Home Hotels Citing overtourism issues, Maui lawmakers name for short-term moratorium on new accommodations

Citing overtourism issues, Maui lawmakers name for short-term moratorium on new accommodations

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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – As visitors return to Maui, some district council members are calling for a moratorium on new hotels to prevent over-tourism to popular destinations.

“We already have too many tourists on our island. We have to find a way to stop the madness, ”said Kelly King, councilor for Maui County.

King’s Bill would temporarily block the construction of new visitor accommodation in south and west Maui – the island’s two most populous tourist areas.

She and other members said the island is already experiencing tourism well beyond what was envisaged in the sustainable tourism county plan.

“The maximum number of tourists that should be on our island at any given time is 33%, which means one tourist for every three inhabitants. So where we are right now is well above this 33%. We’re closer to 45%, ”said King.

The proposed moratorium will run for a maximum of two years, or if the community plans are approved, whichever comes first. Both areas are currently in the community plan review process.

King said the current West Maui parish plan does not allow additional visitor accommodation unless it is provided with an equal number of affordable housing units.

She said the South Maui ward plan is in its infancy.

Councilor Keani Rawlins-Fernandez said she would seek an even broader moratorium across the island.

“So that we can take smarter actions to manage tourism for the quality of life of our residents,” said Rawlins-Fernandez. “We just experienced overtourism and this pandemic gave us an opportunity to see what it was and what we gave up.”

Critics of the bill said it was difficult to predict what a moratorium would mean for the island’s economy, adding that it would cost jobs. They also said that there is no guarantee that locking hotel rooms will reduce the number of tourists.

On the other hand, the idea is supported by some residents.

“I think we have to restart and recalculate now. Look at what we already have and take care of what we already have instead of building more, ”said Lisha Taketa, who lives in Kula.

Rawlins-Fernandez said she would present her bill next week.

King’s Bill will go to the full council for a first reading on June 4th.

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