If you want to visit Hawaii and “stay with the locals” – you better pack your bags for 90 days.
A new law in Hawaii aimed to stop tourists from “taking over residential areas” in Oahu has decreed tourists must stay for a minimum of 90 days should they wish to stay in a residential area.
After hearing the news, many locals and small business owners expressed outrage over the new law – and just wait until you hear about the disastrous consequences.
To start – living in Hawaii is expensive.
The pandemic crushed the Hawaiian economy, and people are desperately still trying to recover.
Some counted on renting out a room or an apartment on AirBnB as an extra way to make a little cash – but Hawaiian politicians shut that down – giving all the business to hotels instead.
Naturally, many locals expressed their dissent.
Hawaii News Now reported:
“Gloria Wong testified against the measure, saying it favors hotels. She’s also a resident and teacher.
“Be fair to us owners as well,” Wong said. “We just choose to have our own little business, make a little money.”
With the 90-day minimum, prospective renters are worried about affordable trips to Hawaii.
The World Surf League doesn’t know where they’ll put surfers and judges.
“We need international judges around the world,” said Robin Erb, regional director for WSL. “So 90 days is simply unworkable for our surfers and our workers.”
While short-term rentals are still okay in resort areas like Waikiki and Turtle Bay – residential areas are a no-go – unless you can commit to staying for 3 months.
The new law is set to go into effect October 23, 2022.
So much for luring tourists back.
I mean who really has the time (or resources) to vacation for 90 days?
Not most people.
And even worse – the law doesn’t allow any exceptions – even for those needing temporary housing like healthcare workers or first responders helping out with natural disasters.
The Points Guy reported:
“Since the onset of the pandemic, health care professionals, first responders and even patients have required temporary accommodations, and have turned to our platform to help meet this need,” Toral Patel, Airbnb’s policy manager, said on April 13 in a letter to the city council shared with TPG.
“Similarly, disaster relief workers and displaced residents relied on our platform for medium-term accommodations in the wake of natural disasters, including the 2018 Kilauea volcano eruption on the Big Island, during which Airbnb Hosts opened their homes free of charge for these individuals.”
But of course – Hawaiian politicians don’t play out the unintended consequences of their latest mandate.
As many states are begging tourists to come back – Hawaii enacts more policies to keep tourists away.
Not too long ago, Maui County mayor Michael Victorino was trying to use his position to convince airlines to stop bringing travelers to Hawaii to curb overcrowding.
If Hawaiian politicians aren’t careful – their once vibrant and thriving economy is going to be annihilated under the weight of unreasonable laws and mandates.
What are your thoughts on the new law?
Do you think travelers should be required to stay a minimum of 90 days in order to visit Hawaii?
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