No impact on market?
“Hawaii’s tight housing market is the result of a “costly, time-consuming, and politically and economically uncertain development process and not short-term Airbnb rentals?”
Hmm.
Airbnb currently shows 3,210 available rentals on the Kona Coast. VRBO shows 300-plus. My estimate is that about 2,000 properties have been converted to vacation rentals in Kona in the past eight to 10 years. Probably just a coincidence, but long-term rents have more than doubled in that same time span.
This allows the county to cry, “we need more affordable housing.” I recall the last affordable housing project approved estimates a one-bedroom at $1,600/month.
Is that affordable? The county (via we the taxpayer) had to kick in more than $17 million in order to get the developer to move forward.
One solution would be to actually have zoning laws that work. Vacation rentals command higher resale value, thus higher tax assessments, thus more revenue for the Hilo side. The Hilo solution is to squeeze agricultural properties for more tax revenue.
I think the solution is not Airbnb being so disingenuous. There is a place for vacation rentals but the system is skewed at present.
Dave Lucas
Holualoa
Enough with Trump bashing
I have sent the paper money for subscriptions for 11 years. I am an independent. I am sick and tired of the bashing of our 45th president. Your paper is so left. Every day is a rude cartoon or article about Mr Trump.
The people have spoken! I may not renew.
Robert S. Jackso
Kealakekua
Learning language right to do
The front page article about encouraging young children to learn and speak the Hawaiian language is a wonderful idea. When exposed to any language from an early age, these students will be able to absorb the Hawaiian language with ease.
As a local person growing up in Kona, we learn some commonly used words from hearing our parents and other locals talking but to string the sounds together to make a coherent sentence wasn’t taught to us. Now as an adult I have to use books and CDs to learn Hawaiian but I think it’s definitely worth learning the language.
Colleen Miyose-Wallis
Kailua-Kona
3 cheers for compromise
Kudos to the Kukuihaele community members who worked so hard to save their park. They persevered even past when it seemed hopeless. Their dedication, combined with Mayor Kim’s timely intervention of sanity and understanding, brought about a compromise which both sides of the issue can live with.
When national politics seem almost impossible to change, it’s encouraging when local activism can make positive change. It helps to keep hope alive. Congratulations Kukuihaele!
Mare Grace
Waimea