After more than a year of debate, protest, and political gridlock, Maui’s short-term rental (STR) battle has reached a critical turning point. With a 6-3 vote on July 24th, the Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use (HLU) Committee advanced Bill 9, a proposal that would phase out roughly 6,000 legally operating STRs in apartment-zoned areas.

This decision was expected, as this committee focuses on housing. Questions remain about the bill’s legality, enforceability, and ultimate impact on the local economy and community.

Here’s where we are now: STRs in West Maui would be required to shut down by January 1, 2029. STRs in all other apartment districts would have to end operations by January 1, 2031. The bill must still go before the full County Council. That vote could happen in late September. You can review the amendments to Bill 9 here.

So, what happens if it passes?

According to Hawaii economist Paul Brewbaker, the potential consequences are stark. Removing these STRs would wipe out nearly 30% of Maui’s lodging supply, reduce tourism spending by 20%, and cut as much as 6% from the island’s GDP. That’s not just a theory. Brewbaker estimates 5,000 to 8,000 local jobs could be lost—undermining the very communities the bill says it’s trying to protect.

Even some council members now acknowledge that these STR units will not convert to affordable housing. Instead, they’ll likely be sold to second-home buyers, many of them from the mainland. Without the ability to rent short-term, these properties may sit vacant much of the year, doing little to ease the housing crisis. Meanwhile, Craigslist lists over 400 vacant long-term rentals on Maui—suggesting the issue is as much about affordability as it is about availability.

Bill 9 has not passed, and there are powerful legal precedents in favor of property owners. In 2022, a Honolulu court ruling found that retroactively applying strict STR regulations violated constitutional rights. That decision could influence statewide policy—potentially making it far harder for counties like Maui to eliminate existing STRs.

If that precedent holds, it could protect thousands of homeowners and long-term investors who have operated in compliance with the law for years.

The HLU Committee’s vote is a recommendation to the County Council. As economist Paul Brewbaker put it:

“If you want 6,000 homes for locals, build them. Don’t dismantle what’s working and hope for a miracle.”

Whether you’re a resident, an investor, or someone who simply loves this island, your voice matters now more than ever. Reach out to your Council Representative. If you live on Maui, your voice carries weight. This is the time to use it.

Stay informed. Stay engaged. Stay optimistic.


Romvari Realty