United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Maui taps short-term rentals to ease housing crisis
There could soon be a short-term rentals shortage on Maui for years to come.
Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen is proposing incentives for short-term rental owners to house displaced locals.
Many Laihana residents are still displaced in hotels and other temporary accommodations after the wildfires in the summer.
A proposed bill would exempt tax on short-term vacation rentals, timeshares, and other vacation or second homes.
The mayor wants owners to rent to displaced local residents.
“I believe that a shared sacrifice is necessary at this time,” Bissen said.
“Owners who help our disaster-impacted families by making their units available will receive a tax waiver.“
Those who choose not to can help by contributing more in taxes.”
Housing officials say a rebuilding program will take years to complete.
Owners of properties worth over $1 million and who choose not to rent to long term displaced residents will pay more in property taxes.
If approved, the bill would take effect from January 1, 2024.
There are about 14,000 short-term rentals in Maui County as well as about 3,000 timeshare units.
There was a Hawaii-wide housing shortage even before the wildfire which devastated the town of Laihana.
This has led to rents more than twice the national average.
Most of the homes destroyed in Laihana were affordable housing units.
Related News Stories: Hawaii could ban short-term vacation rentals for good : r/Hawaii Maui mayor: restrict vacation rentals to fix housing shortage | Fortune Hawaii looks to phase-out short term rentals. What would that mean ... Short-term vacation rentals driving up home prices, rents | University ... This Is How The Candidates For Maui Mayor Want To Tackle The ... Congressional subcommittee examines wildfire response Mayor Bissen delivers 2024 State of the County Address; Rent ... Ernestine Siu on LinkedIn: I bought a $54,000 abandoned house in ... Candidate Q&A: Maui County Council Wailuku-Waihee-Waikapu ... Hawai?i Fire Relief Housing Program
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel