KAILUA-KONA — As the number of evacuated residents in Puna mounts due to the increased activity of Kilauea Volcano, so does the need for helping hands and open doors.
KAILUA-KONA — As the number of evacuated residents in Puna mounts due to the increased activity of Kilauea Volcano, so does the need for helping hands and open doors.
Reacting to that reality, Airbnb announced Tuesday afternoon it would extend its Disaster Response Program islandwide, which implores Hawaii Island hosts to offer their listings free of charge to displaced residents and visiting relief workers through the end of May.
Formerly, the online vacation rental giant had focused its outreach efforts to hosts living in the more immediate areas of the Puna District and Hilo, where most victims and relief workers would presumably wish to stay, explained Shane Peters, president of Peters Communications, which handles public relations for Airbnb throughout Hawaii.
“We want to ensure those who are affected and need shelter are aware of the program and the expanded areas of activation, as well as spread the word to those who have the capability to open their homes,” read a press release the company issued Tuesday afternoon.
“Airbnb is encouraging hosts across Hawaii Island to consider opening their (doors) and providing free temporary accommodations to those in need if they have the capacity to do so,” the release continued.
Because of an existing relationship with the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, a subdivision of the state Department of Defense, Airbnb had secured space in 16 listings and housed more than 40 relief workers through its outreach before officially announcing the implementation of the Disaster Response Program last week, Peters said.
He couldn’t provide participation numbers as of press time Tuesday but said the level of inquiry in the program had spiked enough over the previous days to indicate that an islandwide initiative was warranted.
Those interested in participating can do so by visiting https://www.airbnb.com/welcome/evacuees/bigisland or clicking here.
“Reacting to that reality, Airbnb announced Tuesday afternoon it would extend its Disaster Response Program islandwide, which implores Hawaii Island hosts to offer their listings free of charge to displaced residents and visiting relief workers through the end of May” , this is so generous of Airbnb!!
No it’s not. The big corporation is asking homeowners to offer their homes free. Is Air BNB reimbursing the homeowners for electricity? Air BNB isn’t putting a single dollar of their own money into this? NO. They are just putting their name out there. They aren’t sacrificing anything.
Sorry you don’t know me and didn’t recognize the sarcasm!!
A small price to pay for the inconvenience of my AirB&B neighbor’s guest rental cars that partially block my driveway, because he uses the only parking spot in front of his own house.
People who do Airbnb – need the income. I also don’t like crowded roads, but people have to live on something. Meanwhile they county builds a luxurious office for the county prosecutors.
Create more disaster news – so that tourist won’t come. You guys are great.
Air BNB isn’t putting a single dollar of their own money towards this. They are asking the homeowners to sacrifice. How about reimbursing these homeowners something? Air BNB is a big corporation and not even a penny.
Not ideal for hosts making money but tell us which other existing platform or business or government could organize a response of their scale?
Question in my mind is if they are waiving host and guest service fees for discounted rental rates, which would be more
of a give. And, If full donation, is that tax deductible?
To previous commentators, yes, AirBnb could theoretically contribute some small reimbursement because they are a big company and that is the stereotype, but the public does not know what their financial numbers look like or how many disasters around the world they assist with. They aren’t making any money on this either, and their tool IS a powerful platform to connect available housing with people who need it — in volume. They are also extending their insurance coverage to hosts, which is helpful..