@Team-Taylor0, I saw that post, but since it was a reply I didn't notice it was also from you.
If sounds like the situation on Oahu for Short Term Rentals (STR) is similar to what we went through a few years ago in San Francisco (where AirBnB is based).
I did a little bit of reading about the topic. Being aware that I knew nothing about STRs on Oahu 15 minutes ago, here's my impression:
- You can read the law as saying you shouldn't be doing STR unless you have a NUC (nonconforming use certificate), although I am not clear on what units or areas that applies to.
- As a practical matter, no one is enforcing this.
- The exception is this: if a neighbor is upset, and goes to the correct government agency and makes enough noise and bother, the government might try to do something about it.
- The lawmakers are working on providing some clarity by passing new legislation that specifically addresses STR. No one knows when that will happen or what the law will say.
The takeaway for hosts: it is in everyone's best interests to have a good relationship with your neighbors.
If you are confronted by an upset neighbor, it is probably best not to argue with them about the rights/wrongs/legality of AirBnB.
Concentrate on finding out specifically what about the situation is upsetting them. (Noisy kids, someone leaving trash on their property, people in the pool who shouldn't be there, cars parking where they shouldn't) Hopefully it is something you can sympathize with and fix.
Because while you can't do much about the legal status of AirBnB hosts, you CAN help your neighbor feel like you hear their complaint, you acknowledge what they are saying, and you are fixing the problem.
And that hopefully will keep everyone happy.