Rent stabilization cut down by Chair Tasha Kama at Housing and Land Use Committee meeting
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WAILUKU--The Housing and Land Use Committee met in Wailuku on Wednesday, Sept. 25, reconvening from a Sept. 16 meeting. The only agenda item discussed in the two-hour meeting was relating to rent stabilization, and potential adjustments to real property tax law. The committee also looked at how rent stabilization would potentially affect Maui County.
Councilmember Tasha Kama, Kahului residency seat holder and Housing and Land Use Committee chair, stated at the Sept. 25 reconvened committee meeting that she was not planning to introduce rent-stabilization legislation.
Kama said on Friday her decision in the Wednesday meeting was based on careful consideration of all the potential effects of such legislation. Many may not realize that most of the housing that exists on Maui is the result of private investment, including the affordable-housing stock, Kama said.
Without that investment, the county would not have that housing, she said. One clear effect of rent stabilization or control is the loss of future investment and therefore the loss of future attainable housing, said Kama in a press release Friday. Kama serves as the council's presiding officer pro tempore
"I was moved by the many testifiers who came to share their personal stories to the HLU Committee on Sept. 16," Kama said. "Their passion was not lost on me. However, I believe we need to have deep consideration to help find a win-win solution to this issue.
"I have had discussions with Richard Mitchell, our new housing director. We have concluded that a more comprehensive approach to the entire issue of attainable housing is needed.
"I am looking forward to our upcoming discussions in the Housing and Land Use Committee about a cooperative approach with the mayor's administration to address our housing needs. I believe those discussions will be much more fruitful than trying to establish another level of regulation that is likely to result in less housing available for those who need it."
Carol Lee Kamekona, candidate for the Maui County Council's Kahului residency seat who is running against Kama, expressed disappointment and concern after the recent decision by the Housing and Land Use Committee to halt discussions on rent stabilization.
"I was honestly shocked and disappointed," Kamekona stated in a video interview. "Our people are known for their aloha, and they deserve the same in return from their leaders. We can't just talk about caring for our community--we need to show it with real action. Our residents deserve better, and I'm committed to making sure they get it."
The next HLU Committee is set for Oct. 9 at 9 a.m. The meeting will be held in the Council Chamber in Wailuku and online using Microsoft Teams.