This is a solo episode! I don't want to call it a Notes from the GAD update because I take a deep dive into a couple of issues, but there isn't an interview this week. As to the issues, here are some brief notes and links in case you don't have time to listen:

Maui County STRH Phase-Out Proposal: Here is the link to the Planning Department's presentation from March 6th, and here is a link to the MVRA Facebook page with videos from the meeting. Overall, the meeting was a bit disappointing. The Planning Department did not take public testimony, and the arguments presented were not very well thought out. I give a recap in the episode, but the basic gist is that the meeting not particularly informative.

Maui County Council action on Short Term Rental Homes: This Friday, March 13th, at 9 a.m, there will be a County Council Meeting. One of the agenda items is County Communication 20-194. This item is asking the Council to refer to the Maui and Lanai Planning Commissions a proposed bill to amend the comprehensive zoning ordinance relating to Short Term Rental Home Permits on Mai and Lanai. The proposed bill would amend Maui County Code Chapter 19.65 by drastically lowering the number of available STRH permits in the various community areas. This is not as drastic as the Planning Department's idea to ban Short Term Rental Home permits, but it would certainly keep a lot of operations from becoming compliant, because it would essentially set the cap at the current number of permits. How's that for frustrating the original intent of the ordinance...

SB3110: I've gotten a lot of calls about SB3110 and I completely understand why Realtors are concerned. This bill seeks to prohibit nonresident aliens and businesses, and trusts that are significantly controlled by nonresident aliens, from acquiring certain residential property in the State, except as otherwise provided by law. This bill still has several hurdles to overcome before it becomes law, but I do encourage you all to track this measure and to provide testimony when it gets scheduled for its first committee hearing.

Covid-19: Tonight, March 11, 2020, at 7 p.m., Mayor Michael Victorino will be discussing updates on COVID-19 and answering some frequently asked questions during his Holo I Mua television show airing tonight at 7 p.m. on Akaku Blue Channel 55. Please watch, and please check out some additional guidance for REALTORS that has been provided by NAR. Additionally, if you want to check out some really compelling data related to Covid-19, I highly recommend this article by Tomas Pueyo that was recently posted on Medium.com. My advice: please avoid unnecessary social contact and unnecessary travel, please be cautious not to potentially spread the virus to those who might be particularly vulnerable, and please take this virus seriously. I wish this was a hoax from the main stream media, but it isn't! This virus is having a devastating impact on modernized countries with advanced healthcare systems, it is a very real threat to us all.

Mahalo for listening!

RAM GAD POD - Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura, Upcountry representative and Chair of the Water, Infrastructure, and Transportation Committee

RAM GAD PODBy Jason EconomouFeb 12, 2020