Maui is in a heated debate over Bill 9, which aims to phase out more than 6,000 transient vacation rentals (TVRs) to alleviate the housing crisis worsened by the Lahaina wildfire. Introduced by Mayor Richard Bissen, the bill targets TVRs in apartment-zoned areas built before 1989. It has faced delays due to various procedural hurdles. If enacted, the number of vacation rentals would significantly decrease, provoking mixed reactions from residents, survivors, advocates, and real estate agents, as the community weighs housing needs against economic impacts.
"We are not here to divide our community. We are here to preserve our community," said Mayor Richard Bissen during a presentation at the top of the meeting.
This month, over 200 people signed up to provide public testimony before the Maui County Council's Housing and Land Use Committee. The committee is hoping to wrap up listening to testimony on June 23.
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