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As a realtor on Oahu for nearly 20 years, I have seen the importance of Short Term Rentals (STRs) to our community and economy. Not only do they create jobs and an important income for families like mine, they also offer locals and their families a place to stay in times of need.
My rental unit has improved my ability as a single mother to look after my two sons, one of whom is disabled and needs 24/7 care. I hope that one day he can live semi-independently in one of the units while I am around when he needs help. Unfortunately, the city’s Department of Planning and Licensing (DPP) has proposed regulations that could destroy this critical part of our social fabric and my ability to care for my family.
Throughout my career, I have always preferred my experience with my STR guests. When I rented my property long-term, I had to spend tens of thousands of dollars on tenant damage repairs – too high a cost for any homeowner, let alone a single mother of two.
My short-term tenants respect my property and my neighbors. They’re not here to bother my neighbors or have loud parties – they stay on my property while waiting to close a house, while preparing to sell their home or attend a family member’s graduation. These short-term tenants have very special needs. Your stay is too short for a long-term rental and too long for a hotel. These are my tenants.
I live with my children on the property where my rental apartment is located and their safety and comfort are my top priority. I employ strict quiet times from sunset to sunrise to make sure there are no parties or noise pollution, and I don’t leave unannounced tenants on my property. In addition, I have designated tenant parking spaces on the property and I don’t allow street parking to ensure that nobody interferes with my neighbors’ daily lives. I have wonderful neighbors, and their safety and comfort are second to my children’s.
My tenants are not annoying party-goers who want to exploit our beautiful island; They are local residents, traveling professionals, and inter-island / mainland visitors who are respectful and give back to our community.
For example, at the beginning of the pandemic, I hosted a local doctor and some of her colleagues who were concerned about bringing COVID-19 to their families. It is critical that locals have access to affordable whole home accommodation outside of the expensive tourist spots when working remotely, taking in a family, moving to or from the island, or repairing their homes.
Unfortunately, the regulations proposed by DPP would effectively ban all STRs on Oahu, making it impossible for me to offer affordable accommodation to visitors and locals alike. Not only would this affect my ability to provide for my family, but it would put many small businesses and local workers who depend on STRs out of business or financially under pressure. As we continue on our path of recovery, now is not the time to force travelers who are productive members of our community and economy to stay in expensive vacation areas. We need a real solution to unauthorized STR operations that are damaging the reputations of companies like mine.
Fortunately, Oahu has spent years thinking about the best way to effectively regulate STRs. In 2019 the Honolulu City Council passed Bill 89 to achieve this goal, but it has yet to be fully implemented. Rather than overriding STRs with DPP’s proposal, the city council should work with Bill 89, the law that eliminates improper short-term rentals and enables our community needs to be enforced. STRs have been critical to revitalizing our economies and small businesses. Legally operated, effectively regulated short term rentals belong on Oahu, and I urge the city council to protect their future.
Kelly Lee owns short-term rentals in Oahu and is a member of Oahu’s Short-Term Rental Alliance (OSTRA), which represents more than 1,200 short-term rental providers and service providers.
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