Maui Mulls Short-Term Rental Tax Changes to Aid Displaced Wildfire Victims
Skift Take
The proposed legislation uses the carrot and stick approach to secure long-term housing from short-term rentals.
Hawaii is looking for ways to help those displaced by the Lahaina wildfire in August, and Maui mayor Richard Bissen has proposed tax incentives to turn short-term rentals into long-term housing.
Bissen said he presented a proposal to the county council on Tuesday. If approved, owners of Maui's short-term vacation rentals, timeshares, and non-owner-occupied homes would be granted an exemption from real property taxes.
The exemption would apply from February 20, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
Short-term rental units currently face a tax rate of $11.85 for every $1,0
