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I recently attended the June 9 Maui County Council meeting regarding the proposed Bill 9 to phase out vacation rentals, and heard impassioned testimony from both sides.
As part-owner of a small family-run property management company which directly employs 25 people, and indirectly, maybe 40 more, this bill would effectively close our nearly 50-year-old business and decimate all our livelihoods.
That said, I empathize with those in need of "affordable" housing. I'm from Portland, Oregon and there is the same problem there as well as pretty much everywhere, so this issue is not isolated to our community.
I primarily manage one-bedroom condos. Since the fire we've housed survivors thru Air BNB and as their contracts expired was asked to reach out to the tenant to offer a long-term lease. Only one accepted and the others said "can't afford." I've also advertised long-term units at going market rates (see Sunset Terrace Apt which has vacancies BTW) and had two inquiries within six weeks.
Included in the testimonies were the possible need for "subsidies" for these units to be affordable and that would be on the state or county to provide.
A member of Mayor Richard Bissen's team mentioned water usage was more with the short-term renters, which I find implausible as these folks are out most of the day.
A 500-square-foot, one-bedroom condo with one parking spot and no storage, not to mention high maintenance fees (and climbing), is not the answer.
Vote no on Bill 9.
Lonelle J. Newman
Lahaina