HTA quotes show how unknown short-term problem is
Ross Birch, executive director, Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau, asserts on the front page of West Hawaii Today on May 5 that tourism is not adversely affected by all of the publicity about volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. He speculates that “the only tourism that would be affected is anyone that would be staying in that specific location.” Then he points out there are no hotels in the area and that, because there is no country registry of short-term rentals, the Visitors Bureau “is unaware of how many exist, where they might be located or if any guests are currently residing in such units throughout the area.”
This offers yet another strong argument for enforcing the regulations of short-term rentals that are already in place. Obviously, they need to be licensed, monitored, and taxed appropriately. Until the county can make that happen, it should not be considering adding layers of regulation to the short-term-rental industry. When/if they can make that happen, then — and only then — should we be having discussions as to how to regulate them further in order to meet with fairness the needs and concerns of guests, neighbors, owners and managers.
After all, short-term rentals have to advertise — how hard would it be to track down those who are operating illegally? The county needs to follow the lead of the state and take added regulations of short-term rentals off the table for now.
Kerrill Kephart
Kamuela