Hawaii
Hawaii Judge Allows Short-Term Rentals Up to 90 Days To Operate Legally
Skift Take
The injunction specifically benefits existing home rental owners. It allows them to continue renting their properties for fewer than 90 days
Despite a 2022 ordinance making short-term rentals illegal in Hawaii, a district court judge ruled that existing short-term rentals can continue their operations and advertising of rentals for stays of 30 to 89 days.
Ordinance 22-7, which passed in October 2022, redefined a “short-term” and made rentals from 30 to 89 days illegal and subject to fines, Courthouse News reported. The Hawaii Legal Short-Term Rental Alliance challenged the ordinance, claiming it violated property owners longstanding rights and would lead to financial losses.
30-Day Minimum
This permanent injunction means that those rentals that were grandfathered-in can operate under the 30-day minimum rule. The judge said the ordinance conflicted with state zoning laws and ruled that it cannot eliminate existing lawful residential uses within zoned areas.
The new ruling, however, doesn’t apply to any short-term rentals that opened after the ordinance was put in place.
The City Council originally passed the ordinance to address the perceived adverse impact of short-term rentals, often owned by out-of-state landlords, on housing costs and local life.
Short-Term Rental Conversions
Meanwhile, Hawaii Governor Josh Green urged homeowners to convert 3,000 short-term rental condos and homes into long-term housing for those displaced by the summer’s Lahaina wildfire. In December, Green mentioned the possibility of using post-emergency orders if the conversion isn’t voluntary by mid-January.
Over 6,000 residents are still in hotels due to housing shortages. The Federal Emergency Management Agency planned to offer rent subsidies to short-term rental operators who provide units for about 2,000 families.
And in November, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen proposed tax incentives to encourage the transformation of short-term rentals into long-term housing, potentially saving property owners an estimated $17,775 each for the year 2024.
Hawaii
Hearings set for men charged in attempted murder case – Hawaii Tribune-Herald
Hawaii
4,000 troops lose air conditioning in Hawaii
Mechanical problems with a water treatment plant in Hawaii have left thousands of soldiers without central air conditioning in the barracks, a spokesman for U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii confirmed Tuesday in a statement to Military Times.
Four thousand soldiers in Area North Barracks are opening windows, turning on fans or using other tools to beat the heat while the base grapples with pump issues.
On July 10, deep-well pumps supporting Army installations in central and northern Oahu started experiencing problems.
According to the garrison, only one pump is currently pushing water to the surface. To maintain essential water services, water chiller systems have been turned off. Without the chiller systems — which make up almost 40% of the daily water use — the barracks do not receive central air conditioning. The incident was initially reported by Task & Purpose.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures for the remainder of the week range from the mid-70s to the upper-80s.
Units are able to move troops to MWR facilities with central air conditioning, according to the service, but as of Sunday, no units had done so.
Repairs are underway, but an exact timeline for when the pumps will be fully functional again was not provided.
The cause of the issues has not been definitively identified, however “age and extreme heat due to ventilation system repairs are believed to be part of the cause,” said Nathan Wilkes, the garrison’s external communications chief.
The installation is prioritizing keeping safe drinking water available.
Barracks and residential housing have access to drinkable water, and plumbing and sanitation systems are operational. Wilkes also said the installation has paused irrigation systems pulling from Area North water supply.
Family housing still has air conditioning and water access, Wilkes added.
The garrison’s commander, Col. Rachel Sullivan, was scheduled to host a town hall on the installation’s Facebook page on Tuesday.
Eve Sampson is a reporter and former Army officer. She has covered conflict across the world, writing for The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Associated Press.
Hawaii
Hilo woman killed in Kona traffic crash – West Hawaii Today
A 21-year-old Hilo woman died as the result of a three-vehicle traffic collision Sunday night on Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona.
Officers responded to a 9:28 p.m. report of a head-on collision near the north end of Kahaluu Beach Park.
Their preliminary investigation determined that the woman, Hinanui T. Starr-Boyle, was driving a gray 2012 Toyota Tacoma northbound at a high-rate of speed for the area.
While passing another northbound vehicle in a no-passing zone, the Tacoma crossed into the southbound lane and collided head-on with a silver 2010 Nissan Frontier pickup truck driven by a 20-year-old Holualoa man.
Following the initial collision, the Nissan Frontier continued onto the makai shoulder of the roadway, where it struck a parked tan Ford Econoline van.
Starr-Boyle was pronounced dead at 10:17 p.m. at Kona Community Hospital. Her passenger, a 25-year-old Hilo man, and the driver of the Nissan were admitted to KCH. Both were listed in stable condition.
The driver of the Nissan was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
None of the people involved in the collision were wearing seat belts, and speed and impairment are believed to be contributing factors in the crash, police said.
Starr-Boyle’s death is the 18th traffic fatality on Hawaii Island in 2026, compared to 14 at the same time last year.
Potential witnesses or anyone with video camera footage from the area around the time of the crash are asked to contact Officer John Harvey at (808) 326-4646, ext. 3229, or john.harvey@hawaiicounty.gov.
Those who prefer anonymity may contact Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
-
News23 minutes ago
ICE should do traffic stops despite recent shootings, Trump says, seeming to oppose new suspension
-
Los Angeles, Ca2 hours agoSouthern California hits hottest day of its extreme heat warning
-
Detroit, MI2 hours agoSteve Yzerman out as Detroit Red Wings GM, moves to senior advisor role
-
San Francisco, CA3 hours agoSupervisors urge California to expand S.F. speed-camera program
-
Dallas, TX3 hours agoFive teens injured after crashing carjacked vehicle during Dallas police chase
-
Miami, FL3 hours agoTokyo-style Neapolitan pizza is coming to Miami, led by legendary pizzaiolo chef Bun
-
Boston, MA3 hours agoSEE THE GOOD: Roxbury center reminds young adults ‘You got this’ – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News
-
Denver, CO3 hours ago
Five Points affordable housing building honors Dr. Justina Ford | Rocky Mountain PBS