Mayor Harry Kim on Friday issued an eighth emergency rule that will permit most businesses and activities on Hawaii Island — including short-term vacation rentals — to reopen Monday.
The reopenings, however, are subject to state and county safety protocols and physical distancing requirements.
The action comes days after a group of transient vacation rental owners on four islands threatened a $1 billion lawsuit if they were not allowed to reopen.
Vacation rental owners on Hawaii Island have expressed their displeasure about what they perceive as unequal treatment, the West Hawaii today reported this week.
Many owners just last year went through a time-consuming and expensive registration process to be certified as vacation rentals, only to find their investments eroding because of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent ban on their use for all but essential personnel.
Some neighbors to short-term vacation rentals, however, have been equally vocal, saying they worry about travelers using them during the 14-day quarantine period and mingling in the community, thus creating a health risk.
In a phone interview Friday afternoon, Kim said the reopening of short-term vacation rentals was rejected in the beginning of the outbreak because it would be difficult to monitor the whereabouts of those renting the facilities.
But because of the low number of COVID-19 cases on the Big Island and in Hawaii, Kim said the decision was made to allow the rentals to operate.
Although a mandatory two-week quarantine for interisland travelers will lift on Tuesday, Kim said anyone traveling from outside Hawaii will still be required to abide by state quarantine mandates.
Emergency Rule No. 8 also increases the number of people allowed at gatherings.
According to the rule, indoor gatherings of groups up to 10 are allowed with a maximum of 50 people, and outdoor gatherings of groups up to 10 are permitted with a maximum of 100 people.
Under the new rule, the use of county Parks and Recreation pavilions and picnic tables also can resume.
Bars, night clubs, public swimming pools, large indoor and outdoor venues and road races remain closed.
Kim said the COVID-19 situation will be monitored and decisions, “based on what is happening” with the outbreak, will be made for the safety of Hawaii and its people.
Email Stephanie Salmons at ssalmons@hawaiitribune-herald.com.