Maui’s housing crisis is about to clash head-on with its visitor economy. Thousands of short-term rentals may be on the chopping block—and big changes are already in play.
Bill 9, a long-debated measure from Mayor Richard Bissen, would phase out short-term vacation rentals in apartment-zoned districts across Maui, including areas in West Maui and Kihei. In these neighborhoods, Maui vacation rentals have long blurred the line between residential and resort.
While the mayor initially cited around 7,000 units affected, that estimate has been revised. Recent planning documents suggest only about 2,200 units may ultimately be eligible for conversion to long-term housing.
Now, just days before a key Council committee hearing (details below), new amendments are reshaping the conversation. One proposal would delay enforcement until 2030, and another would exempt timeshares entirely. For supporters, these are necessary refinements. But for critics, they’re a sign of retreat.
What’s happening on June 9.
On Monday, the Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee will consider Bill 9 in a hearing that is expected to draw strong testimony from every side. Participation in person, online, by phone, or in writing will be accepted.
This is not a final vote, but it marks a decisive step. The committee may advance the bill, amend it, stall it, or send it to the full Council with recommendations.
Several key amendments are now on the table. One would delay enforcement of the vacation rental ban until July 1, 2030. Another would exempt legally established timeshare units. A third would require formal notice from the Department of Finance to affected property owners.
Mayor Richard Bissen introduced the bill more than a year ago. His administration has framed it as part of a larger housing strategy. County officials say the bill targets a root contributor to Maui’s housing shortage: the loss of residential units to short-term rental use in apartment-zoned areas. We anticipate hearing from Bissen on Monday.
One BOH reader who owns a timeshare raised concerns about how things are headed: “We have loved visiting Maui once or twice yearly for over 20 years. Own 4 weeks of timeshare in Kihei… but the overall costs will now bring our stays to a single 2-week visit. We’re likely nearly giving away the other 2 weeks when we go to sell them.”
How we got here on Maui.
The push to regulate short-term rentals on Maui has simmered for over a decade but surged into public view after the August 2023 wildfires destroyed over 2,200 structures. With long-term housing even scarcer now, Bill 9 gained momentum as a way to return more units to resident use quickly.
Based on Maui’s land use rules, the bill targets visitor accommodations in apartment-zoned districts—areas that were never intended for transient use. Many of the affected properties are tied to the so-called Minatoya List, a legal carveout created years ago that effectively grandfathered short-term rentals in certain apartment-zoned buildings. Most of these units were not built for long-term tenants, and in most cases have never been used that way.
Roughly 85% of the properties in question are owned by people with out-of-state mailing addresses. A University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) study analyzing Maui County property tax records found that of the 6,172 units on the Minatoya List, the vast majority are owned by non-residents.
Supporters of the bill say reclaiming this rental market segment is critical to easing pressure on resident housing, especially in communities where entire buildings long ago became de facto hotels.
A new timeline, another divide.
The new proposal to delay the ban until 2030 has drawn immediate reaction from both sides. Supporters of the original bill say the delay undermines the urgency of the housing crisis and has triggered strong backlash from those demanding faster action.
Some critics on social media questioned whether passing a ban with a five-year runway would accomplish anything, calling it a political move to appear active while postponing any real or substantive action.
At the same time, property owners argue that even with the delay, the proposal and the bill have destabilized their investments and threaten retirement income. Many impacted units are small, lack appropriate facilities, and are in aging complexes that offer no viable path to long-term residential use. Some longtime owners have said their properties were never intended for full-time living, with no parking, laundry, or nearby schools or services.
As one reader told us, “These last-minute changes are gutting the bill. It’s politics as usual, and residents are tired of it.”
Economic fears mount as the market shifts.
Maui’s housing market is already reacting strongly. According to the REALTORS® Association of Maui, the median condo sales price fell nearly 25% year-over-year, from $962,500 in April 2024 to $727,000 in April 2025. During that same period, active listings jumped from 536 to 910 units—a nearly 70% surge in inventory.
Some see that as a market correction. Others interpret it as early signs of far deeper instability in the Maui vacation rental industry.
A study by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) projects that if the bill passes as originally proposed, Maui could face a $900 million annual decline in visitor spending, 1,900 lost jobs, and a $60 million reduction in property tax revenue by 2029.
Opponents also point to a recent survey indicating that only 8% of short-term rental owners would convert their units to long-term use. Most said they would either sell or leave them vacant. As one commenter said, “Taking away visitor rentals doesn’t equal adding housing. These aren’t affordable units—and they won’t magically become them.”
The timeshare carveout.
One of the most closely watched amendments would explicitly exempt timeshare units from the phase-out. Supporters argue that timeshares operate under different rules than vacation rentals, with fractional ownership structures and fixed usage schedules that make them less disruptive.
But critics question why timeshares should be treated differently. They point out that both involve short-term stays by non-residents and often exist in the same apartment-zoned complexes. The distinction, they argue, is arbitrary, and it has sparked growing anger among those who see it as another loophole for well-connected property classes.
The current version of Bill 9 introduced by Council Chair Tasha Kama includes the exemption in clear terms. Earlier drafts, including the mayor’s original proposal, did not. County officials have since suggested that clarifying language could be added, but there is no consensus on how timeshares should be handled.
Legal limbo ahead.
Even if the committee advances the bill on Monday, final passage could take months, and lawsuits are all but guaranteed no matter what happens next.
Property owners have relied on long-standing county approvals, business licenses, and tax classifications to operate legally. They argue that if the county reverses course, it could amount to a regulatory taking under state or federal law—something they say they will simply not allow.
Multiple legal challenges are underway related to Maui’s handling of short-term rental permits and zoning enforcement. Bill 9 would almost certainly add more.
Will this change Maui for visitors or residents?
Supporters say yes—eventually. If even a fraction of the phased-out units reenter the long-term housing market, it could help meaningfully ease the shortage. Others argue it will push rentals to other islands, other parts of Maui, or unregulated channels.
There’s also a cultural dimension. For many residents, the bill represents a chance to reclaim neighborhoods overtaken by transient visitors.
But there’s a risk, too. As one reader warned, “If you make it too hard to visit Maui affordably, people will simply stop trying.”
How you can participate.
The Housing and Land Use Committee meets on Monday at 10:00 a.m. The session will be broadcast on Akaku Channel 53 and streamed online via Microsoft Teams.
Testimony will be accepted in several formats. Participants may testify in person at the Council Chambers, by phone at 1-808-977-4067 (code: 461 899 61#), or online via Microsoft Teams by visiting mauicounty.us/agendas and clicking the meeting link listed for June 9.
Written testimony can also be submitted by email to [email protected] or through the eComment system on the same site.
What do you think?
Should Maui delay the ban until 2030? Should timeshares be exempt? Have you stayed in one of the condos that could be affected, or do you own one?
Your voice matters, especially now. Join the conversation below or submit testimony to Maui County before Monday’s hearing.
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I own a short term rental in Kihei when the pandemic hit I had to sell my home, but I kept my love and my money on Maui maybe now that was a mistake when I talked with FEMA about long-term rental for the Lahaina fire they said no because people from Lahaina would not come to Kihei so I’m not sure what the mayor thinks is going to happen. .
Best of Hawaii is always doing its best to gentrify our islands by being a mouth piece for visitors. It doesn’t name or quote local leadership or residents, just alarmist media about whether rich people made the right investment on Maui or not. Cry me a river. I’m a real person who has three jobs, two kids and has been in Maui county for 6 generations. It’s a comedy skit that anyone here thinks that tourism is the answer. It is in fact the root cause of gentrification and homeless. But the blog really is entertaining: entitled Americans crying about your fourth home or how much your Hawaii trip is gonna cost 😂
Class warfare isn’t the answer. Maui’s only industry is tourism. We can’t support manufacturing. Farming requires few people to handle dozens of acres. Our school systems are among the worst in the US, so tech jobs are a non-starter. We need to embrace tourism by keeping vacation costs affordable, keeping the island clean and crime-free, and making this the most desirable vacation spot in the world.
please help me to understand how this affects my situation. I own a condo at Aston Ka’anapali shores in Maui.
Could we lose our status as well? I believe were considered a hotel. I’ve owned for 30 years.
Thank you
The mayor and his supporters have flown into a box canyon. If they don’t admit this idea will never result in the outcome they desire and abandon it, they will crash and burn. Dragging it out only insures defeat. Their political future is now certain. Drop the idea Now and don’t run for re-election. Let the market prevail. Their hotel-funded slush funds are Already doomed. Units that can’t attract renters at prices that support them will shut down as with any market-driven business. The county and state tax systems will find the owners that are still cheating and send them packing. New politicians will focus on attracting new business’ to Maui and creating good jobs for Native Hawaiians instead of wasting time on this stupidity.
We’ve visited Maui 5 or 6 times for 1 to 2 weeks each time. We’ve always stayed in lovely rental apartments. This has made it possible to visit and contribute to the local economy. If short term rentals are not available or become much more expensive, visiting will be impossible.
Penny, There are plenty of Maui vacation rentals that are hotel zoned and will not be affected by any of these new policies. From what I have observed, prices for these are dropping because occupancy is way, way down. My advice is to look for rentals where you can deal directly with the owner. Ask if the complex is “hotel zoned” and offer to make a deal far in advance. Most likely they will be very happy to have your business booked at an affordable rate. I know I would be happy to deal with visitors in that way.
Tourism is already down as we speak, because there are too many issues in Maui and the island’s economy is already feeling the effect. The residents made it known to people that tourists aren’t welcome in their island. If this Bill 9 passes, the island will die. Businesses will be closing because there aren’t tourists coming, no jobs for locals, no money going to the County of Maui from taxes, hence, residents will have no chance to owning and even afford renting the properties that are very high in HOA. There is got to be a middle ground. This Mayor just went to the extreme and proposed this bill without doing his homework. If only he start building affordable housing to residents, they would’ve been built by now.
If this bill passes, there will be tons of lawsuits, more time wasted and tax money for legal representations.
Why don’t a group of us – as large as possible – stage a demonstration with signs in front of the governors or mayors mansions, and alert the media. They can’t not be interested, unless the Democrats completely control the media.
The only weapon we have to fight this is the media, if we can get them interested, as well as self interested.
Where does the government spend those 18% of TAT and GET taxes?
Where does the government spend those very unfair property taxes that out of state owners pay?
Seizing condos will not help increase residential housing, it will only put 2000 people out of work
The permitting nightmare has been and is the main culprit behind the housing shortage. This is especially hard on those trying to rebuild homes and small businesses in Lahaina. Why not accelerate the process like in Democrat controlled LA?
Stop punishing out of state owners who provide taxes, visitors, high property taxes for the benefit of the local economy, businesses?
My wife and I purchased a timeshare unit several years ago at Sands of Kahana. Over the years we have not only paid maintenance and membership fees which are distributed in Maui County, and over the years contributed personally to the Maui economy. During the revitalization of Lahiana we feel we have contributed to the community for its reconstruction. We have heard from residents that the conversion of housing built thru FEMA to private housing is going to be unaffordable to the general population of Maui. What funds are available for the immediate purchase of timeshare units by the county? Does the county have funds available for the fair and marketable value of timeshare units?
While we are sympathetic with those that lost their homes and businesses we don’t fathom giving them our units and driving away visitors. Possibly, making a visit to Maui so uncomfortable they go to another island or not visit Hawaii altogether.
Can’t wait for this idiot to screw over the only industry Hawaii really has. Lmao without tourism no one has jobs, which means they can’t pay rent regardless of how much it costs. Politicians are stupid everywhere.
After reading all the eye opening comments about Maui’s Bill 9, and its apparently inadequate propositions to the ongoing housing crisis, I propose an alternative solution. Perhaps, there could be an economic incentive for both landlords and tenants as well as developers/builders and prospective buyers, sellers, and investors. For instance, it may be possible to allocate the enormous amount of taxes and fees to provide rental subsidy to help local Hawaiians afford the high cost of renting. Then, at the same time, the state can provide a tax credit or deduction for landlords for renting their properties to long-term tenants. In addition, the state of Hawaii could create a program that would partner with prospective home buyers and invest 20-30% in their home purchase which would be paid back to the state with portion of the appreciation when the home is sold. These strategies may possibly blunt the appeal of STRs and encourage more development and availability of long-term housing.
Everyone should read the University of Hawaii study. If short term rentals are banned, Maui will take a huge economic hit.
You got what you voted for.
Look at any Democrat run city and you will see the same results.
I lived on the Big Island for 45 years. I saw what was coming around the curve. Sold everything and moved to Asia. Much better than Hawaii could ever dream of being. Hawaii is an overrated tourist trap with broken down public facilities. Once the tourist stop coming. Hawaii is doomed!!!
Look up the definition of “feckless” in the dictionary, and youʻll see a group photo of Mauiʻs politicians. Hawaii’s notorious pay-to-play system, combined with the inherent problems of knowing everyone on a small island, has landed us in this mess. Let’s commission yet another study and kick the can down the road some more. Or, like Bissen is doing, latch on to a wildly impractical solution for shameless political expediency.
How about turning the tables on developers and the real-estate industry and mandate truly affordable housing be built before a single new luxury is allowed to be built?
There is greed to profit (money) from the island of Maui.
There is greed to help (kokua) the island of Maui.
Whichever greed is more important….will determine the future of the island Maui.
Our government officials are economic illiterates. Take a 2-bedroom vacation rental on S. Kihei Rd. This bill will drive down the selling price from over $1 million today to close to $750,000. Time for some math: $2,000 per month (minimum) for a mortgage, $1,500 per month for condo dues, plus at least $1,500 per month for property taxes. That’s $5,000 per month, plus utilities, just to cover costs. How do you get to something affordable for a working class couple with one or two kids? Oh yeah, enjoy the one parking spot and no street parking.
Government officials, how will you deal with the loss of tax revenues on the lowered-value condos, plus no more vacation rental taxes? Sheesh. Economic illiterates.
Well said. They will
1. blame others
2. Blame climate change
3. Blame “unforseen consequences”.
Lots of places to blame (other than themselves).
They’re going forward with this when it goes wrong they’ll place the blame on tourist, climate change or lack of diversity, maybe all 3, raise taxes on beach umbrella rentals and call it good.
It is just political game. How they think long term housing can be had in a hotel building is ludicrous. And the HOA dues alone are way too high to allow locals to live there…they never addressed the real problem of affordable housing but they loved getting all the transient tax and property tax increases. Now values have dropped like a rock and they are still writing a budget based on old values and more tourists coming when they have eliminated accommodations. They must really think everyone has an IQ of a rock not to see the foolish ploy to play to their base of locals.
Be careful what you wish for! Without tourist in short term rentals what happens to Maui’s economy?
Well, LOTS of people will leave – and then they will have less opposition to the next phases of their plan.
Search for the U. N.’s 2030 plan.
“Less people, more open space” is the future they have planned – starting with Maui.
Very upsetting to read what is being discussed about Maui.
A wonderful paradise for years and I hate thinking that it will not be available for people like me , age 81, who look forward to living on sunny, warm Maui during the Winter months each year.
Hopefully we will be able to return soon.
They can say they will defer the bill’s effect for 5 years, but then they are also deferring the lawsuits as a result. Kicking the can down the road. There will many closed businesses. Thousands of locals forced to move off island to find jobs. More home foreclosures of the locals that did lose their jobs. The county keeps raising assessments and property taxes. They are finally at the pooint of killing the golden goose. Many owners may not sell or rent long term. Then what will the county do? Those units will be subject to much lower property tax rates, unless the county goes ahead and raises them again. County greed is the cause of all of this.
Hummm let’s see, help families… Or make them suffer and make money
What a ridiculous statement! When I bought my condo in 2013 there was no one lined up in front of or behind me to purchase it. I am not the cause of your affordable housing issues your county is. I employ many people and I am certainly not getting rich from owning an STR. Every dollar I make stays on Maui. Perhaps you should have some facts instead of listening to LS. If you think the STR owners will give up their condos for long term rentals you are mistaken. We have the legal right to rent and have since our property was developed.
“There’s also a cultural dimension. For many residents, the bill represents a chance to reclaim neighborhoods overtaken by transient visitors.”………….This is the Only reason I am understanding of this. This so called cultural dimension is what has caused the whole uproar and the fires of course. I am not qualified to give my opinion here, and I am old and tired and just can not afford to travel there anymore and this is all so sad. I wish the owners and the locals the very best. The displaced locals, and all those that had to exit the island because of the whole mess.
I believe that all decisions should be voted on by the residents of Maui. I loved Maui when my husband and I visited there and our plans were to return. Unfortunately, he passed and I won’t be returning. Even if I was, I believe that the Maui residents have a right to vote on this and make the decisions that are right for Maui. God bless you all and mahalo for sharing your beautiful island with my husband and I.
The Maui residents already did vote on this by putting democrats in office. They created this mess.
I have been a visitor to Maui for almost 30 years, connecting to several friends and families over time.
It would be a shame to be forced to discontinue spending time here because I can no longer staying in the housing that is both affordable and private. I have always done my best to support the local businesses and non-profits through donation. Having to refocus my stays to hotels would shorten my visits and force me to spend more money on my visitor housing than on the community and vendors.
My observation is that the proposed housing would not be affordable to the local population and the reduction of visitors would also be a reduction in services and jobs. This would have an negative impact to the locals.
This is a Lose/Lose situation.
Come up with another plan.
I completely agree with you. The property taxes that out of state owners pay, would most likely bankrupt most as a full time rental or home. Property Tax payers should be allowed to vote, on these issues.
So much foolishness from the local government. Where is the money that we STR owners have paid in higher taxes that was supposed to support more housing for locals? Why doesn’t Lahaina Strong complain about that? Why is the permitting process so slow after a natural disaster? Other communities move faster than this. Finally, my HOA and insurance costs are $1700 per month. That’s before property tax and mortgage. There is no way that these homes are going to be affordable as long term rentals– even with an increase in supply.
I agree, where does all the taxes and fees go? For instance, for a $6K hotel and rental car package to Maui or Oahu you have to pay at $1000 in fees and taxes.
We bought in 1998 and never intended to rent long-term. The zoning allowed for what we did. This kind of retroactive punishment is hard to accept
Why is nobody talking about the people who clean, manage, and service these units just for starters? Where do they all go when 2,000 or 7,000 rentals suddenly vanish?
These amendments don’t solve anything. Delaying the inevitable only guarantees more instability for everyone will continue to drag on. Maybe for decades.
The way this is being handled feels like yet another example of the county overpromising and underdelivering. The hearing will be theater. The lawsuits will be real.
Honestly, I’m tired of seeing the lack of housing on Maui. If this doesn’t get fixed, we’ll keep losing teachers, nurses, and everyone else we actually need to have a functioning island. Not sure what the answer to this is.
Bissen’s mantra— “My mind is made up, don’t confuse me with the facts”. Taking away something that legally belongs to someone else is never going to end well.
We just sold our Maui condo and not a moment too soon. Watching this unfold has been heartbreaking.
The timeshare carveout is where this whole thing loses me. If we’re going to phase out transient use, then phase out all transient use. Anything less feels like politics, not principle.
Most timeshares are located in our big name, off shore, non resident owned hotels. Hmm, go figure.
They will never harm timeshares.
I think the Hawaii government officials are all bought by special interest groups. This time it’s the hotel industry. Tomorrow it will be something else. Think back to why the inter-island ferry system was abandoned. Pretty obvious.
Just Saying
‘RFTNFM’
Rules For Thee, Not For MeI’m
Everyone voting on this bill/referendum needs to be investigated for their holdings and where they got their money.
Might be interesting to see what dog they really have in this fight.
Are they willing to give up their property or investment properties for the common good?
Here goes Maui again – taking away legally-obtained licenses/permits to attempt to solve a problem that exists on every island in Hawaii. Maybe, rather than continue to give big, out-of-state developers the right to build luxury condos (especially when giving them exemptions), government should focus on building for the locals & not taking away others’ rights. We’re from Oahu & have stayed at numerous vacation rentals on Maui (sometimes more than three weeks) for work & pleasure. Cost for a hotel room, even at the Marriott, can cost up to $1,000 day. How can us locals afford that? HVB pushes “staycations” – at what cost? The amount of jobs & small businesses that will be affected, in my opinion, outweighs any kind of benefit that the mayor & council think will help the locals. This was simply the mayor’s futile attempt to get back in to the good graces of his constituents.
You’ve made some excellent observations about this issue from a local perspective. However, I would like to add that many commentators have not mentioned how the billionaire landowners and hoteliers have attempted to influence how Maui’s politicians create and implement housing policies. Also, both political parties cater to the interests of the wealthy property owners and developers whether through taxes and fees on the majority of the population and tourists or through corporate tax breaks and subsidies.
Actually, it was his idea to get LS off of the beach in Kaanapali! His hotel buddies were not pleased with the views their guests were getting with the tents, etc. And now here we are. Locals expecting others to give up their property (that we all worked hard for) so that they can have it. Life doesn’t work like that.
I would’ve never visited Maui with the hotel rates as they were and are. Staying in vacation condos is not cheap either (rates are typically $1,800 – $2,800 for 8 nights), but it makes the trip practical.
As a frequent user of these rentals, I’m insulted that it’s being inferred that my use of them is displacing local residents. It’s a horrible message to send by people who should know better and undercuts the tourism industry as a whole.
The people who come to Hawaii love Hawaii and would never intentionally do anything to harm her, this messaging is an affront to those of us who feel connected to this special place and is actually hurtful.
I agree, and the politicians of both political parties are using the same old tactics of “divide and conquer,” in Bill 9 by picking winners and losers. The STRs and tourists are the scapegoat for short-sighted housing policies. At the end of the day, this bill protects the interests of the big hotels and resorts, and the billionaires.
The UHERO numbers on lost jobs is way low too. Losing $900M in GDP is a lot more than 1900 jobs which is only at the best jobs in the STR market, it ignores all the lost small businesses that STR’s push guests too, not like the hotels that keep everything inside the hotel system and then move the money back to corporate off island. ,
Democrats never let a good crisis go to waste. Using the excuse of the Maui fire, the crusade for taking over 7000 housing units was placed into motion, paying only a fraction of the value of these properties.
The major culprit has actually been the overly strict red tape and years of “environmental” studies and bureaucratic red tape imposed by the state of Hawaii. It has even severely delayed the reconstruction of Lahina. The other is that the hotel association has a lot more influence ($ and campaign contributions) than the condo associations, allowing the former to dramatically increase their room rates, now often over $1000/night. There is a word for this that begins with a C.
“Overly strict red tape” is the #1 deterrent to local building. Waiting for a permit takes months. The people of Hawaii deserve better. Lahaina residents should have had their permits within 2 weeks of submitting them.
Hi Teri. Great point!!! Why can’t the Mayor get an expedited Terms for building permits like Mayor Bass in Los Angeles got for the Palisades/Eaton fire victims? Lahaina has been a few years now and within 4 months over here, people are starting to rebuild already.
Timeshares? Take an apartment, split it into 52 weeks and sell each week to a separate owner. How do you convert this back into a long-term rental? It’s not a single owner renting, who owns and is responsible for the property, and can rent it as long as the owner wishes, but 52 different owners, who would be denied their properties’ usage. Emanate domain?
Plus timeshares pay the highest taxes of any residential property. Who is going to pay those taxes? Someone who can’t use their property? Unlikely. Will the seized properties renters be wiling to pay those high taxes? Will the county subsidize its own taxes?
Like ’em or loathe ’em; they are a totally different form of ownership, which doesn’t fit the bill at all.
So 7,000 units down to 2,200? The number of “structures” is estimated at 2,200, that were lost in the fire. How many living units we’re lost vs. commercial properties of the 2,200? . How many of the 2,200 are being re-built, already built, and what about the huge amount of new units open now, as well as all the temporary dwellings? How many are really needed at this point?
How many are needed? A lot more than all of these units.
Many people have pointed out this is not going to work as the properties were designed to visitors and most have HOA fees few working on Maui could even afford these. Parking needs will double. Cars will be on the streets.
Not very well thought out, but what did anyone expect from the officials we keep electing.
Short term rentals are a scourge to local communities everywhere. (Look at Steamboat Springs CO.) Move up the deadline and don’t back down. Go invest in something else and quit gaming local populations.
You don’t get it. These buildings weren’t designed for long term tenants. this doesn’t solve the lack of housing which really is a red herring.
The damage is already done. I have owned a Legal vacation rental for 25 years. At present, my rental has only two weeks of bookings from now till year end. Visitors are scared. Many STR owners are in financial distress.
My condo association has over $2400 of monthly fees and assessments. This does not include utilities, insurance or property tax which I pay separately. It is ridiculous to think that local residents want, or can afford, to purchase or rent in this condo property. Thus, Bill 9 (to ban STR’s) will do nothing to create affordable housing, or solve Maui’s housing crisis. I have already submitted my testimony to that effect for the June 9 hearing.
I accept the possibility that careful conversion of some STRs into work force housing can be a positive contribution to housing shortage on Maui. However, the County proposals lack understanding of the consequences. Condo Associations will be on the ropes caused by the financial limitations and stress of work force occupants, and some associations will go into bankrupt. Maintenance will fall apart. These thoughtless conversions are going to be the ghettos of tomorrow.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Promotion of workforce housing is a universally accepted goal. What is lacking is real world experience and expertise by the government that seems to be bound to make a bad situation worse.
I don’t think you are considering their whole plan:
1. Eliminate STR’s and the jobs that go with them.
2. Say you are doing it to help make housing “affordable” – all while ignoring the fact that most of the properties in question are too expensive to be used as LTR’s.
3. Fight the lawsuits while tourism / business shrinks.
Outcome?
– with less people needing affordable housing (because they moved to Las Vegas to get a job), the mayor can celebrate his victory – “the number of people in need of affordable housing is 50% or 25% of what it was before” – so it was a success!