Latest news with #RichardBissen
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Owners claim Maui residents can't afford converted vacation rentals, UH study says otherwise
Owners and managers of Maui short-term vacation rentals have argued during two days of public hearings that local residents cannot afford the rent if 6, 100 units are converted into long-term housing, as proposed by Mayor Richard Bissen. Residents who also testified before the Maui County Council last week in support of Bill 9 repeatedly have called the claim offensive. An economic analysis by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization backs up the residents' testimony. The analysis shows that over 11, 600 Maui households—or 21 % of all households on the island—already use 30 % of their incomes to pay for housing and could afford to move into converted units because the owners would see their tax rate fall to Maui County's lowest rate as the value of their homes continues to drop. The pool of Maui residents already paying even more of their incomes for housing is even greater. An additional 15, 500 Maui households use 30 % to 50 % of their incomes toward housing, according to the UHERO analysis, and they also could afford to rent converted vacation rentals, meaning long-term housing for a total of over 27, 100 Maui households. Matt Jachowski, one of Bissen's executive assistants, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 'Many of our households already spend that range of money on housing.' Some '27 % of all renters in the county are already cost-burdened, ' Jachowski said. 'So it's obtainable.' The Maui County Council's Housing and Land Use Committee will have to vet the competing claims when it resumes hearings all day Monday and again Tuesday night. All nine members of the Council serve on the committee, so the committee vote on Bill 9 will provide a strong indicator of how the full Council will act on the measure. If approved, Bill 9 would take effect in West Maui by July 1, 2028. The units in question represent less than half of Maui's estimated 13, 000 legal short-term vacation rentals, and Bissen previously told the Star-Advertiser that tourists remain welcome on Maui. Bissen said he wants to free up housing for local residents and bring better balance to the proportion of vacation rentals on Maui, which has more short-term vacation rentals than even Oahu. On Maui, temporary vacation rentals make up 21 % of the housing inventory. 'Maui is this complete outlier in how many TVRs we have, ' said Jachowski, noting the figure is only 3 % for London, which has the highest percentage of housing dedicated to transient vacation rentals compared to Los Angeles, Boston and Barcelona. UHERO ALSO reported that the total monthly cost of housing for Maui residents to move into a converted short-term vacation rental also would fall, from $5, 829 to $4, 601, because of declining property values and taxes. Maui County witnessed eight consecutive years of increased condo sales prices, from $402, 000 in 2016 to $900, 500 in 2024. But prices dropped for the first time since 2016 after Bissen introduced Bill 9. In the first five months of 2025, the average sales price has fallen from $900, 500 to $760, 000. Several owners of short-term rentals and their property managers have testified that no one wants to buy on Maui since Bill 9 was introduced, especially potential out-of-state investors who would be barred from renting them to tourists for their vacations. Owners' monthly cost for a vacation rental, including mortgage, insurance, association fees and other expenses, were running at $5, 800 per month, Jachowski said. Now, with Bill 9 on the table, the costs have fallen to $4, 601 per month, putting the lower price within reach of the 27, 100 Maui residents who already pay that much, he said. UHERO looked at other cities that now restrict 1 % of their short-term vacation rentals and found that housing prices and rents fell by 4 % in Los Angeles and London and by lesser amounts in Barcelona and Boston. Bill 9 would 'revert ' all apartment district properties to long-term residential use and remove the exception for transient vacation rental units built or approved before 1989. For Maui residents who can afford to buy one of the converted units, the tax rates would plummet from $12.50 per $1, 000 of value to just $5 for an owner-occupied unit, Jachowski said. BISSEN spokesperson Laksmi Abraham acknowledged UHERO's expectation of job losses in Maui's short-term vacation rental industry but said there will still be a need for workers in the nearly 9, 000 remaining vacation rentals, including plumbers, electricians and others to work on the units that convert to long-term housing. Short-term rentals average only 53 % occupancy annually, and Abraham said those that remain for tourists 'will see an uptick in their occupancy and they're still going to need somebody to manage a lot of these units. There will be impact, but the transition won't be as drastic as UHERO paints it to be.' At the same time, Ja chow ski noted that UHERO said that as the 'affordability of housing improves, housing costs are also going down, and that's important.' Maui short-term vacation rental owners and their property managers also have repeatedly argued that local residents do not want to live in their one-and two-bedroom units—a claim residents also called offensive. Data compiled in the aftermath of the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire that destroyed 3, 500 homes in Lahaina backs up local renters. Many of them have scrambled over the last two years to find and afford increasingly expensive long-term housing. Before the disaster, many survivors were living in large multigenerational homes that were destroyed. Since then, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement had the highest demand for one-and two-bedroom units as individual, smaller family units that used to live in multigenerational homes searched for housing for themselves, Jachowski said. 'The data clearly shows we have a lot of households that are smaller and could benefit from smaller homes, ' he said. IN 2024, Gov. Josh Green signed Senate Bill 2919 into law clarifying that each county has the authority to determine what to do with transient vacation rentals as the state faced an ongoing shortage of 50, 000 homes. Bissen was the first to respond with Bill 9. Bissen and Green have repeatedly said Maui and the state cannot build their way out of the lack of housing. To them, converting vacation rentals into long-term housing represents the most logical path forward. State Rep. Luke Evslin (D, Wailua-Lihue ), who chairs the House Committee on Housing, has been working on ideas ahead of the next legislative session to create more housing but said the counties now control the future of their own short-term vacation rentals. 'We've done all we can do on the short-term vacation issue, ' Evslin said. 'At this point, it's up to them.' Several members of the Honolulu City Council's Housing, Homelessness and Parks Committee did not respond to Star-Advertiser requests for comment on what they might do about converting Oahu's short-term vacation rentals. Matt Weyer, who serves on the housing committee, said he's more interested in cracking down on the estimated 118 to 120 illegal short-term rental units in his district, especially in residential and rural areas around Turtle Bay Resort. Weyer's Council district stretches across the North Shore down to the upper Windward side and as far south as Mililani. In the North Shore alone, Weyer said, there are about 262 legal short-term rentals, and he has not heard an outcry from residents to convert them into long-term housing. 'I wouldn't say phasing them out would solve the problems we're facing, ' he said. 'We're looking at how we can best target illegal vacation rentals … by enforcing the existing laws. That's the struggle. We want to ensure that folks that are doing it illegally are doing it legally. That really creates the biggest impact.' U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, whose district includes rural Oahu and the neighbor islands, said that converting Maui's 6, 100 short-term vacation rentals into long-term housing might help the island's housing shortage and stem the exodus of local residents to the mainland. 'We've got to do something, ' Tokuda said. 'It's going to require some bold, pretty bold action to keep people here and to free up available units for local families. If not, they're going to keep leaving.'
16-06-2025
- Climate
Fast-moving brush fire in Hawaii's Maui County evacuates at least 105 homes, no structures burned
A fast-moving brush fire has forced the evacuation of over 100 homes on the Hawaii island of Maui, about 60 miles from the scene of a devastating fire two years ago that killed more than 100 people in the tourist community of Lahaina. The fire that started Sunday is on the opposite side of the island, in a sparsely populated area with land set aside for Native Hawaiians Here's what we know about the fire so far: The Kahikinui brush fire grew to 500 acres (202 hectares) on Sunday night, the County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety said. Authorities conducted door-to-door evacuations and part of a highway was closed. No injuries or structural damage had been reported. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and Mayor Richard Bissen signed Emergency Proclamations that activate the Hawaii National Guard to deploy resources as needed to aid in fire suppression and protect public safety, and authorizing the county to access federal assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure. The American Red Cross opened a shelter at a high school gymnasium. Compared to the tourism draw of Lahaina, Kahikinui is less populated and developed. It was used for cattle ranching for many years and is a few miles from the Kahikinui State Forest Reserve, a conservation area The Kahikinui Kuleana Homestead Program created 104 lots and homesteaders accepted leases of 10 to 20 acres each as of 2011, according to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. The Kahikinui brush fire is in southeastern Maui, while Lahaina, the site of a massive inferno in 2023, is on the western side of the island, about 60 miles (96.5 kilometers) away. The Lahaina fire, the deadliest in the U.S. in more than a century, killed more than 100 people, destroyed thousands of properties and caused an estimated $5.5 billion in damage. Crews also are battling wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, around the Great Basin, in California and the Rockies. Forecasters with the National Weather Service and federal land managers have warned in recent weeks that fire danger is escalating in many places amid rising daytime temperatures and single-digit humidity levels. The risks won't start to wane — at least in the southwestern U.S. — until the monsoon starts to kick in, bringing much needed rain. In southern New Mexico, a wildfire ballooned to nearly 30 square miles over the weekend in the Gila National Forest. The flames forced the evacuations of homes that dot the mountains north of Silver City, blocked access to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and prompted air quality warnings as smoke drifted north. Campgrounds and access points to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail also were closed. In Oregon, several dozen homes in Wasco County were destroyed by a fire that started last Wednesday. Some evacuations remained in place, but fire managers said Monday that the threat to structures had diminished. So far this year, the nation has seen double the number of fires as last year but the acreage is less, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. More than 2,700 wildland firefighters and support personnel were currently assigned to 15 large wildfires across the country.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Breaking News Live Updates: Death toll rises to 150 in Nigeria's Benue village attack
23:46 (IST) Jun 16 A fast-moving brush fire on the Hawaiian island of Maui has forced the evacuation of over 100 homes since it began on Sunday. The fire, located in the sparsely populated Kahikinui area on the southeastern side of the island—approximately 60 miles from the devastating 2023 Lahaina fire—had grown to about 500 acres by Sunday night. No injuries or structural damage have been reported. Lt Gov Sylvia Luke and Mayor Richard Bissen have signed emergency proclamations, activating the Hawaii National Guard to aid in fire suppression and authorising access to federal assistance. The American Red Cross has opened a shelter. The Kahikinui area, distinct from the heavily touristed Lahaina, features land designated for Native Hawaiians under the Kahikinui Kuleana Homestead Program, which provides homestead lots for self-sufficient living, often on unimproved land. The 2023 Lahaina fire, caused by re-energised downed power lines and exacerbated by severe winds, killed over 100 people. Meanwhile, wildfires continue to burn across the American West, including in the Pacific Northwest, Great Basin, California, and the Rockies. Fire danger is escalating due to rising temperatures and low humidity, with forecasters warning that risks will persist until monsoon rains arrive. In southern New Mexico, a wildfire in the Gila National Forest has expanded to nearly 30 square miles, forcing evacuations and closing access to national monuments and trails. Oregon has also seen dozens of homes destroyed by a fire that started last Wednesday. Despite a double number of fires nationwide compared to last year, the total acreage burned remains less, with over 2,700 firefighters currently deployed.
New York Post
16-06-2025
- Climate
- New York Post
Maui residents evacuated after brush fire scorches 500 acres
Advertisement MAUI COUNTY, Hawaii – More than 100 homes were evacuated in Kahikinui on Hawaii's island of Maui after a wind-driven brush fire quickly spread. The fire reached about 500 acres, according to Maui County officials. No injuries or property damage have been reported. The county said exact fire containment figures have not yet been determined. The Maui County Fire Department said the fire sparked about 10 a.m. local time on Sunday in Kahikinui. 'The fire is currently moving up the mountain, pushed by strong winds,' the Maui County Fire Department said on X. Advertisement The fire was initially reported to be around 20 acres before exploding in size. The fire is moving upslope into challenging terrain, officials said, fueled by high winds. According to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, winds near Kahikinui were gusting around 20 mph with locally higher gusts to nearly 50 mph. About an hour after the fire started, Maui County Emergency Management (MEMA) issued an emergency evacuation order for mile marker 24 in Kahikinui. The evacuations included 30 to 40 homes, according to MEMA. 3 More than 100 homes were evacuated in Kahikinui on Hawaii's island of Maui after a wind-driven brush fire quickly spread. FoxWeather Advertisement 3 The fire reached about 500 acres, according to Maui County officials. HawaiiNewsNow 3 'The fire is currently moving up the mountain, pushed by strong winds,' the Maui County Fire Department said on X. HawaiiNewsNow Residents were notified through the new Genasys Protect App and MEMA Alerts, as emergency officials went door to door. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen signed an Emergency Proclamation to free up federal funds for any potential impacts. Maui Police also shut down Pi'ilani Highway (Hawaii Route 31) from mile marker 20 to 41 due to the firefight. Advertisement The American Red Cross set up a temporary evacuation point at Grandma's Coffee House on Kula Highway in Ulupalakua. Less than two years ago, Maui County experienced the deadliest fire in modern U.S. history and Hawaii's worst natural catastrophe when wind-whipped fires swept through communities, including Lahaina, destroying everything in their path and claiming at least 102 lives in the coastal town.
Hamilton Spectator
16-06-2025
- Climate
- Hamilton Spectator
Fast-moving brush fire in Hawaii's Maui County evacuates at least 105 homes, no structures burned
HONOLULU (AP) — Firefighters have evacuated at least 105 homes in Hawaii's Maui County following a fast-moving brush fire fueled by strong winds, fire officials said. The Kahikinui brush fire grew to 500 acres (202 hectares) on Sunday night, the County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety said. Authorities conducted door-to-door evacuations and part of a highway was closed. No injuries or structural damage had been reported. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and Mayor Richard Bissen signed Emergency Proclamations that activate the Hawaii National Guard to deploy resources as need to aid in fire suppression and protect public safety, and authorizing the county to access federal assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure. The American Red Cross opened a shelter at a high school gymnasium. The Kahikinui brush fire is in East Maui, while Lahaina, the site of a massive inferno in 2023, is on the western side of the island, about 60 miles (96.5 kilometers). The Lahaina fire, the deadliest in the U.S. in more than a century, killed more than 100 people, destroyed thousands of properties and causded an estimated $5.5 billion in damage. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
