tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post1840314281387625718..comments2023-10-17T04:51:08.765-10:00Comments on KauaiEclectic: Musings: Homies Part IIJoan Conrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00172330100788007499noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-91609982539415732782015-04-02T20:21:00.464-10:002015-04-02T20:21:00.464-10:00I'm still laughing thinking about Pono Lokahi&...I'm still laughing thinking about Pono Lokahi's OTHER VOICES piece in today's GI. Pono Lokahi from Poipu? You gotta be kidding ! Whoever submitted this garbage; realtor; illegal TVR owner or crazy person, should run for office. We tax paying dummies really need your intellect and reasoning skills to help us understand PONO's way.<br /> GI. Your standard for selecting Op Ed authors is slipping badly. Give me Walter Lewis, anydayAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-54802573448395144862015-03-28T11:28:11.095-10:002015-03-28T11:28:11.095-10:00The Garden Island headline this morning read;
...The Garden Island headline this morning read; <br /> B&B CRACKDOWN. <br /><br /> From a resident's perspective, thank you Mr. Dahilig and staff for taking this important first step. We'd all but given up hope that there would be any enforcement, ever.<br /><br />While Cease and Desist letters have gone out to 320 owners with more in the offing, residents understand this is just the beginning of what may be a long and contentious process. With the first public hearing on the Homestay Ordinance scheduled for April 14th, the question before island residents is: are we going to participate and share our perspectives about the idea of allowing another commercial use in our neighorhoods or are we going to sit back and let it happen - again.<br /><br /> We recall our County's past efforts to rein in illegal transient vacation rentals outside the VDA. Due in part to a weak response from residents and a strong push from non permitted operators; the result? A wholesale giveaway of non conforming use permits. across the island. Consequently we have 27 TVRs among 58 lots where I live.<br /><br />So as to be clear; we do not object to Homestays located within the Resort and Commercial Zones where such uses belong. Keep them out of where people live. Do not succumb to the notion that it is OK to further dilute the integrity of the Zoning Code by making another exception. However, in case Homestays end up being permitted in neighborhoods, we have forwarded comments asking for a revised ordinance setting strict guidelines numbers, how applications are processed and so forth.<br /><br />sincerely, SamAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11767399303051715413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-73383061790424846632015-03-20T17:20:39.807-10:002015-03-20T17:20:39.807-10:00Today's Star/Advertiser included an article t...Today's Star/Advertiser included an article titled "Short-term rentals via Airbnb rile L.A. market." The byline read; "As housing units go to tourists the area's (housing) shortage gets worse." <br /><br />Read the article, it provides a balanced look at the issue. The Fors say it helps cash strapped owners earn a little extra money. They also say that home stay rentals are of such small number compared to the broader housing market ; that their impact is all but irrelevant. <br /><br />On the other side; Cities like Venice, California , are concerned. In a letter to L.A. officials, the Venice Neighborhood Council estimated that the number of short term rental listings had TRIPLED in a year. A Venice city official cited the "Gold Rush Mentality" among investors looking for a piece of the action." The official was quoted to say, "Short term rentals are really taking over a significant portion of the rental housing market in our community. Its going to further escalate rents and take affordable housing out of Venice."<br /><br />Sound familiar? Is this what we should accept in our residential neighborhoods? I surely hope not.<br /><br />Some say that living in your home without wanting to generate income by doing a TVR , BnB , or Homestay, is passé and out of step with the times. I respectfully disagree with the assertion. My home is where I live, full time, all the time. I have no desire to rent any part of my house to tourists nor to impose on my neighbors. This is what we are (supposedly) guaranteed by the zoning code. If I wanted to live where the "action" is, I would have bought in the Resort area.<br /><br />Best Wishes, Sam LeeAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11767399303051715413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-51395842951353205922015-03-16T21:15:11.042-10:002015-03-16T21:15:11.042-10:00Hello folks who share an interest in the Homesta...Hello folks who share an interest in the Homestay Ordinance. <br /><br /> I've had a chance to speak with several of you, so I know there are concerns out there.<br />A big thank you to Joan for airing the Homestay Ordinance with her Homies Part 11, muse; which included an interview with Planning Director Mike Dahilig, who reportedly said the ordinance is intended to start discussion about how a home stay regulation should look like. Dahilig went on to say, his department is not wedded to the language of the ordinance and is very OPEN to what the community wants, be it a LIMIT on the number of home stays or a out right PROHIBITION. <br />Meanwhile, staff has said, under the county code, a landowner in a residential district is currently able to apply for a home stay permit through the Use Permit process. Therefore a ordinance is necessary to provide structure to the permit issuance process. A little confusing for us layman. Do we have to have an ordinance or don't we?<br /> Taking the Director's statement to heart, our first choice would be to disallow any home stay in the Residential zone. The ordinance provides for home stay in the Commercial and Resort districts, a generous opportunity for those inclined. <br /> Furthermore, we ask that minor and major permits be issued only through the Use Permit Process and that the County set an absolute limit on the number of home stays allowed within any CDP (both minor and major) with the limit (quota) set by the resident population as contained in the ordinance. <br /> Residents of the Poipu CDP have submitted a section by section analysis of the ordinance to the County. So there is more than we have space here to share.<br />Another observation:<br />While having the home stay owner on the premises might solve issues relating to bad behavior and <br />noise, all of the other problems we've experienced with vacation rentals as neighbors remain. Keep home stays out of residential neighborhoods. Put them where they belong ; on Resort and Commercial properties.<br /><br />aloha to you all.<br />sam leeAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11767399303051715413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-70066137797735807032015-03-11T18:36:47.818-10:002015-03-11T18:36:47.818-10:00"If I rented out 2-4 rooms, we'd still ha..."If I rented out 2-4 rooms, we'd still have fewer people crammed into the house than a lot of the locals." <br /><br />Hey new person, here's a thought; You should start a bed and breakfast and put that quote in the brochure!<br />Visitors will feel really safe and secure at your place, because nobody else will want to come near you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-63194888636367741262015-03-11T14:43:37.235-10:002015-03-11T14:43:37.235-10:007:53
yours is exactly the kind of thinking, that...7:53<br /><br />yours is exactly the kind of thinking, that's fucked this island up. its all about me - right? to hell with anyone who doesn't agree. boo hoo for me. gimme a break !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-86456718024455122202015-03-11T08:01:57.069-10:002015-03-11T08:01:57.069-10:00Oh, yes, zoning is so last century. But poverty an...Oh, yes, zoning is so last century. But poverty and high housing prices, which force locals to double up in family homes, is still very much au courant. Just like arrogant newcomers looking down on locals and wanting to do whatever benefits their bottom line.Joan Conrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00172330100788007499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-7989828110449474972015-03-11T07:53:29.428-10:002015-03-11T07:53:29.428-10:00I'm looking to buy a house to live in as I jus...I'm looking to buy a house to live in as I just got a job here. The only way I can afford it is to rent out one or more of the rooms. So you want to tell me it's (going to) be illegal? (I can find no ordinance regulating it today.) And how would it be legal for me to rent long term and not legal for me to rent short term? And how is a rental in a home not considered residential? I'm not letting them run a business out of there. Though in the area I looked I saw neighbors who appeared to run an auto shop out of their garage. That's not residential use--but I'm not one to complain about that as I think zoning is so last century. Boils down to it, you're going to have people renting out rooms, couches, air mattresses, tents--how do you regulate all of that? Last time I checked, the US constitution applies on Hawaii, and you cannot enter my house without a search warrant. Stop complaining about the high cost of living and rent out that empty room yourself on AirBNB. But as long as Kauai is regulation-happy, the officials want to make it hard to make a living here. BTW, I looked at a 5 bedroom house for just me and my wife. If I rent out 2 rooms to 2-4 people, we'd still have fewer people crammed in to the house than a lot of the locals.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-29787754535656119192015-03-08T21:07:40.898-10:002015-03-08T21:07:40.898-10:00Aloha people.
Just learned the Homestay Ordinanc...Aloha people.<br /><br />Just learned the Homestay Ordinance will be heard at a PC public hearing on April 10th. People who live in residential areas should look into this, cuz your neighbor could be a Homestay, Kaaina Hull is the planning staffer in charge. Get a copy of the ordinance, understand it and attend the hearing. <br /><br />thanks, samAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11767399303051715413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-44015604378003389212015-03-05T14:14:16.186-10:002015-03-05T14:14:16.186-10:00So what are U saying 9:16 ?
U do know that the H...So what are U saying 9:16 ? <br /><br />U do know that the HVB doesn't and never did give a damn about anything but bringing more and more tourists to Hawaii? Your conclusion that if the HVB uses beautiful pictures to suck tourists over here, the people who live in these islands have an obligation to turn our communities over to keep the tourists happy is a unbelievable stretch of logic and common sense.<br /><br />If you really believe what you are saying; you need help!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-69227638055508046612015-03-05T09:16:56.003-10:002015-03-05T09:16:56.003-10:00Has anyone ever thought that the original mapping ...Has anyone ever thought that the original mapping of the VDA did not reflect the actual areas that visitors would want to stay? We constantly use images of Hanalei and Heana to promote the visitor industry but then we also want to say it is NOT a visitor destination. Kind of contradicting. You don't see them pushing pictures of Princeville, its always Hanalei Bay. And if they are supposed to sleep in Princeville but come to Hanalei for the day, then we are in real trouble with no parking and poor infrastructure. I think of every tourist that stays in Hanalei and bikes around, is one less car I need to wait for behind the bridge and one more spot so maybe I can find parking at the beach. Because the reality is Hanalei is to expensive for affordable housing, so you might as well have them stay there so there are less cars on the road, between Princeville and Hanalei. If you really understood the visitor that stays in Hanalei, you would see that most come and don't leave Hanalei. The other option is just to have a town filled with empty houses and more cars going up and down the hill, because vacation rental or not, you will never see a explosion of long term rentals in Hanalei. It just not gonna happen.<br /><br />And if your talking about controlling the amount of visitors on Kauai, then that is for another discussion with the Dept of Transportation and the amount of flights that come and go on a daily basis. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-15767052312602992582015-03-05T07:50:57.658-10:002015-03-05T07:50:57.658-10:00Thanks for the words 12:55.
I agree, its unlik...Thanks for the words 12:55. <br /><br /> I agree, its unlikely we can ever go all the way back. Like I said in my neighborhood post, no one fussed when there were just a few illegals. When 5 become 27, we realized it wasn't going to stop, so at that point it was get involved or get dusted . I and my neighbors aren't anti TVR, providing they occur in the proper location and that is within the expansive area zoned Visitor Destination Area (VDA). What we are against is the further infiltrations of TVRs, B&B, or Homesatys, into residential neighborhoods where they don't belong. Speaking about Kailua and Lanikai, this is exactly why owner occupants there are in an uproar. There is plenty of room for many more TVRs on the South Shore. I would guess that among the 1000-2000 visitor units already approved , many will be condos and second homes which will become (legal) TVRs of one sort or another. Area wise, nearly all of the coast is already in VDA, save for our small tract and Weliweli, so its not like there's a short supply of area for the TVRers to do their thing. All we ask is that a little area be left for people who live here.<br /><br />aloha, samAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11767399303051715413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-82585846202814415352015-03-05T05:22:48.726-10:002015-03-05T05:22:48.726-10:00Therein lies the crux of this problem, and so many...Therein lies the crux of this problem, and so many others -- people who don't care whether their actions are right, or how they affect others, but only that they benefit their own personal bottom line. And then they justify it by saying, but everyone else is doing it, so what can we do? <br />Joan Conrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00172330100788007499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-1880026877297336262015-03-05T00:55:16.873-10:002015-03-05T00:55:16.873-10:00I was thinking the exact same thing. We stayed in ...I was thinking the exact same thing. We stayed in a Air BnB place in Portland, within an apartment complex that apparently had rules against it, unbeknownst to us. As we walked into the main entrance, there was a letter by the building manager to the residents, saying that they had "heard" people were using AirBnB to rent out room s and that it was a blatant violation. Did it stop us from staying there? No, because at $95/night it was at least half off. I know in Maui I saw numerous residential homes and the one we ultimately stayed at was a "cash preferred" place. Hmmmmmm??? It is a problem for sure, and I feel bad for you and your family Sam. But, if anyone has ever ventured to Kailua-Lani Kai area on Oahu, it is much the same there. Now how do we go from how it is now, to how it used to be? Impossible, we can't. Like we've done for generations, we must adapt. Not be come sheep, but adapt. Keep fighting and informing the masses Sam. There will be nay-sayers and name callers (see above), but everyones brave behind their keyboard/computer screens and anonymity. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-29405984546821859522015-03-04T22:10:47.652-10:002015-03-04T22:10:47.652-10:004:52: Mahalo for your heartfelt words.
You called...4:52: Mahalo for your heartfelt words.<br />You called it like you see it.<br />Like a lot of us see it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-45790055198413826642015-03-04T16:52:47.618-10:002015-03-04T16:52:47.618-10:00I love the comment that says you cant force people...I love the comment that says you cant force people to stay in hotels and resorts, they want to stay in neighborhoods so quit whining. Precious just precious.<br /><br />But its OK to force our people off the island, into public housing that doesn't exist or isn't affordable, or onto the streets while waiting for a housing voucher, which they cannot use because it is LEGAL for people to discriminate against them.<br /><br />But it should be legal for people to come here buy a house and charge ten grand a week to stay there.<br /><br />Because you cannot force people to stay in hotels and resorts. In a tourist destination.<br /><br />Wow talk about super flawed logic and brain cells. Bravo, to whomever you are. Basically, in a nutshell, you suck. Sorry I could not think of another adjective. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-21980744956981308042015-03-04T08:22:42.766-10:002015-03-04T08:22:42.766-10:00You are very eloquent Sam, please keep speaking ou...You are very eloquent Sam, please keep speaking out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-53927840741524235232015-03-03T20:00:15.511-10:002015-03-03T20:00:15.511-10:00May I share what happened in our 58 lot neighborho...May I share what happened in our 58 lot neighborhood? <br /><br />To encourage rebuilding after Iniki, the County relaxed permitting and building codes. With minimal oversight, repairs and new construction took off. Small scale and under then radar at first, a few owners began short term rentals. Seeing the opportunity, others joined in until the the number of TVRs (none of whom had approval to operate in a R zone) reached 27. The County stepped in and grandfathered all 27 giving them non conforming use permits. For the benefit of the residents who were blown away by the County's decision, they said, there would no more TVR permits allowed in the residential zone. But, before the dust settled over the 27 permit giveaway, Planners attempted a zone change specific to the neighborhood,: which if passed would allow unlimited TVR activity. The change is being contested at this writing. With that issue yet unresolved, Planners now propose Homestays. To put it mildly , we are reeling under the constant pressure to compromise Residentially zoned land; not only on the South Shore, but all across the island.<br /><br /> Please understand we are not telling this story to gain sympathy or to prove we're right. This is a recitation of what happened and explains why we say and act as we do. Its one perspective colored by a unique set of circumstances. Keep sharing people, it gives us a look at different points of view and helps us understand why you think the way you do.<br /><br />best wishes, sam,Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11767399303051715413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-74971450083452167672015-03-03T15:15:44.032-10:002015-03-03T15:15:44.032-10:00Does anyone have a link to the Saturday Night Live...Does anyone have a link to the Saturday Night Live "Hawaiian Hotel" skit? That pretty much says it all in 4 minutes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-80460731233115367172015-03-03T10:30:46.267-10:002015-03-03T10:30:46.267-10:00I hate to say it because I like a lot of what Joan...I hate to say it because I like a lot of what Joan writes, but "bullying". Joan, you're just getting a dose of your own medicine. As if bullying were a bad tactic against the opposition. Both logic and enmity appear in this blog and neither side of the arguments here are void of it. But carry on! This blog seems to be the only forum for good discussions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-10668276418106899432015-03-03T10:23:27.569-10:002015-03-03T10:23:27.569-10:00That's right 9:27 AM. Are we to say that all ...That's right 9:27 AM. Are we to say that all humans are criminals since a few of them are? But, unless I'm wrong, Joan doesn't go after the TVR's legally permitted and in compliance with all State & County regs. except for maybe those in flood zones which is curious that she seems to be concerned about tourists getting flooded out and not local folks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-71907481821888719692015-03-03T10:17:55.478-10:002015-03-03T10:17:55.478-10:00Wrong again! If it is not illegal, it is legal. ...Wrong again! If it is not illegal, it is legal. Prove me wrong.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-75610070920522625132015-03-03T09:51:34.738-10:002015-03-03T09:51:34.738-10:00Boy, that was quite a hate-filled bullying spew. P...Boy, that was quite a hate-filled bullying spew. Project much? And filled with misinformation and misrepresentations of both my views and motives. No wonder you remain Anonymous! It would be most embrassing to put your name on that!Joan Conrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00172330100788007499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-13118053032045105392015-03-03T09:27:34.217-10:002015-03-03T09:27:34.217-10:00Ms. Conrow keeps claiming that anyone who received...Ms. Conrow keeps claiming that anyone who received a Transient Accommodation Rental permit from the County of Kauai was somehow rewarded for bad behavior. She seems to think that they were conducting illegal activity, then received a permit to continue on after an ordinance was passed. This is simply not true. The County did pass an ordinance banning TVRs in residential zones without a permit. Before the ordinance was passed, the TVRs were NOT ILLEGAL. These TVRs were conducting perfectly legal activities. Let me give an example: Before the county ordinance was passed that banned plastic bags, were we all conducting illegal activities by using them? Certainly not! Now that the ordinance is in place, and a few places are still allowed to use plastic bags, such as the farmer’s market, is the farmer’s market being rewarded for so called “bad behavior”? Absolutely not! The TVRs with permits were not and still are NOT ILLEGAL. <br /><br />Let’s all keep a level head here. Ms. Conrow is using alarmist rhetoric in order to obtain followers for her blog which in turn makes her money. Many TVRs are owned by local families trying to hold on to their property in hard economic times. They are not the bad guys here. Ms. Conrow keeps implying that all TVRs are evil just because some have other problems. It looks to me like those problems would exist regardless of whether or not the home is a TVR. I can’t help but wonder why there is so much hatred on this blog? Ms. Conrow pretends to be a watchdog for our community when in truth she is being a bully. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-86872467453066572982015-03-03T09:14:50.864-10:002015-03-03T09:14:50.864-10:00The running of many TVR's may not be that prof...The running of many TVR's may not be that profitable, but their resale value is more than substantially higher.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com