Maui Council Sends Hotel Zoning for Vacation Rentals to Planning Commissions

1/12/2026

The Maui County Council advanced a proposal creating new hotel zoning districts for about 4,500 long-standing vacation rental units, sending the measure to the relative planning commissions for review. The plan would establish H-3 and H-4 hotel zones, allowing affected rentals to continue operating despite Bill 9’s phase-out of short-term rentals beginning in 2029–2031. Proposed environmental safeguards tied to shoreline erosion were rejected, with council members favoring a “clean bill.” The move comes amid legal challenges to Bill 9 and rising wildfire recovery costs.

Maui Now (01/08/26) Brian Perry