Maui County has gotten tough with illegal vacation rentals.
Aware of the growing number of illegal rentals intruding into residential and agricultural areas, the county Planning Department began aggressively enforcing zoning laws in early 2007 and shut down a number of operators.
Deputy Planning Director Ann Cua said the department gave illegal operators a reasonable time to close.
Later, in January 2009, in an attempt to bring vacation rentals into compliance, the Maui Council passed an ordinance allowing a limited number of bed-and-breakfasts to operate in various areas.
Since then some 33 rentals have received permits, including coastal residences in Paia and Kuau.
Former Kuau store manager Leona Nomura said she supports enforcement of zoning laws because neighborhood beaches have become crowded with visitors. She said people have been treating residences as vacation investments, then complaining when they are told to shut down.
“They’re trying to get laws to fit their needs,” she said. “They’re all about buying and selling.”
Cua said while there are still many illegal vacation rentals, the new ordinance has provided a path for those homeowners who want to legally operate their properties as B&Bs.
