No exemptions to Bill 89 should be given to Kuilima Estates or parts of Waikiki that are not presently in resort districts (“Crackdown could hurt tourism,” Star-Advertiser, Aug. 1).

I wish that Bill 89 had never passed. However, now that it is law, it would be grossly unfair to homeowners and another sellout to the hotel industry if Mayor Kirk Caldwell and the City Council choose to shield only hotel and resort owners from their obligation to provide affordable housing in non-resort areas as intended by Bill 89.

Bill 89 will force the many middle- class Oahu homeowners who depend on short-term vacation rental income to convert their units to long-term housing. They will absorb a substantial financial loss while shouldering the burden of providing affordable housing to Oahu’s low-wage workforce.

The hotel and resort industry was instrumental in creating and reaping enormous profits from the sweat of this low-wage workforce. Now it is pono that the hotel and resort owners be forced to shoulder their fair share of the financial burden of providing long-term affordable housing for this workforce, even if it results in loss of income.

Jane Bargiel

Kailua

Click here to read more Letters to the Editor.