Hawaii Governor Josh Green announced in his recent State of the State address that 10,000 vacation rentals could be transformed into long-term housing. However, this claim is contentious and lacks solid legal and planning backing.
Currently, Maui is the only island actively phasing out vacation rentals, primarily through Measure 9, which aims to convert some vacation rentals into long-term housing. This law potentially targets around 6,208 units but may fall short of the governor’s goal. Recent moves by Maui’s County Legislature could exempt many of these units from conversion, reducing the potential number to about 1,500.
Complications arise from lawsuits challenging the legality of Measure 9, which could halt conversions entirely. No other Hawaiian islands have implemented similar measures to address vacation rentals, leaving a significant gap that could require thousands more units.
For travelers, most vacation rentals remain unaffected, with over 12,500 legal options available on Maui. The potential changes will unfold slowly, influenced by local decisions and ongoing legal debates, impacting the vacation rental landscape considerably over the coming years. While the governor’s vision may reflect an ideal future, actual results depend on complex legal and legislative processes.
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