After much controvercy surrounding Transient Vacation Rentals in Maui it looks like legislation is now being sought to end the TVR mess. As reported in Maui News, Sunday, March 9, "Owners of Maui's embattled bed-and breakfast and short term vacation rental businesses appeared hopeful Saturday, buoyed after a Maui Chamber of Commerce sponsored workshop, meant to find solutions for an industry faced with going out of business." read more
It appears that the vacation rentals in question on Maui are those in residential areas, outside of hotel/resort districts and not those already deemed to be legal. It is high time that this matter is being seriously addressed. Most of the vacation rentals in question are owned by local residents who have for years, rented out an ohana or bed and breakfast accommodation to supplement limited income.
It seems that the county's current Mayor has taken it into her own hands, to close down those vacation rentals deemed "illegal" without first thoroughly researching the situation. The arguments that she uses for her actions include the so called negative impact of vacation rentals on neighborhoods, and reducing the county's stock of long term vacation rentals. It does not appear that a study has even been done that addressed the first argument, and if is such a negative impact on neighborhoods, why have owners been able to operate short term rentals and bed and breakfasts for up to 40 years with no serious complaints. One owner stated that he tried numerous times to apply for a permit but was turned down by the planning department. Regarding the mayor's second argument, most people who do vacation rentals, would not rent their places out long term because of the wear and tear of this kind of rental on a home, so when she mentions that the stock of long term rentals has been reduced this is false representation, since it was never there to begin with.
Does the mayor not realize how huge the tourism industry is in Maui? There is a real need for vacation rentals so that visitors to this beautiful island can have an affordable vacation. Not everyone can afford the minimum $500 per night in the big hotels. No the hotels don't suffer because that is a different market altogether. They cater more to conventions, corporate accommodations and wealthy people who don't have to worry about saving money on eating in expensive restaurants.
The recommendations that were put forth at the meeting seem to be a good start to putting the vacation rentals in question, back on the Maui accommodation map.
Please leave your comments on this issue. And please do leave a link to your Maui Vacation Rental.
In the meantime try these links if you are going on a Maui vacation and don't want to stay in a hotel.
Maui Kihei Vacation Rental - The Maui Garden House
More Maui Vacation Rentals
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I recently saw this vacation rental delema in Hawaii on another blog. It seems like a great way for locals to use there own property for rentals. If some don't like it they just need to adjust when you live in a resort area.
ReplyDeleteAloha Julie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for speaking up for vacation rental owners on Maui.
It's too bad that longtime Maui rental hosts have to face the current mess and threat to their business.
My belief is that the entire problem was caused by a few B&B owners on Oahu and Maui who did not care about the community (residences) where they were running their rental business and maybe not even paid the taxes on the rental income.
Now, it seems that the majority of Maui rental owners will have to 'pay' for their irresponsibility and lack of consideration.
Which average person can afford a visit to Hawaii staying at one of the expensive beach resorts? Fully equipped vacation rentals all over the world have proved to be an affordable way for family vacations.
Does Maui want to change that?
We hope their is a practical solution in sight to keep Maui rental owners and visitors happy.
Aloha, Pua
Wow wherever money is involved there is bound to be differences. I feel for the locals. Here in Africa there are many whose livelihoods have been affected by commercialization and the tours and safaris industry. Some positively others negatively.
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