New Sky Ala Moana project moves ahead with affordable and market-priced units
Hawaiʻi needs 65,000 more units of housing by 2025 to meet demand, the bulk of which must be for households making $75,000 or less.
Kauaʻi residents receive enticing letters to list homes as short-term vacation rentals
Last week, residents from Waimea to Hanalei reported receiving form letters from VRBO, looking for homeowners who want to cash in by listing their properties as short-term vacation rentals.
Affordable Hawaiʻi starts with housing
While the official poverty average from 2015–2017 makes Hawaiʻi look like an economic paradise, the supplemental measure puts Hawaiʻi at the 10th-highest rate.
Planning commission rejects short-term rental regulations
The Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice supports the effort to regulate short-term rentals, but opposes this measure.
Update on state's homelessness plans
A $766 million investment over a decade could house the 1,700 chronically homeless individuals across Hawaiʻi and save the state $2 billion in healthcare costs.
Hawaiʻi sues for info on Airbnb owners who aren't paying taxes
The state is taking action to crack down on vacation rental owners who aren't paying taxes.
New Kakaʻako affordable housing rules set
The rules include a 10-year wait period for buyback, while affordable housing advocates had wanted at least 30 years.
Maui renters need to work 123 hours a week to afford 2-bedroom apartment
Hawaiʻi has the highest “housing wage” in the country, at $36.13 per hour, according to a new national report released today, or over $75,000 per year.
National hotel group wants Hawaiʻi to tax, regulate short-term rental sites like hotels
No matter the outcome, this is a topic that affects thousands. The Hawaiʻi Appleseed report found that one out of every 24 housing units in the state is now a vacation rental.
Report: vacation rentals’ impact on Maui
A report by Hawaiʻi Appleseed finds that vacation rental units put pressure on Hawaiʻi’s already-stressed housing market by driving up rents and taking away housing units.
Oʻahu residents are likely to see their rent go up
The increase is triggered by the U.S. Department of Housing, which raised the limits for affordable housing. It does mean more people will qualify for it. But it comes at a higher price.
Here’s how vacation rental companies like Airbnb actually affect Hawaiʻi locals
While we do see some economic benefit from spending by tourists who rent these homes, the cost to our economy and residents is often greater.
Caldwell calls for legalization and regulation of transient accommodations
Catherine Cruz talks with Hawaiʻi Appleseed's Madison DeLuca about the growing concern over the loss of affordable housing inventory to vacation rentals.
Mayor’s vacation rental plan gets cool reception
The proposal offers no increased enforcement and is focused instead on collecting more tax revenue by increasing the number of vacation rentals.
Proliferation of vacation rentals burdens renters, communities
We need to invigorate efforts to enforce our laws. We should simplify enforcement by creating a presumption that owners who advertise units without a permit are, in fact, operating illegally.
People in Hawaiʻi are fed up with vacation rentals
Hawaiʻi residents are blaming popular vacation rental sites like Airbnb for the state's housing shortage and for disrupting their neighborhoods.
Agreement on affordable housing
Oʻahu developers will no longer be able to buy their way out of providing affordable housing, because of a bill passed by the Honolulu City Council.
How short-term rentals impact home inventory
The proliferation of short-term rentals in Hawaii is impacting both the traditional rental market and the availability of affordable housing units.
New Honolulu housing bill seeks the middle ground
The City Council passed a measure Wednesday that includes concessions to both housing advocates and developers.
Affordable-housing bill poised for final Council vote today
Developers would no longer be able to pay “in-lieu” fees under a new affordable-housing policy that’s scheduled for a final Honolulu City Council vote today.