Maui Mayor Richard Bissen wasted no time with his bill to quickly phase out thousands of short-term vacation rentals. I’m anxious to hear his vision of how Maui residents can afford to rent or purchase one of these properties.

The mayor’s proposed rental conversion bill will bring years of costly litigation with an uncertain outcome. It provides no swift or affordable result for the housing that Maui desperately needs today.

Would it not be more appropriate for the mayor to employ his efforts to other possibilities? Why not build mobile home parks?

This could be a win-win for all. Tourists could have vacation rentals, the government would get all their tax vacation income, and our Maui businesses would have employees who could find affordable housing.

Plus, it would give our ohana improved mental health with some financial breathing room, allowing them to save money for their future dream home.

Phil Winter

Kihei

In the spirit of this season, take a moment to count your blessings. Recent times might’ve been tough — politically, economically or otherwise — but surely there are positives.

Here’s your chance to reflect on what you appreciate. Today through Dec. 9, we’ll be accepting “Count Your Blessings” letters (150 words max) or essays (500-600 words). A collection of these will run in mid-December.

Email to letters@staradvertiser.com; or send to 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Bldg. 2, room 200, Honolulu 96813, c/o Letters.

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