Letters for May 2, 2015 Vacation rentals could help build affordable housing In reference to the recent cease and desist orders from the planning department, this B&B owner would like to offer some thoughts. To be honest, this much deferred
Letters for May 2, 2015
Vacation rentals could help build affordable housing
In reference to the recent cease and desist orders from the planning department, this B&B owner would like to offer some thoughts. To be honest, this much deferred issue has been neglected too long. The planning department is not the “sole rascal” in this issue: past councils and mayors are part of the problem as are we owners. Kauai has a huge problem to correct. Not wishing to deal with blame, nor the past, let’s move forward with solvable suggestions.
Definitions first: TVR. A TVR is not a B&B or a homestay (HS). They are two different animals.
A TVR is a complete house whose owners do not live in the facility while the guests are renting the house on a short-term basis.
B&B/HS have owners living in the house while the guests are renting a room or guest cottage and owners monitor the behavior of guests. Results: our B&B/HS has never had a complaint from neighbors in over 20 years of service.
FACT: Kauai has a big “affordable housing problem” for both present and future generations. It takes money to correct this situation. Shutting down revenue generating B&B/HS facilities will not help that “dollar need.”
SOLUTION: Allow B&B/HS to get back to work with certification; permits; monitoring guarantees; and a new Kauai only “Affordable Homes Fund” surcharge per booking of 1.584 percent, to which every B&B/HS and separate TVR participant will contribute. Said funds will be used solely for building affordable homes for our youth. Surcharge funds can be released by a citizens board void of government involvement.
Let’s put behind us the concept that government agencies and the public cannot work side by side to resolve this negative, and in some cases, devastating situation. While both parties work together, all B&B/HS will file permitting papers; pay annual renewal fees; guarantee monitoring positive guest behavior with penalties if not enforced; and sufficient off street parking. That’s a beginning.
Let’s work together and do a professional job; but let us get back to work producing revenues and tax dollars! Public’s thoughts?
Lorna and John Hoff
Lawai
Septic systems aren’t superior to cesspools
The Garden Island (April 30) recently posted an article highlighting the death of Kauai’s coral reefs. The article mentioned that phosphorus and nitrogen were possible causes of the proliferation of black band coral disease and the decay of Kauai’s coral reefs. The article mentioned that cesspools are a primary source of pollution.
It should be noted that phosphorus and nitrogen are water soluble, therefore the thought that septic systems are superior to cesspools in regards to stopping these nutrients from reaching the ocean is erroneous. Once the soil in a septic system’s tile field is saturated, the nutrient laden plume will flow to the ocean. Septic systems that are installed in areas that have a high water table (Hanalei) do nothing to prevent a quick release of phosphorus into the rivers and ocean.
Sewage treatment plants can remove phosphorus from their effluent by using one of three different processes. The addition of alum or ferric chloride to the aeration tanks are two possible means. The addition of lime after the wastewater has passed the aeration tanks is a third possible method. If the sewage treatment plants are not doing one of these three processes, the phosphorus laden effluent will be dumped into the ocean.
David Giuliano
Princeville
Go back to original bill
Cannabis is so safe that infants can use it and anyone over the age of 18 can grow it.
Honestly, your HB321 HD1 SB2 is a pile of bureaucratic kukai. Who is going to drive from the other side of the island to buy cannabis from your dispensary, for an exorbitant price, when it is a weed that anyone can grow? And, if you take away the right to have a caregiver of your choice, you are discriminating, plain and simple!
I would like to reiterate that you cannot tax the product to death, because none will be able to afford it, and it promotes a black market. Unless that is your trip, which I can see now, because the way this bill is written, only the largest of the big Mainland growers, dispensaries, pharmaceutical or tobacco companies would be able to afford compliance.
This is not a bill for the people, it’s a bill for the police and prosecutors office. Revert back to the original HB321 with no amendments. And, if you feel so compassionate toward the sick cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, you can include the “edibles” from your SB682.
Sara Steiner
Pahoa, Hawaii
