Mayor Victorino Vetoes Bill 60 - South & West Maui Visitor Accommodations Moratorium

We want to give a big MAHALO to Mayor Victorino for vetoing Bill 60. We consistently shared our thoughts on this moratorium throughout the process and appreciate that the Mayor shares our concerns on potential legal challenges to this bill. We know the importance of protecting our environment, a sustainable visitor industry, and economic diversification and we do not believe this moratorium is the solution.
Please see the full press release below.

We expect the Maui County Council to discuss overriding the veto within the next 10 business days. We encourage you to reach out and email them now to urge them not to overturn this veto. We will keep you informed when the agenda has been posted.

Mayor Michael Victorino has vetoed Bill 60. The bill seeks to establish a two-year moratorium on building permits for visitor accommodation developments in West and South Maui.

“I share the Maui County Council’s desire to better manage the growing number of visitors to our islands, but Bill 60 won’t accomplish that. It will simply limit the choice of visitor accommodations in five to ten years.” Mayor Victorino said. “The bill fails to address short-term rental homes or bed-and-breakfast accommodations that operate in existing houses. Over the past 20 years, the increase in Maui visitor accommodations has come primarily from vacation rental units. I am also concerned about unintended consequences such as pushing hospitality developments into communities outside of Maui’s resort areas.  

“Bill 60 failed to follow the process required by the County Charter and has legal deficiencies that will make Maui County vulnerable to lengthy litigation. There is more comprehensive legislation pending before the Council’s Planning and Sustainability Land Use Committee that is going through the proper process and aims to reduce short-term rental home permits allowed in each of our community plan districts. 

“I strongly urge Councilmembers to reconsider passage of Bill 60. We need thoughtful, community-driven and comprehensive initiatives to set a post-pandemic course for Maui County’s economic recovery.”