HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR102218VRBO` F
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BERNARD P. CARVALHO JR. WALLACE G. REZENTES JR.
Mayor ga OF A Managing Director
s
COUNTY OF KAUA'I
OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY & PLANNING DEPARTMENT
News Release
For Immediate Release: October 22, 2018
JUSTIN KOLLAR, PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
Tel (808) 241-1888
Fax (808) 241-1758
MICHAEL DAHILIG, DIRECTOR
Tel (808) 241-4050
Fax (808) 241-6699
Prosecuting Attorney and Planning Director condemn VRBO and
Homeaway for soliciting illegal rentals, and caution homeowners against
illegal usage
LIHU`E — Prosecuting Attorney Justin F. Kollar and Planning Director Michael Dahilig are
strongly condemning VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner) and Homeaway for soliciting
prospective vacation rental homes from landowners across Kauai County who do not have
legal permission to do so.
In mass mailers received by many county residents, VRBO encourages homeowners to
place their homes into vacation rental usage by incentivizing new operations with a guaranteed
$1,000 in income for the month of January.
"These mailers only confirm the predatory practices of some in the homeshare industry
and this needs to stop," said Dahilig. "VRBO's and Homeaway's unethical actions highlight their
complete disregard for the impacts their reckless corporate actions create for our communities
by taking housing away from our local residents."
The mailers sent from VRBO's Austin, Texas, facility characterizes "unprecedented
demand" from travelers looking to stay at communities across the island. The Planning
Department has received confirmation that letters were received from residents in Anahola,
Kapa`a, LThu`e, and Waimea. These areas are not resort communities under law.
I take seriously any organization actively recruiting Kaua`i's homeowners into engaging
in illegal activities harming our communities," said Kollar. "These companies should be
ashamed of themselves, and aware that any of their activities will be investigated for criminal
wrongdoing and potentially prosecuted."
The Prosecutor and Director wish to remind all that vacation rentals outside of county -
designated visitor destination areas are illegal without a non -conforming use certificate and is
punishable by a misdemeanor, and/or civil fines up to $10,000 per day.