Future of Maui Short Term Vacation Rentals

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