Paddlers planning ahead for Na Wahine o Ke Kai 2008 and Molokai Hoe 2008: Please be aware that Maui County has notified owners of Transient Vacation Rentals (TVRs) on Molokai to cease and desist by January 2008. Unless this issue is resolved, lodging for paddlers may become very limited. Vacation rentals at condos in the Kaluakoi area and Molokai Shores would be illegal. Explore alternative options early, folks! (Possibilities: Hotels, campsites, houses and yards of paddlers who live on Molokai.)
Although the Molokai real estate market is as depressed as the rest of the country, residents at a public hearing of the Molokai Planning Commission vocally testified that TVRs drive up the cost of housing for local residents by reducing the supply of rental housing available for long-term rentals. Hats off to my teammate Dayna Harris who valiantly defended the paddling community by pointing out the positive economic impacts that hundreds of paddlers bring to our shores.
According to the October 28, 2007 issue of the Molokai Times, proposed ordinances that would allow legal TVRs and Bed & Breakfasts have been drafted but not approved. "TVR owners who have not applied to the county for a special use permit are operating illegally and may owe the county a $1,000 initial fine plus a daily fine of $1,000."
"Molokai Planning Commission will not vote on the proposed ordinances until after the public hearing is closed and they feel that sufficient public testimony has been heard. The Maui County Planning Department would prefer that MoPC vote on the issue before the end of the year."
"The portion of the countywide policy plan that affects TVRs was voted on by the commission last week, and included language addressing the issues of identification, registration and enforcement relative to transient vacation rentals in the county. The commission made minor changes to the proposed language and passed their recommendation back to the planning department."
The next meetings of the planning commission will be held Nov. 7 and 14 at 12:30 p.m. at the Mitchell Pau'ole Center.
Stay tuned for further developments.
Submitted by kim.markham on Mon, 10/29/2007 - 9:53pm
Yeah, because it's way more important for paddlers to have a sweet condo the night before the big one than for Moloka'i residents to have affordable housing! Hardly anyone lives there, anyways, right?
#1 Tue, 10/30/2007 - 3:15am
The problem for paddlers is that places like Kaluakoi and the surrounding condos won't rent to paddlers anymore because in years past they would get trashed. A couple of years ago I was making travel arrangements for our crew and was told that there were only 10 units whose owners were willing to rent to paddlers. In addition there would be a fee if the maids had to pick mattresses up off the floor or had any extraordinary cleaning to do. At the larger condos across the street ( I forget the name) there were only 3 units available for the same reason. So if you're having problems getting a room you can thank your paddling predecessors.
One optiion is to take camping gear and camp at Hale o Lono or right on the beach at the Kaluakoi. I did that one year for the relay race and it was.........cheaper.
#2 Tue, 10/30/2007 - 5:53am
a tent on the tee box right by the pool has worked for me. best night of sleep i ever had on molokai... no snoring crew mates
#3 Tue, 10/30/2007 - 7:18am
i agree with jim... they have a legit beef if the condos are driving up prices for the locals... and most of the money that comes from all the paddlers probably go to nonlocal owners anyways... plus paddlers will probably make do with what's available- won't be convenient, but we don't live there.
#4 Tue, 10/30/2007 - 9:24am
Common lady pull your head out of your selfish @#$ . We are just visitors to someone elses home . This is a problem everywere in the state . Yah lets make the property tax go higher then tell the local people you will make $ two days a year off the mens and womans races . Ha ha ha good idea lady . Get a couple of roles of toilet paper your sleeping bag and pull up some sand and be happy .
#5 Tue, 10/30/2007 - 11:19am
cut her a break paddlepimp. before everyone piles on kim, i don't think she was necessarily advocating to support the condos and screw the locals (could be but i didn't read that)... it's a good heads up for us to know if we're making plans- better to know so we can plan ahead.
#6 Tue, 10/30/2007 - 11:35am
Moloka'i Ranch is the best. Not cheap but so nice. They shuttle you around between the airport, Hale 'o Lono for rigging and for race morning. Food is great and the beds are comfy. It is like glorified camping (open ceiling showers and some bugs) but it is really nice and relaxing...no worries.
Mikala
#7 Tue, 10/30/2007 - 12:51pm
I believe the same issue is being discussed in Kailua / Lanikai on Oahu. Obviously its creating a problem in all parts of Hawaii that have large number of tourists. I can see it from both sides. As with most things, many shades of gray and not a lot of black or white.
#8 Tue, 10/30/2007 - 2:39pm
I'm from Molokai and can give you the 411. The owners of the rentals are non locals and are people who have just moved to Molokai from the Mainland. Whoever are blessed to stay with a local family notice they don't live in a condo at Kaluakoi, Paniolo Hale (across the golf course), or Ke Nani Kai. The local families live all over the island (probably closer to Kaunakakai Town) and are not in the Kaluakoi area because its owned by Molokai Ranch and real estate prices are in the millions and the obigation of paying fees. Its people who just moved to Molokai or who have resided for a few years that are grumbling about the other people who just moved from the mainland renting out their condos or houses on the westside.
Paddlers do bring lots of business to some of the local businesses, such as local markets, car rentals, restaurants, escort boats, and The Lodge.
But all in all, its people with money grumbling about other people with money trying to make a little more money renting their third, fourth, or even fifth vacation home!
Whats going to drive up property tax is Molokai Ranch selling million dollar one acre lots (120 of them) on La'au Point, yes the last piece of undeveloped, pristine Molokai that we all paddle pass during the Na Wahine and Molokai Hoe. In a few years while paddling the Hoe or Na Wahine La'au Point is going to look like Na Pili over on Maui.
Respect Molokai and their people for it is one of the last of old Hawaii and one of the last places where the spirit of true "Aloha" is still practiced.
Carlton Helm
save la'au point.
#9 Tue, 10/30/2007 - 10:53pm