Mayor Michael Victorino vetoed Bill 148 (2021) Draft 1 today. The measure would establish a moratorium on new transient accommodations in all zoning districts on Maui.  The moratorium will be in place until legislation implementing appropriate recommendations presented by a council-established temporary investigative group establishes a transient accommodation limit categorized by type and by community plan area, or two years from its effective date. 

“If we don’t provide the right type of visitor accommodations in the right places, we could see an influx of vacation rentals in our residential neighborhoods.  We’ve already seen this happen with vehicle rentals as residents bridged the gap during the period where rental vehicles were unavailable.  This moratorium will likely worsen our already dire housing crisis by renting to visitors and taking away housing that is needed by our hardworking families.”

The Bill passed second and final reading on December 3, 2021, but not without amendments.  Three amendments were made without advance public notice therefore, the public did not have the opportunity to provide input on the impact of the changes.

“Government is for our people,” Mayor Victorino said. “This action by the Council lacked transparency and openness.  It left members of the public without a voice on the matter.”

“I strongly urge the Council to reconsider passage of this bill, and I ask our residents, the people of Maui County, to call on your councilmembers to protect our neighborhoods, our jobs, and our housing.”