Hawaii County Bill 147 Returns to the Hawaii County Council Committee & New Registration Requirements Begin September 1st 2026

If you own a vacation rental, bed and breakfast, or investment property on Hawaiʻi Island, there are several important updates to be aware of regarding Transient Vacation Rentals (TVRs).

Here’s a summary of where things currently stand. Hawaii County Bill 147

Bill 147 Returns to Committee on September 2
Bill 147 continues to move through the legislative process after receiving unanimous favorable recommendations from both the Leeward Planning Commission and the Windward Planning Commission.

The bill now returns to the County Council’s Planning, Climate, Parks, Land Use and Development Committee (PCPLUED) for additional review and consideration of proposed amendments.

Committee Hearing

Date: September 2, 2026
Time: 1:30 p.m.
If Bill 147 is approved by the committee, it will advance to the Hawaiʻi County Council, where it must receive at least two public hearings before becoming law.

Four Proposed Amendments to Bill 147
The committee will consider four proposed amendments:

Housekeeping Amendment
Mid-Term Rental Amendment
CN (Commercial Neighborhood) District Amendment
RM (Multiple Residential) District Amendment

Property owners and anyone involved in Hawaiʻi Island’s vacation rental industry should closely follow these discussions, as the amendments could affect how the ordinance is ultimately implemented.

Mandatory TVR Registration Begins September 1, 2026
Beginning September 1, 2026, all Transient Vacation Rentals (TVRs) must be registered in accordance with Ordinance No. 25-50.

This registration requirement applies to both:

Hosted rentals (Bed & Breakfast establishments)
Unhosted Short-Term Vacation Rentals (STVRs)
The County will make the online registration portal available beginning September 1.

Public Participation
Community members wishing to participate in the September 2 committee meeting have several options.

Hawaii County Bill 147 Attend in Person
The meeting will be held at:

Kona Council Chambers
West Hawaiʻi Civic Center
74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway, Building A

Courtesy viewing locations will also be available in:

Ocean View Community Association
Pāhoa Council Office
Waimea Council Office
Provide Oral Testimony via Zoom
Those wishing to testify remotely must register no later than 12:00 noon on Monday, August 31, 2026, by contacting the County Council Office.

Submit Written Testimony
Written testimony should also be submitted by 12:00 noon on August 31, 2026 to ensure delivery to Council Members before the meeting.

Other TVR Bills to Watch
Bill 173 — Bed & Breakfast Property Tax Classification
Bill 173 proposes creating a new property tax classification specifically for owner-occupied Bed & Breakfast properties.

The original proposal included:

A dedicated Bed & Breakfast homeowner tax class
Preservation of the 3% property tax cap for qualifying homeowners
A temporary tax amnesty period allowing owners to properly register without retroactive taxes or penalties
During committee review, the provision preserving the 3% cap was removed. The amended bill was forwarded to the County Council with an unfavorable recommendation.

Council Hearing: September 3, 2026

Bill 175 — Four-Month Registration Grace Period
Bill 175 provides additional flexibility for property owners by:

Ordinance No. 25-50 (TVR Registration)
Read Ordinance No. 25-50: ORD 2025-050 2024-2026
TVR Registration FAQ: TVR Registration Public Information Sheet & FAQ

Bill 147, Relating to Transient Vacation Rentals
Read Bill 147: BIL 147 Draft 01 2024-2026
Bill 147 Explained: Bill 147 Relating to TVRs Explained

Extending the initial TVR registration period from September 1 through December 31, 2026
Clarifying that Bed & Breakfast applications accepted or approved by the Planning Department before Ordinance 25-50 takes effect on September 1 will automatically be considered registered
Making several technical and editorial corrections
Bill 175 has already:

Passed committee review
Passed first reading by the County Council on August 5, 2026
Its second reading and final vote are scheduled for September 2, 2026.

What This Means for Property Owners
The coming weeks are significant for Hawaiʻi Island vacation rental owners. Between the launch of mandatory registration, continued discussion of Bill 147, and final action on Bill 175, property owners should stay informed and prepared to comply with the County’s evolving regulations.

As these measures continue through the legislative process, I will continue providing updates as new information becomes available. Watch the August 6, 2026 webinar:

WATCH TRANSIENT VACATION (TVR) WEBINAR

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Property owners should consult with Hawaiʻi County or qualified legal and tax professionals regarding how these regulations may apply to their specific situation.

Any questions feel welcome to reach out to discuss. Contact Renee 808-345-2108 or via email renee@SearchHawaiiProperty.com.

Renee Kraft

Renee H. Kraft Luxury Top performing Hawaii State Broker born and raised on the island of Oahu named one of Hawaii State’s very best Realtors. She brings exceptional service to her clientele. Licensed professional Realtor in Hawaii Real Estate since 1992. She has the experience and tenacity to market effectively, negotiate, and focus with attention to detail every step of the way. Educated 7th – 12th grades at the La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls and the University of Hawaii Manoa campus with a B.A. in Psychology. She strives to continually keep up on the Hawaii economic forecasts and daily market activity. Technology driven Renee understands the importance of keeping her clientele in the loop on current market availablility and knowing the market inventory is 100% key to get her clients what they want. Extraordinary exceptional homes, estates, condominiums, and vacant land are her specialty. Integrity and honesty are just a fraction of what Renee shares with her clients and a very strong work ethic. Putting the client’s needs first utilizing the range of experience and knowledge, combined with a a huge amount of Aloha gives her great satisfaction that she can help her clients make sound and profitable real estate investments. Member Rotary Club of Kona -Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) -Sellers Representation Specialist (SRS) -Graduate Realtors Instutute (GRI) -Resort and Second Home Property Specialist RSPS).

Renee Kraft

Renee H. Kraft Luxury Top performing Hawaii State Broker born and raised on the island of Oahu named one of Hawaii State's very best Realtors. She brings exceptional service to her clientele. Licensed professional Realtor in Hawaii Real Estate since 1992. She has the experience and tenacity to market effectively, negotiate, and focus with attention to detail every step of the way. Educated 7th - 12th grades at the La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls and the University of Hawaii Manoa campus with a B.A. in Psychology. She strives to continually keep up on the Hawaii economic forecasts and daily market activity. Technology driven Renee understands the importance of keeping her clientele in the loop on current market availablility and knowing the market inventory is 100% key to get her clients what they want. Extraordinary exceptional homes, estates, condominiums, and vacant land are her specialty. Integrity and honesty are just a fraction of what Renee shares with her clients and a very strong work ethic. Putting the client's needs first utilizing the range of experience and knowledge, combined with a a huge amount of Aloha gives her great satisfaction that she can help her clients make sound and profitable real estate investments. Member Rotary Club of Kona -Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) -Sellers Representation Specialist (SRS) -Graduate Realtors Instutute (GRI) -Resort and Second Home Property Specialist RSPS).

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