Maui County Council Considers New Hotel Zones Amid Vacation Rental Phase-Out
The Maui County Council is deliberating on a proposal to establish two new hotel zones that would permit legal short-term rentals. This initiative follows the passage of Bill 9 last year, which aimed to phase out vacation rentals in apartment districts to increase housing availability for local families. The new legislation, Bill 88, seeks to create designated hotel zones where affected properties could continue short-term rentals legally. The Committee on Housing and Land Use has shown support for the measure, voting 6-to-1 in favor, despite opposition from the Maui, Moloka'i, and Lana'i Planning Commissions. Critics argue that this move contradicts the original intent of Bill 9, which was introduced by Maui Mayor Richard Bissen in 2024. However, Mayor Bissen supports the new zoning, asserting that it aligns with the county's commitment to prioritize local housing while providing a transparent process for reclassifying certain properties. 
