Maui moving to discourage time shares

[Anne1125 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Anne1125]

I just sent an email to the councilman.

My family just returned from Maui (stayed in Maui Hill) and had a great time.

We spent plenty of cash!!!

What nerve he has making us out to be second rate tourists!

Anne

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I wonder if any of us will get a response. I will post if I get anything. Here is his email again for those of you who would like to write him, I hope his mailbox gets overloaded!

riki.hokama@co.maui.hi.us

[EileenSRN Member Find all posts View Profile Close EileenSRN]

Here is my contribution: I thought it would be nice to let the Governor know how we feel, as well. (Hubby and I drafted it together)

Dear Councilman Hokama,
In 2000 my wife and I experienced "Aloha" on Oahu and the Big Island for our 25th Anniversary. Ever since our return we have been reworking our timeshare portfolio so we could return to Hawaii and visit Maui for a few weeks. My wife and I have become SCUBA certified; we did not purchase equipment, however. We felt it would be more cost effective to rent once we arrived since we live on the East Coast. No small sum for one dive, let alone several days on the water. I read, with much dismay, that we are not wanted on your Island. We will not go where we are not wanted. We will find another spot of Paradise, I am sure, but it won't have the mystique of Maui. Perhaps I should be grateful that I discovered we were not welcome before we committed to an arrival date.
Sincerely,
Jack Skahill

"I don't see it being a need in our county to have time share," said G. Riki Hokama, Maui County Council chairman. "That's not the visitor I want here."

Maui moving to discourage time shares
By Kristen Consillio
Pacific Business News (Honolulu)

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

Here's my e-mail

Here's mine with a copy sent to the Governor:

Dear Mr. Hokama,
I just read an article in the Pacific Business News that included a quote from you. I have been a visitor to Hawaii every year since 1977. That year I stayed in rented condo units, not hotels, and did so every year until 2003 when I finally bought a timeshare. Every year I have rented a car, bought groceries and souvenirs, paid for snorkel trips and fishing boat excursions and helicopter rides. I have paid admission to many gardens, museums, historic homes and parks. I have eaten out at restaurants from the local lunch plate places to the ritzy 5 star places and bought tickets for every luau available including some sponsored by local schools. I always rent some videos at the local place and visit the local bookshops to buy my vacation reading material. And I have purchased untold numbers of libations garnished with paper umbrellas at the local night spots. And now that I have a timeshare I bring my whole family so we spend even more. And we stay longer.

But, you say to me that I am "not the kind of visitor I want here." I ask you, sir, to explain what you mean with that statement. Just what kind of visitor do you want?

The study suggests that the negative impact on your lovely island is from the folks moving there, not from those of us who visit, spend our money and then leave. Did you actually read the study that your council commissioned?

Why are you insulting a core group of your island's tourist economy? We middle class tourists have kept Maui's economy afloat for decades and now you don't want us anymore??

So, how will you replace our tourist dollars? You don't want me there, huh, okay then I'll spend my money in Kauai.

Aloha ( if you even understand the meaning!)
Julie Harris a Timeshare Owner

I live in an area where tourist dollars are all that keep us going. If a councilman made a statement like that one, we would lynch him!!

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Aloha ( if you even understand the meaning!)
Julie Harris a Timeshare Owner

I live in an area where tourist dollars are all that keep us going. If a councilman made a statement like that one, we would lynch him!!

Julie,

You should've put that in your letter...

Avery

[zdxlc9p6 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zdxlc9p6]

Here is the email I sent:

"I don't see it being a need in our county to have
time share," said G. Riki Hokama, Maui County Council
chairman. "That's not the visitor I want here."

If this is an accurate quote, I'm very disappointed. I
still work 9-5, so limited in my opportunities to
travel. I have owned timeshares beginning in 1997, and
have been to Oahu two times, and Hawaii one time. Two
of those trips were as a "tourist" staying at the
Hilton's, and one trip as a timeshare exchange. I was
looking forward to more visits to the Hawaiian
Islands, including Maui, upon retirement next year.
I'm glad I spent my money on Oahu and Hawaii, rather
than Maui that doesn't want my tourism business. I
also will comply with your request to stay out of Maui!

[shopgirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close shopgirl]

Funny you should wonder.....

I wonder if the sales reps will use this as a selling point. Better buy it while you can.

The salesman tried to use that remark in a positive way at Kaanapali Resort, which used to be Embassy. (Maybe we are going to have to refer to these resorts as Poipu Point and Kaanapli, formerly known as Embassy, just like the artist formerly known as Prince used to do. Of course, he is now Prince again). He said we should buy now because the politicians were going to shut down timeshare development on Maui after Westin is done building next door. I said, "gee, Maui doesn't like timeshare, that could be BAD for timeshare owners on Maui. What taxes are they going to charge owners to make up for their lack of revenue?" That shut the guy up. He was hoping to hit the point home that the opportunity is going away. I reminded him that the costs could be higher for owners, not that he hadn't already realized it.

I have to say, though, as an owner of timeshare on Hawaii. If they want to charge another $100 for us to use their island, go ahead and do it. I don't mind paying another $100 for my week. I just want the money to do some good for the people who need it. Put it to the schools and communities, not to line the pocketbooks of creepy politicians. Politicians are such users. I hate this mayor and don't know what point he was trying to make. We dumped so much money into their economy this past week. I am angry that he does not appreciate the taxes I pay.

I guess they should institute a higher sales tax for tourists, which would certainly help their economy. If you have a driver's license in Maui, then pay the low tax. If you don't, pay 10%. Our local sales tax north of Denver is 8.4%. I cannot believe the tax is so low on the islands. That would be a good place to get money, based on what people spend. I think I will include that in my letter to the guy. I am so angry!!!