Kauaʻi Moves Toward Housing Solutions with Guest House Bill

Aloha, Kauaʻi Community,

We’re excited to share an update on a significant milestone for addressing housing shortages on Kauaʻi. The County Council unanimously passed Bill 2933, a measure that allows homeowners to build guest houses on properties zoned for residential, agricultural, commercial, open, and university use—primarily targeting agricultural lands.

What’s in the Bill?

• Guest House Definition: A maximum 800-square-foot unit, which may or may not include a bathroom or kitchen.
• No Short-Term Rentals: Guest houses are strictly prohibited from being used for transient vacation rentals or other short-term stays.
• Potential Impact: It’s estimated that 300-500 guest houses could be built across the island, though this number remains optimistic due to infrastructure limitations.

Key Discussions and Concerns
During the council’s deliberations, important issues were raised:

• Infrastructure Challenges: Councilmember Felicia Cowden highlighted concerns regarding limited sewer capacities, water supply, fire evacuation risks, parking availability, and difficulties obtaining insurance in certain areas. Specific regions named as “water constrained” include Poʻipū, Wailua Homesteads, Kīlauea, Anini, and Hāʻena, among others.
• Ethical Concerns: Kauaʻi resident Lonnie Sykos alleged conflicts of interest among council members with agricultural property holdings. These concerns were not addressed during the session but underscored the complexity of balancing ethics and progress.
• Realistic Expectations: Despite the optimistic estimate of new units, past challenges with similar legislation (such as Bills 2740, 2741, and 2742) suggest infrastructure and permitting issues could limit the bill’s overall impact.

Council’s Stance

• Council Chair Mel Rapozo dismissed claims that the bill was politically motivated, stating it had been under analysis by the Planning Commission for months. Rapozo emphasized the bill’s potential to provide meaningful opportunities for local families, even if the broader housing crisis isn’t entirely resolved.
• Councilmember Addison Bulosan reflected on the communal benefits, saying, “Many communities started as community living… without family, without friends, life is nothing.”
• Councilmember Ross Kagawa, initially skeptical, voted in favor, calling the bill “not the greatest slam dunk,” but a step in the right direction.

Why It Matters
This bill is not a complete solution to the housing crisis but represents a thoughtful step toward creating more housing options for families on Kauaʻi. By enabling property owners to build guest houses, the council hopes to alleviate some of the pressure on local housing without compromising community values or overburdening infrastructure.

We’ll continue to keep you updated on how this bill unfolds and its impact on our beautiful island community.

Mahalo for your support as we navigate these challenges together.

Warm regards,
Dinka Bojanova
Kauaʻi’s Luxury Realtor Expert | Advocate for Sustainable Living