If you live in Honolulu Councilmember Kymberly Pine‘s district (Ewa, Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Makakilo, Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, Ko Olina, Nanakuli, Waianae, Makaha, Keeau, Makua, Maili), we need your help! Call and leave a message for your Councilmember, Kymberly Pine, and tell her to schedule Res. 17-52 for hearing: 768-5001.
Here is a sample script for your message to Councilmember Pine: “Hello, my name is [NAME]. I live in [STREET NAME] and I’m a voter in your district. I’m calling to let you know I’m disappointed in you for NOT scheduling Resolution 17-52 for a hearing. I support better enforcement of vacation rentals because this will protect our affordable housing. As Zoning & Housing Chair, we need you to support 17-52.”
Res. 17-52 would help Honolulu County rein in the growing number of illegal vacation rental operations and protect our affordable housing. Currently, there are an estimated 33,000 homes being used as vacation rentals in the state. On Oahu, there are an estimated 6,789 vacation rentals—the majority of which are illegal. Each month, there have been an average of 399 new vacation rentals listed.
In April, Res. 17-52 was introduced to City Council and heard in the Zoning & Housing Committee, which Councilmember Pine chairs. She committed to us that she would support our efforts and instructed us to work directly with Councilmember Ron Menor and that he would take the lead. We have done as she asked. We have met multiple times with city officials like the Department of Planning & Permitting (DPP) and Councilmember Menor. Yet when Councilmember Menor requested her to schedule the bill again for a hearing, she refused. It’s been 2 months since she heard the bill in her committee and she hasn’t done a thing to indicate she meant what she said.