Myth-Busting the Minatoya List: What the STR Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know

The Maui County Council is hearing Bill 9 this Monday, June 9. This bill would begin phasing out the Minatoya list—a loophole that has allowed thousands of short-term vacation rentals (STRs) to operate in apartment-zoned neighborhoods. And already, the myths are flying.

Let’s get one thing straight: Bill 9 is not about taking anyone’s property. It’s about restoring balance. Our communities deserve facts, not fear. So we’re tackling the most common talking points used to block progress—and why they don’t hold up.

🛑 MYTH 1: “These units weren’t designed for long-term living.”

✅ FACT: Most of them were.
Many of these apartment-zoned units were originally built and occupied as long-term housing before platforms like Airbnb existed. The idea that they’re now unsuitable is misleading.

👉 72% of Maui households are 1–3 people, and 1–2 bedroom units (which dominate the Minatoya list) are what FEMA, CNHA, and Maui Hale Match say are most needed.

🛑 MYTH 2: “Local families can’t afford the HOA fees.”

✅ FACT: STR owners already pay more than local families would.
STR investors currently cover HOA fees plus cleaning crews, commissions, and premium maintenance for vacation-level wear and tear. With incentives, long-term rental costs become feasible.

👉 When we remove the high-churn tourist use, HOA expenses could drop—less water, less damage, fewer upgrades.

🛑 MYTH 3: “Tourists will stop coming to Maui.”

✅ FACT: Tourism isn’t going anywhere.
There are still hotels, legal STRs, and permitted B&Bs all with consistent vacancy ready to absorb the shift. Data shows tourists switch lodging—they don’t cancel their trips.

👉 And if fewer come? That aligns with Maui’s Island Plan, which envisions a healthier ratio of 1 visitor per 3 residents—not the 1-to-1 imbalance we’re nearing now.

🛑 MYTH 4: “It’s a government taking.”

✅ FACT: It’s zoning reform—something governments do all the time.
Minatoya units are allowed under a policy interpretation, not permanent zoning. Changing land use classifications to serve the public good is standard legal practice and upheld by the courts.

👉 Property owners still own their units. They can live in them, rent long-term, or sell. What’s changing is the use—and that’s a reasonable action in a housing emergency.

🛑 MYTH 5: “The economy will collapse.”

✅ FACT: The economy will adapt—and could get better for locals.
Yes, there will be a shift. But Maui’s entire economy is not tied to STRs on the Minatoya list. What we gain is:

Local spending from full-time residents
More stable jobs in union hotels
Less strain on infrastructure and emergency housing

👉 STR profits mostly benefit non-residents. Returning units to locals recirculates money on island.

🛑 MYTH 6: “Hundreds of jobs will be lost.”

✅ FACT: Maui’s hotels are desperate to hire.
Nearly 80% of hotel employers report severe staffing shortages. STR phase-outs would help fill those gaps—with better wages and benefits.

👉 Meanwhile, the County itself has vacancies. There are options for transition—if we choose to act.

🛑 MYTH 7: “We can just build our way out.”

✅ FACT: We’ve been trying that—and it’s not enough.
Permits take years. We don’t have enough water on Maui. And too often, new construction doesn’t house local people.

In fact only 4 in 10 new builds go to residents and they take years.

👉 The Minatoya phase-out would return 6,000+ units—a decade’s worth of housing—now, without building a single thing.

🛑 MYTH 8: “We’ll lose all that tax money.”

✅ FACT: We can recover it—and more—by taxing vacant and luxury homes.
And when locals live in those homes, they spend money nearby, support schools, and use services year-round. That’s a deeper tax base and stronger economy, not a weaker one.

The Bottom Line

Don’t let fear win. These myths are designed to protect speculative profits—not solve the housing crisis. Bill 9 is a practical, compassionate solution that prioritizes:

✅ Local families
✅ Long-term renters
✅ Fire survivors
✅ Cultural resilience
✅ A future where Maui is still home

Show up Monday, June 9. Testify in person or online. Be counted.

📍 Maui County Council Chambers, 200 S. High Street, 8th Floor, Wailuku
🕘 Arrive by 9:00 AM | Hearing 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Let’s stop the myths—and start the healing.
Housing is not a luxury. It’s a right.