As a Hawaii based company we are compelled to speak up against unfair treatment of lawful vacation rentals. This is a letter we published on the Staradvertiser today
While the rest of Hawaii thoughtfully reopens, Oahu’s leadership plays favorites by keeping permitted vacation rentals closed.
Vacation rentals are more essential than ever in restarting economic activity and keeping residents safe as we reopen. They are the only accommoda- tion that enables true social distancing, and travelers seek this option for exactly that.
But as the CEO of Honolulu’s Turno, a cleaning tech and jobs platform, I am disappointed to see a vital community left out of this conversation: cleaners and property caretakers.
Vacation rentals are safer places to work, as employees can stay isolated. They can keep and maintain their own supplies, versus sharing them with a large staff. They can wait much longer to clean after checkout, compared to hotel rooms’ fast turnover.
It’s time to do the right thing like our neighbor islands and allow permitted vacation rentals to reopen.
Assaf Karmon
Downtown Honolulu
