#jordan ruidas
Overflow crowd shows up for TVR hearing before the Maui Planning Commission
A standing-room-only crowd filled the Maui County Council chambers Tuesday morning to hear the start of debate over Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposed phase-out of approximately 7,000 transient vacation rental units in apartment-zoned districts.
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen announces bill to phase out vacation rentals in apartment districts
Thousands of short-term vacation rental apartments could begin switching to long-term housing for residents as early as July 1, 2025, for West Maui, and Jan. 1, 2026, for the rest of Maui County in a proposed measure announced today by Mayor Richard Bissen.
Lahaina Strong rally and march draws 300 in call for dignified housing for fire survivors in West Maui
Organizers say this reclamation of housing inventory would directly address the pressing need for homes and remedy the housing crisis in the community with 3,000 people still living in the hotels.
Fixes to Hawaiʻi’s Water Commission advance in the House, SB3327 calls for an independent commission
Senate Bill 3327 SD1 HD1 proposes to separate the Water Commission from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to minimize conflicts of interests between the two agencies. The bill would also grant the agency its own authority to declare emergencies, retain independent legal counsel, and levy fines up to $60,000 per violation of the Water Code.
Clean elections legislation introduced by Hawaiʻi lawmakers
The legislation, titled “Related to public financing for candidates for elected office,” is aimed at helping to level the playing field for working class candidates and people of all backgrounds, to create a more fair elections system and help reduce the influence of private money in elections.
