Mayor’s vacation rental plan gets cool reception

Victor Geminani, co-executive director for the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice, said Caldwell’s proposal offers nothing in terms of increased enforcement and seems more focused on collecting more tax revenue for city coffers—by increasing the number of vacation rentals—than helping the island’s affordable-housing crunch.

His organization won’t support legislation that places no limit on the number of B&Bs, as Caldwell’s plan proposes, because they only contribute to the housing shortage, he said. “Any B&Bs that are created are going to be taking away from affordable housing opportunities for individuals.”

Geminiani said he also wants to ensure that whatever bill is passed will include language shifting the burden of proof in illegal advertising to the operators, which would be similar to the language in the recent bill allowing for Accessory Dwelling Units.