Maui Commission’s unanimous vote to phase out 7,000 vacation rentals aims to address the housing crisis there. But it has sparked significant backlash, dividing the community and highlighting deep-seated issues including economic fears, racism, and xenophobia.
They just shot themselves in the foot….
By the time the lawyers tease out the details, the government could build all the housing locals need. This is going to take years.
This is a really good point… this is short sighted by Hawaiian government as usual, they will spend a ton of money litigating this for years and lose in the end.
They could have invested this money and time working towards the solution they will have to come up with when they lose, land to build on and affordable housing options.
This line says it all…”Overall, statewide output would decline by $3.25 billion.” Wow, does any of these “decison makers” from the Gov on down have any clue how this would gut Maui and the state in general? This is econonic ignorance of the highest order. Plus, clear 4th amendment issues and the fact that for decades the Hawaiin goverment has simply ignored the local housing crisis. My next few planned trips to Hawaii may well be the end for me…hard to believe I am even saying that.
I know there’s a lot of opposing views on both sides of this issue. The good thing is we will all find out how this pans out over the next few years. I can’t for the life of me understand how they think the STR ban will bring prices down so more family’s can afford them. Most of the units in the banned area are well over 1 million dollars.
The prices are probably always going to be high. It’s Hawaii. It’s one of the most beautiful places around. Lots of people are going to want to move there. Limiting STR is not going to change that.
And that dude who said we don’t belong here sell us back your units. Okay, write me a check for 1.5 million and you can have it.
Bet that guy also claims “Royal Bloodline” as well?
Never fail to take advantage of a good crisis to take advantage of taxpayers. “Don’t let a good crisis go to waste”
They also dodge their own responsibility for not providing affordable housing because of state and local restrictive regulations. Blame it on the “Haoles” instead of being honest
To Me, this tension is a culmination of what is happening Everywhere in the US because of the perception that Airbnb et al is at least part of the cause of the lack of affordable housing.
Although I also subscribe to that view, it is not the Main underlying issue. The Primary issue is that in Every state and local government, there has long been an absence of affordable housing planning. Government just focuses on things that benefit business activity and wealth attraction without regard to the workers needed to sustain such activities.
It’s this lack of planning by state and local governments across the country that is the Main problem. The lack of affordable housing planning causes a severe shortage as income differences become greater and greater. People then point to short-term rentals as the main reason because it’s an easy target.
We don’t seem to have these issues in FL. It gets crowded every year due to snowbirds and spring breakers. Every year we just adjust to the increased crowds and those that have businesses welcome the outstanding boost to their businesses. Then again, we don’t give a rats butt about who’s an outsider or what race one is.
The demise of Hawaii and especially Maui is well underway. Glad I got out and returned home.
Most areas of FL do not command housing prices on a par with HI. Your comparison fails to account for the factors that until relatively recently, FL was an affordable place to buy and locals could still afford homes. HI has been living with this issue for a long time. Poor planning is a part of it, but also the lack of land in a climate that is enjoyable year round leads to high prices, and then add in people who buy high priced homes and condos but rent them at places that are too high for local wage earners, and you have a big problem. Add in a fire destroying a significant amount of homes and businesses and causing great loss of life and you have a shitstorm. FL does not equate.
I have a question. Did those that are displaced have homeowners insurance to cover the fire damage on their properties? if they didn’t that’s on them-obviously. I live in Florida and we are in the thralls (since the pandemic) of exuberant rental prices. As a landlord during this time, I never raised my rents. But that came back to bite me. As prices of everything went up when I needed a new roof and a new AC system that rent I was Not collecting hurt me. I eventually sold because I needed $25,000 in repairs and I would’ve had it had I raised the rents like everyone else. I was essentially renting to locals by keeping my rent prices down and happy to do it. Had prices of everything stayed status quo, I might’ve been able to afford it. When people can’t afford to live here anymore, they sell. Or, they pack up and move to a cheaper state. What makes your people any different? If the locals can’t afford it-they have to move.
Sean,
Not sure which part of FL you live, but in the FL panhandle (Walton County-30A) it’s been experiencing a tremendous development growth over the past 15 years. The local government has done little to help build affordable housing for locals that work in the service industry. Instead, the local govt consistently approves 10 bedroom houses that sleep 20 so out of state investors can park their $ and short term rent these ‘mini-hotels’ out. It strains the infrastructure, produces more trash, etc all while the beach isn’t getting any bigger. Oh, and to add to it, these out of state investors of gulf-front properties sued the County to claim the beach as private where their property lines are. So an explosive amount of tourism, less public beach, strain on infrastructure, no consideration for locals to live/work…sounding familiar?
Good luck Alaska air so much for the island culture
I dont come from a lot of money, have to save and work hard to travel. But, in this day of social media. The class of travellers is certainly at a low point. I miss the good ole days and just feel that the days of travelling to beautiful Hawaiian Islands are over, its all about eating, and kids playing in the big pool slides. The real nature of the land and its people are gone. The real reason that those that use to travel to the Islands is non existent, and so, I am about to bow out of this experience. There is just Toooo much drama for the high cost of travel to this island of Maui and all other Hawaiian isalnds.
I have stated this before and will state again. In 1970. I discovered the island of Maui. I Fell Absolutely In Love. In 1971. I already saw growth. In 1986 I eloped on Maui and across the condo I Saw Soooo Much Building, that I promised Mayor Lingo,that I would never move there to help keep the GreenSpace of Maui. She promised to not build high rises, HA! I kep my promise. Fast forward. This talk of xenophobia is disgusting. All these talks are horrible and after my recent visit, although in my heart I would like to visit one more time, I doubt it will happen. There Just Ain’t No More Aloha On Maui!
The level of stupidity and ignorance displayed by the county government is mind boggling. The sense of entitlement by Justin Kekiwi and his cohorts is typical of those who want something for nothing, and that is exactly what they will get-nothing.
Goodbye Maui, it was nice knowing you.
My parents always told me “if the government gives you something for nothing you get nothing for something”.
The statement “…Those people no belong here. And we don’t want you here. So, sell your units back to us.” And how many of the “us” would even be able to afford to buy those units?
The bottom line fallacy here is the concept that life is “Fair”. Life is Not fair, in fact life is manifestly “Unfair”. It is now, has always been, and always will be. The sooner people learn that, the sooner they will make progress in understanding life… The level of entitlement I see on both sides of the issue is astounding to me… JMHO.
Best Regards
Here in Alaska, it’s understood that “independents” are the “best” tourists. They tap into the strengths of family-owned Alaska businesses. Locals who provide services to independents have tax deductions, are owners, and build family businesses that tie to their personal interests. They have a real chance for personal growth and wealth. But you prefer hotels in Hawaii. Not a good idea. People who work for hotels and large outside corporations are not “owners”. They are not the bosses. They are just low-paid employees. We know this in Alaska.. What’s with Hawaii? Have you guys never thought of this?
What a great point about the “Alaskan Way”. I’ve been to Alaska twice, and both times stayed at individually owned properties. Not one big corporate owned hotel. A total of 7 places. It seems to me that this is a much better way to support more hard-working locals.
Housing on maui for locals has never been a priority for politicians. I remember when there was a ban on building in certain areas like west maui kaanapali. But westin somehow(money) got the politicians to let it happen. Not just 1 but 2 large hotel/villas were built on prime property that has a great beach. I think it was public and used by locals before. But housing for locals didn’t happen. This new law will drive away tourists and the locals will lose jobs. Owners will have to shut down. Now those who want the ban are not really thinking it through and the impacts. We go to maui every year for last 40 years and like staying in oceanfront condos. Kaanapali is the best area for us. Not sure what these fall into but but I’m sure marriott, weston and Hyatt will pay someone to keep there property a rental. After covid it was packed with tourists but this year in February it wasn’t crowded at all. Things have settled down.
With legal challenges inevitable, the time is right for compromises. The legal expenses for both sides will leave the lawyers as the only winners and the locals and property owners the losers.
According to this article and others that I have read; properties and units on the Minatoya list that are zoned “hotel” should be safe from the possible transfer away from short-term rental status. We are planning a Maui vacation in June 2025 and plan to stay at the Honua Kai for a week. Am I correct to assume that the two Honua Kai buildings (whole complex) are zoned hotel and should remain that?
The real tragedy here ìs that the proposed ban is a pandering shell game that diverts from the terrible government policies that have made development of low and moderate housing in Hawaii nearly impossible. While the understandable emotional appeals for low cost housing are totally justified, the ban will exacerbate the housing crisis and severely damage the economy of Maui. Even a casual reading of the article shows the battle between emotional pleas for housing versus the facts. One and two bedroom condos are not suitable for long term, affordable housing. Such a drastic reduction in vacation rentals will only serve to drive up hotel rates, further driving away tourist then there are the profound legal issues.
Too bad the politicians are hiding behind this pander while they refuse to zone for and allow development of low cost housing.
Good luck Maui. I will never be back. Last time I looked this was still America. Doesn’t look like America to me.
And the saga continues… If the local population had any sincere interest in the well being of their land use, housing and economy, then they should have become more involved and run for office to set the outline and rules for a ” better managed Maui for All”. Too little -too late. Time will tell.
I’m not sure whether to laugh or feel sorry for the people of Maui. We are one meeting away from locals using water guns on tourists . To anyone who has spent any significant time on Maui you have seen this coming for a long while. And now residents and the government will get their wish. Fewer tourists, and less income. And everyone will act surprised. But that will not matter because the government will simply find a way to give them more of what they really want: money for nothing.
South Lake Tahoe did this a while ago and it helped locals significantly. The argument that we need the tourism is moot because before airbnbs there was plenty of tourism. The problem now is that all the mainlanders jumped on the airbnb train…which forced out and priced out the actual people who supply services to the tourists. There needs to be balance. Issue a certain amount of permits each year for airbnbs (like Tahoe does), then Push all visitors back to the hotels.
The vacation rental market (STRs) existed long before Airbnb and VRBO. It was even encouraged by the government and certain areas were designated as visitor destination locations.
I only hope that there is no attempt to revoke these rights.
You are right, however, in the last 10 years the Marriott and other large hotel corporations have expanded and are now offering air bnbs everywhere. They are buying homes in residential areas. Who can compete with a Goliath like Marriott when buying a house? $1.5m is made in probably every minute for Marriot (and other big companies). And when they purchase for that price in an areas where there maybe be $750k homes it bumps up the price of all the comps.
It did work for a while in South lake tahoe, but it’s nothing like Hawaii maui in piticular. Tahoe never had the tourist numbers maui does. The hotels and casinos are hurting now because of it. Many small casinos went out of business and now less jobs. North lake tahoe/ truckee area still have housing issues because of high prices. You either have an island and tourists or you have to bring industrial and farming back to help support the people. Living off the government is not living.
Lived in south Tahoe 1971-2017 saw many changes and got to know numerous of the “Old Timers” that were there back in 1920’s through the 2000’s. Heard about the various locals early days shenanigans firsthand. Saw the neighborhoods ruined when the Vacation Rental “business” started. Investors buying multiple properties as “thier Retirement income sources”. Noise pollution, trash, 8 cars crammed into and on to streets where there “legally” were only supposed to be no More than 4 cars. The city was finally getting a grip about the time we moved out of CA. When we sold out the house was only on the market 3 days. The last day we were showing it the “big cash money” types suddenly showed up, I resolved Not to sell to them and got a lesser offer from a young local family, who sold it $300,000 over what we sold it for in 2017. Property prices went out of sight there with the work at home online types.
Base on the probable time frame of any “conversion” of properties from TVR’s to Residential being well into the future, it has little to do with the Lahaina fire. So the focus needs to be on what the real issue is, the lack of housing for the service community. That is a problem which exists across the country. From my prospective, the focus should be how to create “new” housing projects to handle this situation, ones that are economically built and retain some reasonable value for the sale prices and rents. There seems to be plenty of land available. I don’t have the answers, and I am sure that others have suggestions on how this can be done.