Bill 147: Why Remove Bed & Breakfasts From CN Zoning?

I need the public's help trying to understand another proposed change in Bill 147. Under Hawaiʻi County's current zoning code, Bed & Breakfast establishments are specifically listed as a permitted use in CN, Neighborhood Commercial, zoning. One of the proposed amendments to Bill 147 would change that.

What problem are we trying to solve, and what is the motivation behind this change?

That's the question I can't seem to get answered. Where did this proposal come from? Was there a specific problem that prompted Councilmember Heather Kimball to propose removing this existing permitted use? And what about people who bought CN-zoned property and are legally operating vacation rentals today? Why are we taking away a use that is currently legal?

I've followed Bill 147 closely, attended the hearings, and read the drafts and amendments, but I still haven't found a clear explanation. So I'm asking for the public's help. If you know where this proposal came from or what problem it's intended to solve, please let me know.

Before we remove something that's currently a permitted use under our zoning code, I think we should understand why we're doing it.

Current Hawaiʻi County Code, Section 25-5-102: “Bed and breakfast establishments” are a permitted use in the CN district. (click below to see the full list)

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More on Bill 147

I've been following Bill 147 throughout this process. If you'd like more background, here are my other articles:

• September 17, 2026: Bill 147: Why Remove Bed & Breakfasts From CN Zoning? Read the article
• September 16, 2026: Bill 147: Please Stop Calling This “Housekeeping” Read the article
• August 3, 2026: Bill 147 Update: County Schedules Public TVR Webinar Read the article
• July 17, 2026: Bill 147 Moves One Step Closer to Becoming Law Read the article
• July 1, 2026: Bill 147 Deferred Until July 16 (Hawaii County Short Term Rentals) Read the article

#Bill147 #CNZoning #HawaiiCounty #HawaiiIsland #ShortTermRentals #VacationRentals #PropertyRights #Zoning #HeatherKimball #JeffDarrow #KonaRealEstate #HawaiiRealEstate

Originally published on LinkedIn. Republished here October 16, 2026.