As a newly-arrived resident of the North Shore (I arrived in February after retiring from the Mainland). I can perhaps give a slightly different perspective on the issue of vacation rentals than the one presented by “a manager of vacation
As a newly-arrived resident of the North Shore (I arrived in February after retiring from the Mainland). I can perhaps give a slightly different perspective on the issue of vacation rentals than the one presented by “a manager of vacation rental homes” before the Kaua’i Planning Commission public hearings on the Kaua’i General Plan Final Draft, as reported in your newspaper earlier this week.
I live in a wonderful neighborhood, peopled by a combination of retirees and working persons. There are old folks, kids, and lots of dogs! Residents take care of their homes because they live in them, not because the next paying guest is about to arrive. They also seem to care about each other, and are very respectful of the space we share. Except for the stream of occupants in the vacation rental down the street.
Little did I realize when I picked up my possessions and moved a continent – and half an ocean – away from what used to be home, that what I thought was the perfect retirement spot was in someone else’s mind just another chance to get rich. So, I am forced to co-exist with a constantly changing cast of characters who are on an eternal vacation – but who choose to experience it practically in my backyard rather than in a hotel. And who night after night celebrate their freedom outside my bedroom window – instead of a bar, which would be more appropriate. And, who – worst of all – have no stake in getting along with me and my neighbors, and who couldn’t care less about the quality of our lives.
I might feel better for the poor absentee house owners if I thought that “vacation rental” was all that stood between them and foreclosure on their mortgage. But I know that is not true. Good, honest working people cannot find a place to live on the North Shore at present. So tenants could be found.
Before I moved from the Mainland, I had for a tenant a single mom with two kids. Sure, there were some problems, but no more than one would expect from any other business undertaking. I never considered turning my place into a vacation rental. My sense was that it would have altered the nature of the neighborhood in a totally unacceptable way. And I was correct.
Gertrude Long, Princeville
