Vacation rentals debate can be resolved amicably

In 1989, the door opened for a limited time to non-conforming use certificates (NUCs) on vacation rentals.

That was more than 25 years ago.

We have lost on an average of 40 NUCs every renewal cycle.

We started in 1989 with 2,235 transient vacation units (TVUs) and 141 bed-and-breakfasts (B&Bs).

Today there are less than half of the original NUCs remaining a recent count showed 810 TVUs and 48 B&Bs.

Meanwhile, recent data from the Internet site "Vacation Rentals by Owner" (VRBO) shows a total of 2,852 TVUs and B&Bs on Oahu, including in Waikiki and the rentals that still hold NUCs.

This makes TVUs and B&Bs less than 1 percent of the housing market, according to a recent census.

Stepping up enforcement only allows for many bogus complaints, hearings where complaints are dismissed and the waste of taxpayers’ money. In addition, it splits our communities even more.

Reasonable rules and certificates would serve both sides, and our city Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) could go back to taking care of more important assignments that have been put on the shelf.

Reasonable rules and a form of permitting would help curb complaints and help us coexist.

If a rental owner did not comply, we would all agree the owner should not have a permit.

We want to be part of the solution process and take into consideration both sides.

This is an islandwide issue. Small businesses benefit from the short-term rentals in all the communities where they are located. Both owners of short-term rentals and retail business-es live all over this island.

We generate jobs in our communities that allow locals to stay independent and gives them the flexibility to stay close to home to take care of elders, small children, help at school, be home when children get out of school, etc.

In Kailua, about 5,000 people vote in that community’s neighborhood board election, but there are more than 21,000 possible votes. The majority have not spoken against vacation rentals.

The results from a poll conducted by Ward Research in 2012 showed a majority of those on Oahu who were interviewed were not against permitting TVUs and B&Bs.

Both TVUs and B&Bs must be included in the process in order to stop the battles in our communities. Any type of rental left behind would only allow for more community-splintering.

This small cottage industry helps the majority of owners to stay in their own homes, hire local service personnel and support our local businesses.

Since the majority of complaints that DPP investigates are purely on the grounds that a TVU or B&B is illegal, the department’s workload would decrease tremendously.

Let’s take this opportunity to go forward. It will be hard work and it is a challenge, but we can do it.

Let us meet the challenge together. Let’s resolve this issue once and for all. Remove the ban against transient vacation rental units and bed-and-breakfast homes, and put into place a system of reasonable rules and regulations.

It comes down to fairness whether you rent to someone for 29 days or 30 days, both rental owners should be treated equally.