Mufi's Message - January 18, 2022

Free COVID Test Kits

Aloha,

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz alerted me to a free, at-home testing opportunity that anybody can take advantage of. Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of free test kits from USPS.com. There is a limit of one order per household, but each order contains four individual tests. The test kits will begin shipping in late January.

This is a great opportunity as we continue to feel the effects of the Omicron variant which has caused new cases in Hawai'i to soar in recent weeks. Having a rapid test on hand would allow you to quickly rule out the possibility of infection if you are concerned, have possibly been exposed, or just are quite feeling well.

To place an order, please click this link.

Bill 41

On Thursday, the Honolulu City Council will hold a special meeting of the Zoning & Planning Committee to hear Bill 41 (2021). As you may recall, this measure proposes new rules to regulate regulate short-term rental units in the City & County of Honolulu. These new changes were proposed by the Department of Planning & Permitting, and HLTA has strongly supported them through the hearing process at the Honolulu Planning Commission and before the Full Council.

We are all aware of the negative impacts that the illegal short-term rental market has on communities. From taxing municipal utilities and overwhelming parking to driving local families out of neighborhoods and severely curtailing the inventory of affordable rental units, STRs on the whole must be regulated and those operating illegally must be penalized.

You can submit written testimony and sign up to testify via video link here. You may also read our most recent testimony in support of this measure at the following link.

If you have any questions or concerns about the hearing, the bill, or how to testify, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Mahalo,
​Mufi