Challenge the ruling
Circuit Court Judge Wendy DeWeese’s order overturning Hawaii County’s prohibition of short-term vacation rentals in agricultural districts must be challenged to the fullest.
Short-term vacation rentals are simply a business that is the equivalent of a resort or hotel providing lodging for visitors or transients.
We applaud the State Land Use Commission for their unanimous decision supporting Hawaii County’s short-term vacation rental ordinance. On Nov. 29, 2018, this ordinance passed the Hawaii County Council, and was signed by the mayor of Hawaii County.
The very strong statements made by Chairman Johnathan Scheuer of the State Land Use Commission are so welcomed and to the point. This is not only for protecting the agricultural lands of this state, but also the principles of zoning and with that, the lifestyles of people who call Hawaii home.
The counties of Kauai, Maui and Oahu all, with ordinances governing vacation rentals, are trying to resolve the problems of the thousands of illegal vacation rentals in each county. This problem as we know is now on Hawaii Island.
In developing the short-term vacation rental ordinance for Hawaii County, the focus was on balancing the interest of residents, property owners, businesses, visitors and the laws of the land.
The major objectives were to control, monitor, enforce laws and, most important, where vacation rentals are appropriate and where they were not. The short-term vacation rental ordinance, until overruled by Judge DeWeese, accomplished this objective.
Aloha to our State Land Use Commission for your understanding in trying to keep Hawaii Island a nice place to live, a nice place to do business, and a nice place to visit.
Thank you for reading this and for any support you can give the State Land Use Commission on this issue.
Harry Kim
Former Hawaii County mayor
What about Bush?
While watching the (Jan. 6 committee) proceedings, I wondered why George W. Bush was not giving testimony.
He proved that it is possible to
throw an election the other way even in the face of an overwhelming popular vote.
Our Constitution’s separation of powers should have prevented the Supreme Court from ruling the way it did. The court does not choose the president.
I was disappointed that the committee did not subpoena “W.”
Brian Daniel
Volcano
