KYMBERLY MARCOS PINE
HONOLULU CITY COUNCILMEMBER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Councilmember Pine Proposes Illegal Vacation Rental Pilot Enforcement Program
HONOLULU – In the wake of HB2605 (regulating illegal vacation rentals) dying at the State Legislature last week, Councilmember Kymberly Marcos Pine hosted a hearing on City action to curb illegal vacation rentals today in the Council’s Committee on Zoning and Housing. During the hearing, the Department of Planning and Permitting presented a preliminary plan to enhance regulation and curb illegal rentals, efforts that are working in conjunction with Zoning & Housing Chair Pine’s proposal in Bill 15, CD1 – Executive Operating Budget to allocate $100,000 for a pilot program to enforce restrictions on illegal transient vacation units. Additionally, Pine proposes $400,000 to be used to hire contract employees for immediate enforcement of Transient Vacation Units lacking a nonconforming use certificate.
“Families throughout O’ahu are wrestling with issues related to illegal transient vacation rental units in our neighborhoods. This is why it is critical that the Department receives the proper funding, resources and staffing to effectively address the problem,” said Councilmember Kymberly Marcos Pine.
In today’s Committee on Zoning & Housing, the City’s Department of Planning & Permitting delivered a report to the Council on Administration efforts to reign in the thousands of illegal vacation units on O’ahu. Many of the recommendations in today’s report originated in four Council-initiated proposals adopted by the Committee on Zoning and Housing in November 2017 (Resolution 17-52, Resolution 17-163, Resolution 17-164, Resolution 17-301) aimed at strengthening enforcement and regulations of transient vacation units and bed-and-breakfast establishments.
During the meeting, DPP’s recommended enforcement strategy against illegal vacation units dovetailed with Councilmember Pine’s proposal for the City’s FY2019 Operating Budget (detailed above), and could serve to eradicate illegal operations while providing a reasonable opportunity for local residents (DPP Presentation Attached).
“Today, the DPP presented a great compilation of Councilmembers’ proposals, and signaled support for a pilot enhanced enforcement program I am proposing. As we go through the public process and gather community feedback, I am confident that our Zoning & Housing committee will be able to work together to finalize a lasting solution. My hope is that as we proceed, we find an area of compromise where in the end we’re committed to helping local people live in Hawai’i.” said Councilmember Kymberly Marcos Pine.
Councilmember Pine represents residents of District One (’Ewa, ’Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Honokai Hale, Ko Olina, Nanakuli, Maili, Wai’anae, Makaha, Keaau, Makua).
- END –
