Bill 9 Decision May Be Just Days Away — Here’s What’s at Stake for Maui Real Estate

Aloha friends,

Big decisions are brewing at the Maui County Council — and if you own (or are thinking about owning) a short-term rental property, it’s time to pay attention.

On Tuesday, July 23, the Council’s Housing & Land Use Committee (made up of all nine Council members) will reconvene to continue deliberations on Bill 9, the hotly debated proposal that would phase out legal short-term rentals in apartment-zoned areas across the island. If they don’t wrap things up that day, they’ve already scheduled Wednesday, July 24 as a follow-up.

In other words, we could be just days away from a defining vote that will shape the future of vacation rentals — and potentially the trajectory of Maui’s real estate market.

What’s at stake

Bill 9 proposes a gradual elimination of short-term rentals in apartment-zoned properties, including many legacy vacation rental complexes that have operated legally for decades. While a longer “amortization period” (possibly five years) is being considered to reduce legal risk, the core intent of the bill remains: to return these properties to the long-term housing market.

If passed, this could mean:

• A significant shift in inventory away from short-term income-producing properties

• Potential impacts to property values in vacation rental zones

• New questions about rezoning, grandfathering, and legal compliance

• Ripple effects for both investors and housing advocates across the island

Why the July 23–24 meetings matter

This upcoming committee session isn’t just another discussion. It’s a pivotal moment when Council members could take a decisive vote to send Bill 9 to the full Council for final approval. Because the same nine members sit on both the committee and the full Council, how they vote this week will likely determine the final outcome.

Let’s talk about what this could mean for you

Whether you’re a current property owner, a prospective buyer, or simply watching the market, this decision has real implications. I’ll be following the hearings closely and will provide updates as soon as we know more.

If you’d like to talk about how this may affect your plans or property value, feel free to reach out. I’m always available to discuss what this could mean for you and how to move forward with confidence.

Warmly,
Charlie Schlather