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Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said he recently met with a group of property managers who oversee several vacation rentals.

<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/willmcgough/2023/12/16/with-more-than-6000-residents-still-living-in-hotels-on-maui-governor-threatens-to-halt-all-short-term-rentals-in-january/" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.forbes.com/sites/willmcgough/2023/12/16/with-more-tha...</a>

“What the county is seeking is voluntary compliance from the industry to donate the rooms and the homes that we need,” Bissen said last week.

In a statement on Friday, he said he is encouraged by their interest and willingness to find ways to work together.

“The option of declaring a moratorium on short-term rentals while creating more inventory also brings legal challenges and unintended consequences that will impact our county in ways we can anticipate or are yet unknown,” said Bissen in the statement. “Defending legal challenges will divert County funds to defending a decision, so we are carefully considering all options.”

“I’m willing to give my life for my place. I love this place more than anything. So, I know that if I’m still breathing, we’re still winning. So, keep your hopes high,” Kiakona said.

The “fishing for housing” group plans to stay put until they catch exactly what they want for fire survivors. <a href="https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/11/25/despite-giant-swell-lahaina-strong-organizers-remain-relentless-while-fishing-housing/" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/11/25/despite-giant-swell-laha...</a>

Feelings are mixed over Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposal to offer a property tax exemption for short-term rental owners to rent long term to wildfire survivors.

Bissen submitted a bill to the Maui County Council this week that would amend a section of the County Code to immediately exempt short-term rentals from real property taxes when renting to displaced residents. If approved by the council it is set to go into effect Jan. 1.

Bissen added that he also plans to propose an increase in property taxes for all short-term vacation rentals, timeshare units and non-owner-occupied properties assessed over $1 million that do not participate in the program. The county estimated that there are currently 2,500 to 3,000 timeshare units, 12,000 to 14,000 non-owner-occupied homes and 12,000 to 14,000 short-term rentals.