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Hawaii Lawmakers Take Aim At Vacation Rentals After Lahaina Wildfire Amplifies Maui Housing Crisis

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HONOLULU — Amy Chadwick, a single mother of two, worked hard and saved for years before purchasing a home in the town of Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui. However, after a horrific fire destroyed Lahaina in August, Chadwick’s home was reduced to white dust, and the cheapest rental she could find for her family and dogs was $10,000 per month.

Chadwick, a fine-dining server, relocated to Florida to stretch her homeowner’s insurance costs. She’s concerned that Maui’s expensive rental prices, fueled in part by holiday rentals that dominate a limited housing supply, may hollow out her close-knit community.

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Hawaii Lawmakers Take Aim At Vacation Rentals After Lahaina Wildfire Amplifies Maui Housing Crisis

Most individuals in Lahaina work for hotels, restaurants, and tour businesses and cannot afford to pay rent of $5,000 to $10,000 per month, she added.

“You’re displacing an entire community of service industry workers. So no one will be able to sustain the tourist that you’re prioritizing over your town,” Chadwick said over the phone from her new home in Satellite Beach on Florida’s Space Coast. “Nothing positive will come of it until they take a firm stance, putting their foot down and effectively regulating these short-term rentals.

The August 8 wildfire killed 101 people and destroyed houses for 6,200 families, exacerbating Maui’s already severe housing scarcity and exposing the massive number of holiday rentals in Lahaina. It reminded lawmakers that short-term rentals are a problem throughout Hawaii, prompting them to pursue legislation that would give counties the ability to phase them out.

During a recent press conference, Gov. Josh Green became so frustrated that he shouted out an expletive.

“This fire uncovered a clear truth, which is we have too many short-term rentals owned by too many individuals on the mainland and it is b———t,” Green said in a statement. “And our people deserve housing, here.”

Vacation rentals are a popular alternative to hotels for individuals looking for kitchens, lower pricing, and the chance to experience ordinary island life. Supporters claim they enhance tourism, the state’s largest industry. Critics accuse them of raising housing costs, upsetting neighborhoods, and contributing to the dynamics that drive locals and Native Hawaiians to flee Hawaii for less expensive places.

This migration has become a big issue in Lahaina. According to the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, a charity, at least 1,500 households have departed since the August wildfire, accounting for a quarter of those who lost their houses.

The fire destroyed single-family homes and apartments in and around downtown, which is the heart of Lahaina’s residential community. According to a study conducted by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, holiday rentals accounted for only 7.5% of all units in February 2023.

Lahaina communities that were spared from the fire have a considerably larger ratio of vacation rentals. Short-term rentals account for roughly half of all housing in Napili, located around 7 miles (11 kilometers) north of the burn zone.

When Chadwick began house hunting in 2016, she thought she had discovered a place to buy in Napili. However, a Canadian woman secured it with a monetary offer and converted it into a vacation rental.

Outside the burn zone, there are scores of short-term rental condominium structures built decades ago on apartment-zoned land.

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Hawaii Lawmakers Take Aim At Vacation Rentals After Lahaina Wildfire Amplifies Maui Housing Crisis

In 1992, Maui County explicitly permitted owners of these buildings to rent units for less than 180 days at a period, even without short-term rental permits. Since November, demonstrators have seized the beach in front of Lahaina’s largest hotels, urging the mayor or governor to exercise their emergency powers and rescind this exemption.

Money is a major incentive for owners to rent to travelers: according to 2016 state data, a Honolulu vacation rental earns 3.5 times the revenue of a long-term rental.

The Housing Committee chair, State Rep. Luke Evslin, stated both Maui and Kauai counties have experienced net losses in residential housing in recent years due to a lack of new building and the conversion of so many properties to short-term rentals.

“Every alarm bell we have should be ringing when we’re literally going backwards in our goal to provide more housing in Hawaii,” he told the crowd.

In his own Kauai district, Evslin sees people fleeing, becoming homeless, or working three jobs to get by.

The Democrat was one of 47 House members who cosponsored a bill that would phase out short-term rentals. One goal is to give counties more authority after a US judge found in 2022 that Honolulu violated state law by attempting to limit rentals of fewer than 90 days. According to Evslin, this ruling left Hawaii’s counties with minimal means for controlling holiday rentals, such as property taxes.

Lawmakers also proposed increasing Hawaii’s housing supply by requiring counties to allow additional houses to be built on individual lots. However, they scaled down the legislation after local officials stated that they were already investigating the notion.

Short-term rental owners claimed that a phase-out would violate their property rights by taking their property without compensation, potentially forcing them into foreclosure. Some anticipated legal issues.

According to Alicia Humiston, president of the Rentals by Owner Awareness Association, several communities in West Maui were created for tourists; thus, they lack schools and other facilities that families require.

“This area in West Maui that is sort of like this resort apartment zone — that’s all north of Lahaina — it was never built to be local living,” he said.

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AP – VOR News Image

Hawaii Lawmakers Take Aim At Vacation Rentals After Lahaina Wildfire Amplifies Maui Housing Crisis

According to one housing advocate, just because a city allowed vacation rentals decades ago does not imply it should still do so now.

“We are not living in the 1990s or 1970s,” stated Sterling Higa, executive director of Housing Hawaii’s Future. States “should have the authority to look at existing laws and reform them as necessary to provide for the public good.”

Courtney Lazo, a real estate agent and member of Lahaina Strong, the organization that is occupying Kaanapali Beach, says tourists can now stay in her city, but many locals cannot.

“How do you expect a community to recover, heal, and move forward when the people who make Lahaina, Lahaina, aren’t even there anymore?” she asked at a recent press appearance, her voice quivering. “They’re moving away.”

SOURCE – (AP)

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Kiara Grace
Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics. Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.
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Trudeau Condemned in India By Sikhs and Hindus

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Trudeau, India
A protest against Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau erupted in Delhi, India, on Sunday.

A protest against Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau erupted in Delhi, India, on Sunday, November 10, in response to the attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada. Hindus and Sikhs united to protest in front of the Canadian embassy in Delhi.

During the protest, a member of the Sikh Global Forum stated, “We are here to demonstrate that Sikhs have not attacked Hindus; we are both linked by blood relations.”

For Hindus, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh sacrificed for their religion. How can they fight with one another? We are here at the Canadian Embassy to deliver a memorandum,” PTI reported.

People from the Hindu Sikh Global Forum were on their way to the High Commission of Canada, Chanakyapuri, to condemn the attack on a Hindu Temple in Canada when they were stopped near Teen Murti Marg by Delhi Police.

Notably, Khalistanis stormed a prominent Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, with Canadian police officials implicated. The incident raised concerns about the safety of Hindus in Canada.

Relations between India and Canada have been strained for more than a year, and there is little indication of improvement as recriminations persist.

Because Sikhs play an important role in Canadian politics, both the ruling Liberal Party and the opposition parties court them. India accused Trudeau of engaging in “vote bank politics.” Canada respects India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty but cannot restrict its citizens’ political activity.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, India

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with members of the Sikh Caucus.

Recent Indian statements have once again portrayed Trudeau as responsible for the worsening of relations. However, even under a different government, India cannot be certain or optimistic that Canada will comply with its demands for restrictions on Sikh activism.

In April this year, Prime Minister Trudeau, Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre, New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, and several legislators attended a Sikh event in Toronto, demonstrating the community’s clout.

India opposed the use of “Khalistan” slogans on the day. Years ago, it was clear that relations between Canada and India were strained.

Trudeau traveled to India in February 2018 as part of a high-profile tour. The Indian media claimed the state visit was “downgraded” because Modi did not join his guest on a tour to Gujarat.

The media also noted that Modi did not send a tweet greeting Trudeau.

Surprisingly, the Indian Foreign Ministry addressed Prime Minister Trudeau’s 2018 visit in a statement in October, claiming that it was “aimed at currying favor with a vote bank,” but “rebounded to his discomfort.”

In recent days, Canada and India have exchanged additional allegations. The most significant of these concerns are those of Home Minister Amit Shah, often regarded as the most powerful man behind Modi in the Indian government.

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Geoffrey Thomas is a seasoned staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. With his sharp writing skills and deep understanding of SEO, he consistently delivers high-quality, engaging content that resonates with readers. Thomas' articles are well-researched, informative, and written in a clear, concise style that keeps audiences hooked. His ability to craft compelling narratives while seamlessly incorporating relevant keywords has made him a valuable asset to the VORNews team.
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Hamas Leaders Ordered to Leave Qatar

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Qatar has instructed Hamas leaders to leave the country

Qatar has ordered Hamas leaders to leave the country in response to a US request to stop Qatar’s support for the terrorist organization.

In a series of high-stakes communications, Washington informed Qatar that Hamas’ continued presence in Doha is no longer acceptable in light of the militant group’s rejection of recent ceasefire and hostage exchange proposals, prompting Qatar to deliver a similar message to Hamas leaders about ten days earlier.

A US official emphasized the US stance, telling Reuters that “after rejecting repeated proposals to release hostages, its leaders should no longer be welcome in the capitals of any American partner.” We made this clear to Qatar after Hamas’ rejection weeks ago.”

Despite US pressure, three Hamas officials have denied that Qatar formally requested their departure, Reuters reports.

Since 2012, Qatar has sheltered Hamas leaders as part of a deal to encourage negotiations, particularly during times of heavy tension between Hamas and Israel.

In recent months, Qatar, along with the United States and Egypt, has led many rounds of discussions to end the carnage in Gaza—a goal that has proven elusive since Hamas rejected a previous cease-fire agreement in mid-October.

The Biden administration’s effort for a resolution in Gaza has acquired urgency as Israel’s retaliatory strikes have ravaged the area, killing an estimated 43,000 Palestinians and causing enormous destruction.

Meanwhile, the recent election of Republican Donald Trump as the next US president has reportedly reduced President Biden’s clout in the last weeks of his presidency.

Previous rounds of talks collapsed when Israel imposed new criteria, including a prospective military presence in Gaza, which Hamas interpreted as changing “last-minute goalposts.”

Last year, similar discussions mediated in Doha resulted in a seven-day cease-fire in Gaza, allowing captives to be released and humanitarian aid to be delivered, but hostilities immediately resumed.

Qatar’s long-standing stance as a mediator has come under growing scrutiny from US politicians. Fourteen Republican senators recently wrote to the Department of State, seeking penalties on Hamas officials in Qatar, their extradition, and a demand that Qatar “end its hospitality” to Hamas.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister, has defended his country’s hosting of Hamas officials, claiming that their presence promotes crucial diplomatic conversations.

Source: Reuters

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Iraq Prepares to Allow Men to Marry 9 Years Old Girls

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Iraq to Allow Men to Marry 9 Years Old Girls
The proposed legal change also deprives women of rights to divorce, child custody and inheritance.

Iraq is preparing to lower the legal age of consent from 18 to 9 years old, allowing males to marry young children. The legislative amendment also strips women of their rights to divorce, child custody, and inheritance.

Iraq’s parliament, which is dominated by a coalition of orthodox Shia Muslim parties, is set to vote on an amendment to repeal the country’s “personal status law”.

The legislation, also known as Law 188, was hailed as one of the most progressive in the Middle East when it was established in 1959. It establishes an overarching set of norms for Iraqi families, regardless of religious affiliation.

In addition to lowering the legal marriage age, the amendment would deny women the right to divorce, child custody, and inheritance.

According to the ruling coalition, the decision is consistent with a rigorous interpretation of Islamic law and aims to safeguard young females from “immoral relationships.”

On September 16, the change to Law 188 received its second reading.

It is not the first time Shia parties in Iraq have attempted to reform the personal status law; previous proposals failed in 2014 and 2017, partly due to opposition from Iraqi women.

However, according to Dr Renad Mansour, a senior research fellow at Chatham House, the coalition currently has a substantial legislative majority and is close to passing the amendment.

According to experts and campaigners, the amendment would effectively eliminate the country’s most vital women’s rights.

Iraq already has a high rate of child marriage. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), approximately 28% of women in Iraq marry by the age of 18.

This is due to a loophole in personal status law that allows religious leaders, rather than judges, to officiate hundreds of marriages each year, including those involving girls as young as 15, with approval from the father.

Unregistered weddings are common among Iraq’s economically destitute, ultraconservative Shia populations.

However, because the marriage is not legally recognized, the females and any children they have are denied a wide range of privileges. Hospitals, for example, may refuse to accept women for deliveries unless they have a marriage certificate.

According to The Telegraph, the amendment would legitimize these religious weddings, increasing the danger of sexual and physical assault against young girls, as well as denying them access to education and jobs.

The proposed amendment is the governing coalition’s latest attempt to limit women’s rights.

In April, it also made same-sex relationships punishable by up to 15 years in prison despite failing to impose the death penalty. Last year, it decided that media outlets should replace the term “homosexuality” with “sexual deviance” across all platforms.

The term “gender” has also been prohibited.

Before voting on the latest modifications, the Iraqi parliament will hold a formal debate. Women’s rights advocates have accused the government of wanting to “legalize child rape” in response to the action.

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Geoff Thomas
Geoffrey Thomas is a seasoned staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. With his sharp writing skills and deep understanding of SEO, he consistently delivers high-quality, engaging content that resonates with readers. Thomas' articles are well-researched, informative, and written in a clear, concise style that keeps audiences hooked. His ability to craft compelling narratives while seamlessly incorporating relevant keywords has made him a valuable asset to the VORNews team.
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