Minatoya list/ Bill 9

Written By Travis Speck

Bill 9 (2025) for Maui County is a controversial piece of legislation aimed at phasing out transient vacation rentals in apartment-zoned districts, with the goal of increasing long-term housing availability for local residents. The bill proposes to revert all apartment district properties to long-term residential use and remove previous exceptions that allowed for legal short-term rentals in structures approved prior to 1989. Motivated in part by Maui’s longstanding housing crisis—made worse by the devastating August 2023 wildfires that destroyed over 5,400 households and displaced about 12,000 residents—the law would phase out vacation rentals in West Maui first (by July 1, 2025 or January 1, 2029 in later versions), then across the rest of the county by 2026 or 2031 depending on amendments and council votes.

The proposed ordinance has sparked significant debate among property owners and stakeholders. Supporters argue it’s a necessary step to address the lack of affordable housing and restore neighborhoods for residents. Critics, including many property owners and economic analysts, warn it could destabilize Maui’s local economy, reduce tourism revenue, and negatively impact condo owners who have operated legal rentals for decades. There is ongoing discussion about providing “carve-outs” for certain time share properties and allowing temporary investigative groups to explore appeals or zoning changes. Legal challenges are likely, with property owners weighing possible lawsuits to contest the bill’s constitutionality and impact on property rights.

Key Government and News Links

Travis Speck
Previous

23’ Fire Victim’s 1st time home owner’s program
Next

Erosion for Oceanfront Properties