Kailua Neighborhood Board Protests Tourism Authority’s Promotion of Small Town as Alternative to Waikiki

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Kailua's community gets together every year for the "I Love Kailua Town Party"
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Kailua’s community gets together every year for the “I Love Kailua Town Party”

The Kailua Neighborhood Board is protesting the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s decision to advertise the small town community as a tourist destination.

At its meeting of September 5, 2013, the Kailua Neighborhood Board overwhelmingly adopted a resolution asking the HTA to respect the zoning and quality of life of residential neighborhoods and stop promoting Kailua as an alternative to Waikiki.

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The HTA on its web site tells potential visitors that “If you are planning a family vacation or you’re traveling with a large group to Oahu, a Kailua vacation rental can be the perfect solution.…the Kailua area offers a peaceful alternative to lively Waikiki.”

“The Board finds that this is directly contrary to the Honolulu City Council decision in 1989 to phase out short-term rentals in residential areas in order to give protection and relief to impacted communities. It contributes to the City’s problem of enforcement against illegal short-term rentals,” a statement from the Kailua Neighborhood Board said. “The HTA action adds to problems created by short-term rentals of escalating housing prices, and scarce rentals; and affects the safety, social, cultural and environmental character of residential neighborhoods.”

The controversy is just another example of ongoing tension in Kailua between merchants and vacation rental owners who want to attract more tourists, and many residents who want to keep Kailua a small community without large crowds and tourist buses.

 

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26 COMMENTS

  1. I would like to comment on Kailua resident's statement "the HTA to stop promoting Kailua’s “illegal” vacation rental industry" . Let's be clear—- anyone on Oahu can rent a space to anyone else, as long as it is 30 days. The HTA isn't promoting anything illegal simply by saying " rent a house in Kailua". The people against tourist that live in Kailua seem to have a habit of twisting words around to suit their meaning….

    • Yes, let’s be clear… The HTA in its marketing material states "If you’re planning a family vacation or you’re traveling with a large group to Oahu , a Kailua vacation rental can be the perfect solution. Located on Oahu’s lush Windward Coast, the Kailua area offers a peaceful alternative to lively Waikiki". What this HTA fails to do is inform visitors that staying less than 30 days in Kailua’s residential-zoned neighborhoods requires properties to have a "non-conforming use" certificate. The HTA is well aware that over 80% of the vacation rentals in Kailua DO NOT have a "non-conforming use" certificate. They also know that over 95% of all visitors (non-residents) stay less than 30 days in the same lodging accommodations.

      The HTA has both a fiduciary, moral and ethical duty to be telling visitors the zoning laws regarding vacation rentals in residential zoned neighborhoods, advise visitors to not stay in illegal lodging and inform them on how to determine if their accommodations are legitimate. At the moment, they are not doing so and that is the issue!

      Furthermore, the law does not define a transient vacation unit as lodging “rented” for less than 30 days. Transient vacation units are defined as a dwelling unit or lodging unit which is provided for compensation to transient occupants for less than 30 days, other than a bed and breakfast home. So if you provide lodging for less than 30 day occupation, you are operating a transient vacation unit. If you cannot understand the difference, you should consult with legal counsel.

  2. the supreme court? you mean that HTA out of wash.DC that okay'd obamacare? that ruled in favor of bush jr for president back in 2000? and they have actually voted against 1st amendment a few times.

  3. Our economy is dependent on tourism and we need to be astute about how we respond to international competition. As expressed in Waikiki conference, "Fewer and fewer tourists envision a vacation as sitting at end of a hotel room bed, eating pizza, watching TV – the vary thing offered in Waikiki." Transient rentals are a key part of increasing our ability to attract families who spend significant amounts and behave themselves – happy vacationing families "fit" the Hawaiian lifestyle. They support high paying jobs. Government leaders are updating their view on how to cultivate a thriving economy and it includes vacation rentals because so much of the revenue earned from these establishments stays in Hawaii.

    • New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Paris, London, Miami, Dubai, Singapore and numerous other municipalities around the world ban or restrict vacation rentals from “residential” zoning. Just like Oahu, most municipalities allow vacation rentals in “resort” or similar zoning.

      Vacation rentals are visitor lodging businesses and not permanent residences. The City and County of Honolulu is wisely protecting our residential neighborhood’s housing supply for “residential” use. The vacation rental industry is alive and well in resort zoned areas such as Ko Olina, Turtle Bay and Waikiki.

      The vast majority of illegal vacation rentals are owned by out-of-state investors, so the majority of the money leaves the state.

  4. Oahu and Kailua is flourishing because of tourism– lest we forget tourism is THE cornerstone of our islands. The trickle down effect of losing vacation rentals will devastating to everyone. My vacation rentals give jobs to so many, eg: housekeepers, yard people, tree trimmers, handymen, contractors, plumbers, screen shops, pool cleaners and more.

    Because of my rentals, more money is being pumped into our local economy by Kam'aaina. If people start losing jobs and income, restaurants will shut down and there will be no extra local income getting spent into our towns. Goodbye, Whole Foods and many of the flourishing new restaurants.

    I venture to bet that many of the vacation rental properties are in better shape than their counterparts. And I've heard some complaints about how the neighborhoods are filled with extra cars. I, for one, require the tourists park in the garage only. There are no tourist cars on the street. Compare a couple of non-vacation rental homes on my block that have 5-6 cars for each home.

  5. My “residential” home gives jobs to so many, eg: housekeepers, yard people, tree trimmers, handymen, contractors, plumbers, screen shops, pool cleaners and more. In fact, I contribute more to the local economy than any out-of-state owners of “illegal” vacation rentals in Kailua. My family also supports my neighborhood by participating in our neighborhood watch program, paddling and supporting our local canoe club; giving a hand when ever needed to my elderly neighbors, and volunteering at the Kailua library. Out-of-state Illegal vacation rental owners and their guests do not!

  6. As a relatively new homeowner in Kailua, all this "brew-haha" about "vacation rentals" distresses me greatly. I completely concur with the desire for all of us "to just get along." Kailua is a truly sweet spot in the island landscape. Friendly folks in person, a quality community, the world's most beautiful beach – all set in a quiet "small town." My ability to live in this town 6 months a year depends on my ability to earn some of my home payment by renting to vacationers the rest of the year. It is my sincere wish that the City and County of Honolulu will eventually update and repair the process for obtaining permits so my rental could be "legal." It is ludicrous we are considered "outlaws" because of outdated laws perpetuated through political paralysis – this situation has lead to this divisive and intolerant arguing.

  7. I rent to quality people who are responsible, respectful of neighborhood values, and bring income to the community. If they don't behave – they are out and are not allowed back – period. I only employ local long term residents to help me maintain and repair my property, sell me and my tenants groceries, furniture, and other services. We eat in local restaurants, visit the street fairs, buy surfboards from Kikos, purchase clothing, art, kite surfing equipment and training locally, and get our cars gassed and repaired in Kailua. My desire is for those complaining about "newbie's" such as me to stop, look, and really think — if they would they might truly see what we add to this community not just economically but also how we contribute to the fabric of the community through volunteering in schools, beach cleanups, joining in local cultural events, provide improved landscaping, and other local programs that beautiful the community. Let's all strive to see the value in a strong "community" in the truest sense of the word.

  8. I find it repulsive that people like “kailualover” justify their law-breaking (operating an illegal vacation rental) by claiming “it’s the only way they can afford a second (vacation) home”. If you can’t afford a vacation home, don’t buy it and stop you’re crying. We don’t need arrogant out-of-state investors who think they are “improving” Kailua by turning our residential-zone neighborhoods into a vacation home-resort community.
    Do us all a favor, sell your property and move your vacation rental business to a resort community where it belongs.

  9. Aloha Everyone. We bought our new primary residence in Kailua earlier this year after an intensive 8 month search. We revisited Kailua this past Summer after 20-year hiatus. We were hoping to spend a few days here 20 years ago but could not find a place to stay. There was no internet then. Last August we rented a small cottage on Kailua Road for 3 weeks, just to be 5 minutes from the BEACH. This was our first vacation in 10 years. We did our research online and were lucky to find a place that could accommodate all four of us (2 adults, 2 kids). Honestly I didn't know then what I know today, and we obviously spent a good chunk of money for what some call an "illegal vacation rental". Kailua is not cheap, and this really limits the caliber of people who can spend a few days here as tourists. That's all right by me. We found a clean little house, with a well kept yard, and we swore to come back. In fact, we decided to move here because you "only live once". We obviously enjoy this little town, but it really is not an easy place to move to. You really have to want to move here, buy here, and you can pretty much forget about making a living here. Again, that's all right. Kailua is so special that it should command a premium. For over a year now we have been looking a for a place to open a small business, to make this move permanent for all of us ( my family lives in Kailua while I have to stay on the Mainland where I run my business), but no luck yet. We have a unique concept, would be hiring locally, and buying locally, adding to the tax rolls. It's not easy to set up shop in Kailua. It's easy to spend money here, but not to earn a living. It is a fact that getting supplies at affordable prices requires the long weekly trip to Costco, and that local restaurants are not good, yet expensive (we like cooking and eat at home). It is a fact that many older properties look like used car lots, with small collections of rusty vehicles, and piles of junk for all to see in what should be their garages. Why can't that be regulated by the City? It is a fact that public schools are deplorable (our son attends the neighborhood school), with old and run down buildings, dusty playgrounds, and a general lack of resources. Why won't people here invest in the future of their children like we have experienced on the Mainland? Our property taxes are low in Kailua, half of what we had paid on the mainland, where half of what is collected goes to funding public education. It's not fair to local kids and their parents. The "illegal vacation rentals" are not hard to find. Honestly, they tend to be well cared for properties, with well tended yards, and clean driveways. They enhance the neighborhoods. They don't lower property values. We certainly don't intend to rent part of our house, but we would prefer to have an "illegal vacation rental" next door to us, than a long-term local rental where the house is poorly maintained, the yard is not kept, a bunch of loud beat up trucks fill the driveway, piles of boxes and stained sofas occupy the carport space, and an obnoxious pit bull is kept permanently chained up in the backyard. And let's not forget the rodents, roaches, termites, and other such nuisances that these properties propagate. Vacation rentals should be promoted, regulated, taxed, and even encouraged. Owners of such properties should not have to hide their activities, and be made ashamed. Our BEACH is 2.5 miles long and there is enough space there for us all. When a family pays a minimum of $2,000 to rent a house for a week of vacation they usually are looking for a nice high end experience. They usually don't come to trash the place, party all night, and leave a bunch of empty beer cans in the yard. Why should people be forced to experience Hawaii from Waikiki? We don't go there, it's not Hawaii for us. It saddens us. Oh, one more thing. We really need a Target store in town. We'll drive to Hawaii Kai once a week and take our large ice chest with us, but we really need a Target. Mahalo.

  10. It seems to be a common theme for most mainland visitors and transplants to view “local” resident’s homes as being “poorly maintained, yard is not kept, a bunch of loud beat up trucks fill the driveway, piles of boxes and stained sofas occupy the carport space, and an obnoxious pit bull is kept permanently chained up in the backyard. And let's not forget the rodents, roaches, termites, and other such nuisances that these properties propagate”. Do people like Mistral also object to the color of skin of locals?

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