We come to Hawaii once or twice a year and loved the Kailua area when we were here last time and were also hoping to rent a place for a week or two.
Are we also talking about the rentals on VRBO and home away, which I use often or just B & B's? We love all the islands and don't want to offend or go somewhere we are not wanted, but also do not like staying in a little hotel room. We do always pay Hawaii tax for these places and would want that money going to the state instead of being charged for it and the owner keeping it. Any clarification would be helpful.

Unfortunately, Bob and owners of illegal vacation rentals have the same selfish attitude toward breaking Oahu’s zoning laws. Their only concerned with what will benefit them.

There are no “licenses” for B&B’s or vacation rentals on Oahu. In fact, anyone can open a B&B or a vacation rental as long as it is located in appropriate zone areas. But if a property owner wants to operate a B&B or vacation rental on residential-use only or on agriculture zoned land, then they must have a “non-conforming use” certificate.

Since the majority of Kailua’s neighborhoods are zoned for “residential-use” only, any B&B or vacation rental businesses that don’t have a “non-conforming use” certificate are operating illegal. Presently, there are approximately 76 legal visitor accommodation businesses in Kailua, but there are an estimated 500 illegal businesses.

In the last year, a record number of complaints have been filed against illegal rentals in Kailua, North Shore, Waimanalo and Makaha. Many of these rentals have closed their operations. Ultimately, all of the illegal rentals will be shut-down.

In order to be certain your accommodations are not closed down prior to your arrival, I would recommend you and all visitors make sure their rental has a “non-conforming use” certificate by calling the Department of Planning and Permitting at (808) 523-4193 and give them the address and owners’ name of the rental and they can authenticate the rental’s legality.

BEST Kailua Beach Secret!

The Kailua Beach Park and Lanikai accesses can get crowded especially on weekends. An alternative is to go to the far side (north end of the bay) of Kailua Beach to a part called "Castles".
You can park free on Kailuana Loop (LOTS of free onstreet parking) and walk perhaps 10 yards to a public beach access located on the 800 block of N. Kalaheo Ave.
Turn onto Kailuana Loop off Kalaheo Ave. Kailuana is located on the north end of Kalaheo Ave. look for lava rock walls whioch mark the entry to this neighborhood.
Walk out to Kalaheo Ave. and turn left..just steps away ypou will see the public beach access.
There is no one at this end of the beach. Nothing but wide sandy beach with nice rolling waves for boogie boarders. If there is a swell breaking off shore it is a shirt paddle to a great surf break that breaks both right and left on the outside..which means no surfers to get in the way of the children playing in shallow waters.
BEST Secret and you will all thank me for this tip!

Jolie/Karen Mc. do you copy and paste your angry tirades on every single travel board?

You are ridiculous! Now reply to this post with more of your verbage and waste everyone's time on the board.

bennyb - anyone who stays in an unlicensed b&b are NOT breaking the law. And staying in an unlicensed b&b does not equate to a bad vacation. There is no reason to warn vacationers against staying in unlicensed b&bs.

Well said caterpillar. And Bob I am sorry to have started such a heated debate and get you all worked up LOL. I definately side with your comments and I will be staying in an "illegal" b and b when in Kailua.

I guess the only downside to planning a vacation around staying in an illegal B&B in Kailua (or anywhere for that matter) would be if the authorities happened to close them down AFTER I sent in my deposit, but BEFORE my vacation ..... would kind of mess it up, don't you think? But if you book with someone who has taken the time to do it right and has the appropriate paperwork in order there should (keyword)be no problem. I know - for myself, anyway - I work too long and hard for my money and the time to take off to worry about my planned vacation destination being closed down prior to my arrival. I plan my trips well in advance and don't like last minute surprises, so, thank you, Malana, i will keep that phone number handy with my Hawaii stuff so I can check out any property I may be interested in staying at in the future.

Yes, it would be a "downside" if the authorities cracked down after you made a deposit.

It's also a "downside" to encourage/abet people in breaking the law; in turning a residential or agricultural neighborhood into a commercial one in violation of the zoning; and in contributing to locals resenting tourists.

But as I said before, I realize poeple don't care about techinicalities like "the law," or local/tourist harmony, and I cannot force anyone to grow a conscience.

bennyb - I guess you didn't read the sarcastic tone in my last post - I totally agree with you - illegal rentals are not good for the community for many reasons and I for one would not knowingly support any by renting from them - I'd much rather rent from someone who cares enough about their community to do things the right way.

I understand private gates on beach accesses are now becoming controversial in Kailua. I understand places like L'Orange which are private lanes having gates, but Kailuana Loop is a public street and there should be a group of citizens pushing for the removal of their locked gated access. It is a public street and people should have public beach access. Since the City maintains the roads in Kainalu Park, the public should have access off Kailuana Loop.
Come on Jolie, let's get a group together to fight this elitist neighborhood from denying people access to the beach from this public street.