Hawaiʻi County seeks community input about impacts of short-term rentals

Big Island residents can now have even more of a direct say in Hawaiʻi County’s analysis of the impacts of short-term rentals.

The county asks residents to complete an online short-term rentals survey.

Results of the survey will support an economic impact study Hawaiʻi County Department of Research and Development is conducting on short-term rentals as required by Hawaiʻi County Council Resolution 556, which was adopted last year.

“Gathering input is essential as we look at the economic and community impacts of short-term rentals,” said Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda. “We encourage residents to take a few minutes to complete this survey so that we can make informed and balanced decisions.”

The survey takes about 5 minutes to complete. Survey responses are anonymous; contact information will not be used for any other purpose.

To take the survey, click here.

There is proposed county legislation that would establish a registration process for hosted transient vacation rentals — or short-term vacation rentals — and hosting platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo on the Big Island.

The legislation’s intent is to provide a clearer understanding of the scale and presence of short-term vacation rentals on the island and ensure all are operating within legal guidelines.

A draft is available for public review.

Hosting platforms and hosted transient vacation rentals, including their operational status, are the exclusive focus of the proposed registration legislation.

It does not include any changes to operational standards, land use regulation or regulatory enforcement measures.

Unhosted short-term vacation rentals already are registered with the county and would not be subject to the proposed initial registration process, but would be subject to annual renewal.

Feedback from community and Hawai‘i County Council members about previous efforts to address these types of rentals is the basis for the proposed registration rule.

It also builds on the council’s adoption in July 2024 of Resolution 556, tasking Hawai‘i County Department of Research and Development to conduct an economic impact analysis of vacation rentals on Hawai‘i Island.