Nov 20, 2007
A Hawaiian reader has responded to our report that the Mayor of Maui has set about to prohibit the operation of B&Bs or vacation homes
Fearing the inability of low-income or middle-income tourists to find affordable lodgings on the islands of Maui, Molokai or Lanai, I recently reported on the efforts by the Mayor of Maui (who also possesses jurisdiction over Molokai and Lanai) to prohibit the operation of B&B's in private homes or the rental of vacation homes. That edict has resulted in consternation and sorrow among the many operators of such low-cost lodgings, who point out that none of these islands has economy hotels sufficient to accommodate cost-conscious tourists.
In Molokai and Lanai, the only actual hotels are expensive four-star or five-star properties, and the elimination of B&B's and vacation homes will essentially restrict those islands to the rich. Yet, as hard to believe as it may be, it appears that the prohibition may become effective at the end of this year.
The operator of a Molokai B&B has written a touching post in response to that blog, which is available in full on our message boards:
In Molokai and Lanai, the only actual hotels are expensive four-star or five-star properties, and the elimination of B&B's and vacation homes will essentially restrict those islands to the rich. Yet, as hard to believe as it may be, it appears that the prohibition may become effective at the end of this year.
The operator of a Molokai B&B has written a touching post in response to that blog, which is available in full on our message boards:
Molokai used to welcome about 120,000 visitors yearly, but when our largest hotel with 100 rooms shut down and Maui county gave control of our tourism marketing to Maui, we magically spiraled down to 50,000 visitors a year.Still another reader, a visitor to Maui, has written directly to me, as follows:
I'm sad that Maui is turning into a land of the rich and the locals are to service them. I can't afford the hotel prices on Maui when I go over for business -- I come home the same day. Maui is making lifestyle choices because Maui's real estate market is directly tied to the tourism marketing.
I read with disappointment today the mayor of Maui's stance on rental homes. For several years my family and friends have come to Maui to vacation. We rent homes, bring our children and their friends, and enjoy the great Island. We spend tons of money on rental equipment, food, entertainment and local arts, etc. We would never stay in the hotels due to the price of a room and the price of food.Write and read comments about this post.
This is a huge mistake and will drastically reduce the travel dollars spent on the Island. I will now take my money to Mexico and so will many of my friends. We will miss you Maui.
Labels: accommodations, hawaii
Fifty years ago, 
Arthur Frommer is generally acknowledged to be the nation's foremost travel authority. He is the founder of the
