Hawaii County Panel Defers Bill Regarding STRs

6/8/2026

Hawaii County’s Windward Planning Commission unanimously deferred consideration of Bill 147, a proposal that would significantly overhaul short-term rental regulations, until its July 2 meeting. The bill would redefine hosted and unhosted rentals, expand some areas where hosted rentals are allowed, increase the definition of “short term” from 30 to 180 days, and establish registration fees, occupancy limits, and stricter enforcement measures, including fines of up to $10,000 for repeat violations. The proposal is largely driven by a 2024 Hawaii Supreme Court ruling that prohibited vacation rentals on state-designated agricultural land. Farmers operating farm-stay rentals argued the bill could threaten their livelihoods by restricting the rental of additional farm dwellings and requiring costly special-use permits.

Hawaii Tribune-Herald (06/07/26) Stefan Verbano