Legislating to favor a specific and controversial industry instead of addressing wider economic challenges persistently needing attention seems unwise. Hawaii’s rushed Superferry support illustrated hazards of favoring insistent rule-bending interests without first doing necessary environmental study. Laws should establish consistent guidelines before making exceptions.
Stories about hardship from the TVR crackdown provoke sympathy, but they represent a small fraction of the difficulties residents have faced over decades from poor planning, inflexible laws, murky regulation and limited opportunities. These are the real challenges for government, and it’s the right fight.
Far more Maui homes are threatened by predatory lending practices and limited economic choices than by declining TVR revenues. More good jobs are obstructed by home-business prohibitions than are lost to unpermitted TVRs. Many long-term affordable rentals have suffered under strict county scrutiny.
Most small farmers work another job to support themselves. Working at home instead of driving elsewhere for construction or service work offers both public and private advantages.
Small business delivers the most employment per dollar spent. Home business can be the easiest and least risky to start, yielding excellent return for capable, active workers. Often, it’s more enjoyable work, too.
Progressive government could behave like a gardener, improving the soil for small enterprises to grow. The gardener removes threats and protects against invasive species that overgrow and crowd out productive vegetables.
Is it wise to unleash a controversial, fast-growing, high-profit industry that consumes land and housing opportunities without first performing diligent environmental review?
Daniel Grantham
Haiku
