The Maui County Council voted 5 to 3 on Monday to pass the first of three readings on Bill 9 — Mayor Richard Bissen’s divisive proposal to convert 6,100 short-term vacation rentals into long-term housing for Maui residents.

At the end of another full day of testimony speculating over the effects of Bill 9, the Council scheduled the bill’s second of three readings for Dec. 15.

Council Chair Alice Lee voted against Bill 9 on Monday, along with Vice Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura and Council member Tom Cook.

“Some of us are very concerned about the horrendous economic impact of such a bill,” Lee said.

Later, just before calling for the Council vote, Lee described Bill 9 as “very divisive.”

“I’ve been in this business over 26 years and, honestly, this is one of the worst bills I’ve ever seen. …

See Full Page