourism piece- as long as the yen remains historically weak against the dollar- I think that is a fool’s errand (for now).
Whats the problem here? You voted him in, now live with it.
Have to agree with Kenneth. Our political leaders from local to national are voted in by us. If the Maui residents don’t like what the mayor is doing, they will vote him out. If not, they approve. Their choice; it’s their economy and home.