Hawaiian Beach Town Struggles with State Over Tourism

Natives of the coastal Hawaiian town of Kailua are fighting back against the state's tourism agency in response to the fast-growing number of unpermitted vacation rentals popping up across the Honolulu suburb.

According to Audrey McAvoy of the Associated Press, the Kailua neighborhood board recently reached out to the state tourism agency in an effort to cease promotion of Kailua and avoid perpetuating the trend.

After noticing that the state's tourism department promoted a Kailua vacation rental as the "perfect solution" for traveling families and large groups, the board voted 12-2 in September to pass a resolution requesting the agency to stop.

The board argued that "it wasn't right for one government agency—the tourism authority—to promote vacation rentals while another—the city—struggles to enforce the law against illegal operators," according to McAvoy.

In addition to claiming that the surging industry exhausts a limited housing supply and augments costs, board members like Lisa Marten say they disapprove of living so close to a revolving door of strangers, per McAvoy:

 "It doesn't feel like a neighbourhood when you don't know the people there...If there's any sort of safety issue, there's no one to ask for help because you don't know them."

But while the board proved overwhelmingly in favor of the resolution, Honolulu City Countil member Ikaika Anderson, who represents Kailua, called it "an embarrassment" and doesn't believe that it truly reflects the sentiment of the majority of the town's residents.

"It's a signal to those folks who do not live in Kailua that Kailua residents do not welcome them."

The Hawaii Tourism Authority estimates that there are up to 500 vacation rental units available in Kailua. However, only a fraction of those have the proper permits, according to board chairman Chuck Prentiss.

Meanwhile, defenders of Kailua's booming tourism industry claim that it stimulates the area, helping to support the economy and provide jobs.

With neither side likely to back down and both presenting solid arguments, the goal would appear to be finding some level of balance and ultimately reaching a common ground at some point in the future.

But, until then, the ongoing tourism battle in Kailua is likely to continue.