The Maui Vacation Rental Assocation provides information about current issues regarding single family Transient Vacation Rental homes (TVR) and Bed & Breakfast homes (B&B) on the island of Maui, as well as information about the benefits they bring to Maui.  MVRA is a non-profit trade association made up of property owners, rental booking agencies and members of the business community.  Since 2001, MVRA has been working diligently with County government, the local community, and property owners to establish fair and effective regulations and licensing for vacation rentals. 

MAUI VACATION RENTAL ASSOCIATION
POSITION STATEMENT
Approved 2/8/08
  

The Maui Vacation Rental Association believes that Vacation Rentals play an important role in a healthy economy and diversified tourism.
 
Vacation Rentals are acknowledged all over the world as an alternative to resort and hotel type of accommodations.
 
Home owners have an opportunity to participate directly in and benefit from tourism.
 
The Maui Vacation Rental Association believes that this industry needs a fair regulation and license process in order to control proliferation and problems caused by poorly managed establishments and to preserve the character of neighborhoods.
 
The Maui Vacation Rental Association will continue to work in good faith with government and the public to find middle ground and establish new laws, to benefit the community as a whole.
 
MVRA distinguishes the following types of vacation rentals in the county of Maui:
 
B&B
Short-term rental of rooms or an entire dwelling where the owner or lessee/manager is living on the same parcel as visitors.
 
TVR
Short-term rental properties with an on-island manager.
 
Both of these categories are a vital component of the island’s visitor industry and provisions must be made for the existence of both of these types of accommodations in all zoning areas of Maui.

 

---

The proposed ordinance would simplify the permit process for a very limited number of B&Bs, and allow B&Bs in Rural zoning. Despite these improvements, the main effect of the legislation would be to eliminate most existing visitor homes by disqualifying them for permits. The bills, which were supposed to make it easier for families to open a B&B, actually make it harder -- or impossible -- in most areas of the County.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PROPOSED BILLS

Kapalua area Resort Map
Kaanapali area Resort Map
Makena area Resort Map
Wailea area Resort Map

Read the Planning Department's Report and Recommendations on the proposed TVR bills.  Within this report the Planning Department presents their analysis of the issues, and the reasoning involved in the design of the proposed ordinance.   Select "Plannign Department Report" on the next page.  This is a large file.  Please be patient while it loads.

Read the MVRA's position statement on the proposed ordinance. 

---

The June 28 editorial in the Maui News clarifies the Hotel Industry position on vacation rentals.   To quote Maui Hotel & Lodging Association Executive Director Carol Reimann:  "Our organization feels that Maui County’s strength as a top tourism destination depends upon our ability to provide a diverse mix of choices for our various visitor markets. Transient vacation rentals and bed-and-breakfasts, in addition to hotels and resort condominiums, time shares, add diversity to our island’s mix of visitor accommodations appealing to a wide range of visitor types from business travelers to family vacationers and repeat guests."

The Maui Vacation Rental Association agrees... diversity is good for Maui's visitor industry.
 

---

 

On April 14th, Council Member Michael Victorino proposed a resolution, which would provide some temporary relief for TVR/B&B operators. Unfortunately Council Chair, Riki Hokama, referred the matter to the Planning Committee which is not scheduled to meet again until early June, when the new ordinance is due to be discussed again.   To get out of this political quagmire, Council Member Victorino will have to have the overwhelming support from A SUPERMAJORITY OF OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WOULD BE WILLING TO support moving the resolution BACK to the General Council Meeting agenda.    If this is important to you, we strongly encourage you to contact the Maui County Council Members by phone, fax, letter or email.
Read Council Member Victorino's Press Release

Why do some Council Members insist that vacation rentals are not wanted by the community, and have no benefit?  These positions are NOT based on facts.  The facts are outlined in the following three documents:

1.  Public Opinion Survey (click here to read)
The Maui Realtors Association commissioned SMS Research to prepare a public opinion survey.  This survey showed 60% in favor of this industry, 20% against and 20% undecided.  It's interesting to note that in 2002 the County of Maui commissioned a public opinion survey by the same company, and the results were almost identical.

2.  Economic Impact Study (click here to read)
The 2008 Economic Impact Study shows that this industry brings in up to $300 million per year, and employs around 3000 local residents.  Money brought in by our industry stays right here on the island, trickling through our island economy again and again. 

3.  Kauaian Institute TVR study
Completed in 2005, the Kauaian Institute published an exhaustive 24 page report on Vacation Rentals in Maui showing that there are 800 Vacation Rental houses.

---

Big turn out of community support for the MVRA
at the October 9th Planning Commission meeting.  Click here for more photos.

---

More than 3800 petitions were hand delivered to the County Planning Department on October 5th.  MVRA Operations Manager, Jonelle Littleton (right), delivered this huge stack of petitions . These petitions urge fair vacation rental regulation and oppose unreasonable policies.  

 

Local residents have shown overwhelming support for vacation rentals by signing these petitions.  Encourage your family, friends, employees, supporting businesses and even visitors to show their support by signing the MVRA petition or email them this link:  http://mvra.net/index.php?section=87

 

---

Before the mayoral election, families with home-based visitor accommodations were relieved to hear reassuring words from Council Member Charmaine Tavares. She said: 'we're not about to bring the hammer down and shut everybody down…
   But after her election as Mayor, the message changed. Now she says 'the law is the law', and 'I don't have much sympathy for those people.' As a concerned community member, it is important for you to read the NEW ENFORMCMENT POLICY signed by Mayor Tavares and Planning Director Hunt on July 2, 2007.  And read the Mayor's new view point:  "...threat to traditional Maui" 

---