Maui County’s Housing and Land Use Committee voted 6–3 to approve Bill 9, which phases out legal STR condos operating in apartment-zoned areas across Maui.
STRs in West Maui must wind down by 2028, and the rest of Maui has until 2030. STRs in hotel-zoned areas remain unaffected.
Bill 9’s Purpose and Growing Backlash
Supporters argue Bill 9 will convert STR properties into housing for residents, easing the island’s housing crunch. Opponents call the measure rushed and poorly defined, pointing to missing follow-up policies (such as rezoning guidance), warn that the bill could damage Maui’s tourism driven economy, and will likely trigger lawsuits.
Affordable or Just “Obtainable”?
A key point centers on: will local residents actually benefit from the condos once converted?
A county official clarified that these properties were never expected to become “affordable housing,” but rather “obtainable” units. Which is an admission that undercuts public claims that Bill 9 will solve housing affordability.
Affordable housing typically includes price controls or subsidies to support low- to moderate-income residents. “Obtainable” housing, by contrast, simply means units may be available, but without affordability guarantees.
The likely outcome is that STR owners who need the income to support their properties would have to sell to buyers that can afford to use the property as a second home or a seasonal residence. This wouldn't do anything to help local residents seeking affordable housing. And yet, it would almost certainly cause significant harm to local residents with jobs in Maui's tourism industry.
What’s Next for STR Owners
Bill 9 still requires a second full council vote but is widely expected to pass. Property owners face limited options:
- Apply for rezoning to hotel classification, though the process is lengthy and lacks clear guidelines.
- Prepare for litigation, as multiple legal challenges are expected.
- Monitor supplemental legislation, which is anticipated but currently undefined.
For now, STR owners are advised to begin rezoning applications immediately despite the uncertainty. The coming months will determine whether Bill 9 becomes law, or just create years of legal and political battles.
