Maui Council Budgets $300,000 To Study Impacts Of Eliminating 7,000 Vacation RentalsN
The proposal aims to increase long-term housing, but critics worry about the economic fallout. Tasha Kama, chair of the County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee, wants a detailed study, funded by $300,000 initially meant for the Maui Food Bank, to explore the impacts.
Proponents argue the need for long-term housing outweighs economic consequences. Critics, like real estate agent Jeremy Stice and economist Paul Brewbaker, warn of job losses and economic damage. Bissen’s proposal, reviewed by planning commissions starting June 25, will be finalized by January. Short-term rentals, a significant tax revenue source, also fund affordable housing.
Opponents doubt the proposal’s effectiveness, citing the unsuitability and high costs of most short-term rentals for long-term housing. Szakacs-Kekona stresses that shutting down these rentals would harm his business and employees, some of whom lost homes in the wildfire.