In response to an April 8 letter regarding vacation rentals: They are in residential zones, and economic hardship is something that everyone has been facing.
People who do use their homes as vacation rentals don't think of family values or of community outcomes. Just look of all the illegal operators now and add up the lost revenue there.
Limiting the amount of rentals is a way to make sure that revenues will be paid and that rentals will not overtake. With a vacation rental next to you, the property tax will go higher cause of your neighbor can't read their contract payment plan for buying their home. Or are they just part-time residents here and just bought a home to make money here? I, for one, know a lot of homeowners in Kihei - and other places - who live here only three or four months and have a Realtor to rent out their home when there not here. There are even Canadian families with homes here. Now remember, they're not even citizens - is that fair?
What studies were made on vacation rentals? If it's by the Realtors association, well that's why it looks so good that it stinks. This what you call Western influence - all for the money. No aloha.
Rudy Sumabat
Kahului
