Owners and managers press to add properties, cite historic transient use and rebuild needs

Owners representing a range of condo associations and small inns asked the HLU committee to include their properties in Resolutions 26‑129 or 26‑130, presenting documentary, tax and vote evidence to support inclusion.

Several speakers emphasized original development documents and long histories of transient use: Daniel Holtz read declarations showing Waiahouli Beach Holly was expressly intended for transient accommodation, and other AOAOs submitted SLRXA analyses and parcel histories to argue for consistent council application of the stated 3.2‑foot SLRXA criterion. Volker Yong told the committee his AOAO conducted an owner ballot with a 93.4% vote authorizing rezoning pursuit.

Rory Frank, speaking for MacKay Sunset Inn (Resolution 26‑130), said the property historically paid hotel/TBR tax classifications and that after the recent Lahaina fire the family owners say long‑term rental rebuilding would not be financially viable; he asked the committee to preserve the property’s ability to operate as visitor accommodation as part of post‑fire recovery.

Members repeatedly asked for documentation (tax records, reserve studies, engineering reports) and were careful to distinguish the committee’s vote to refer a rezoning from later permitting decisions (shoreline setback/SMA) that would govern any rebuild or seawall work.